Automated system setup entry

#The present invention relates to information handling systems, and more particularly to system setup of information handling systems.

#As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.

#Initiating operation of a computer system is referred to as “booting” (or “rebooting”) the computer system. The computer system is booted in response to an event (“boot event”). Such a boot event may be, for example, a user “turning on” the computer system (e.g. the user causing application of electrical power to the computer system by switching an on/off button of the computer system). Alternatively, such a boot event may be receipt by the computer system of a command to initially execute the operating system software. For example, the computer system may receive such a command from the user (e.g. through an input device), or from a computer application executed by the computer system, or from another computer system (e.g. through a network).

#The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element.

#FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an information handling system in accordance with the present invention.

#FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of the automated system setup entry system in accordance with the present invention.

#Referring to FIG. 1, an information handling system 100, such as a computer system, includes a processor 102 coupled to a memory 104 via a bus 106. The memory 104 includes a volatile portion 110 as well as a non-volatile portion 112. The non-volatile portion 112 includes a random access portion 120 (e.g., a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM)) as well as a read only portion 122 (e.g., a read only memory ROM). The non-volatile random access portion 120 may include a plurality of persistent storage locations 128. The read only portion 122 includes a basic input output system (BIOS) 130 for the information handling system 100.

#BIOS 130 includes the system programs for the basic input and output operations and represents the software interface to the hardware of the computer system. BIOS 130 includes automated system setup entry module 140 which allows a user to automatically access the system setup program.

#For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.