Automatic system recovery

An apparatus for executing a bootable image of memory, comprising:

• a first programmable memory adapted to include a plurality of bootable images, and also comprising a non-programmable boot-block portion;
• a second programmable memory adapted to include status information indicating which one of the plurality of bootable images is preselected;
• and
• a computer processor, operably coupled to the first and second programmable memories, adapted to execute the preselected bootable image.

A method of executing a bootable image of a memory in a computer system, comprising:

• preselecting one of a plurality of bootable images stored in memory which further comprises a non-programmable boot-block portion;
• testing the preselected bootable image;
• executing the preselected bootable image if the preselected bootable image successfully passes the test;
• and
• selecting a second bootable image stored in memory if the preselected bootable image fails the test.

A method of booting a computer system, comprising:

• preselecting one of a plurality of different bootable images stored in memory, said memory further comprising a non-programmable boot-block portion;
• testing the preselected bootable image;
• executing the preselected bootable image if preselected bootable image successfully passes the test;
• selecting a second different bootable image stored in memory if the preselected bootable image fails the test;
• testing the second bootable image;
• and aborting the boot process if the second bootable image fails the test.

A method of booting a computer system, comprising:

• preselecting one of a plurality of different bootable images stored in memory, said memory further comprising a non-programmable boot-block portion;
• preselecting an early system recovery option;
• determining if an immediately prior computer system boot operation was successful;
• and
• selecting a second bootable image stored in memory if the immediately prior computer system boot operation was not successful.

A method of booting a computer system, comprising:

• preselecting one of a plurality of bootable images stored in memory;
• said memory further comprising a non-programmable boot-block portion;
• preselecting an early system recovery option;
• determining if an immediately prior computer system boot operation was successful;
• selecting a second bootable image stored in memory if the immediately prior computer system boot operation was not successful;
• testing the second bootable image after it is selected and before it is executed;
• and aborting the boot process if the second bootable image fails the test;
• and wherein
• aborting the boot process includes storing an indicator in a further memory indicating that the computer system boot operation was not successful.

A method of booting a computer system, comprising:

• preselecting one of a plurality of different bootable images stored in first memory, said memory further comprising a non-programmable boot-block portion;
• preselecting an early system recovery option;
• determining if an immediately prior computer system boot operation was successful by reading an indicator from a further memory;
• and
• selecting a second bootable image stored in said first memory if the immediately prior computer system boot operation was not successful.

A computer system comprising:

• a bus;
• a processing unit operatively coupled to the bus;
• a first programmable memory operatively coupled to the bus and adapted to include a plurality of bootable images, said first programmable memory further comprising a non-programmable boot-block portion;
• and
• a second programmable memory operatively coupled to the bus and adapted to include status information indicating which one of the plurality of different bootable images is selected for loading at computer system start-up.