Boot code verification and recovery

Abstract

A boot code storage device configured with computer instructions for executing a boot code validity check in response to a boot event to facilitate local recovery of a computer such as a network computer. In response to the boot event, such as powering up a computer in which the boot code storage device is located, an image of a boot code is copied from a first storage medium to the boot code storage device if the validity check is negative. Remaining portions of the boot code, including a start up sequence, are executed if the validity check is positive. In one embodiment, the boot code validity check determines the presence or absence of a boot code jumper in a motherboard to which the boot code storage device is connected. In the preferred embodiment, the boot code storage device comprises a flash memory device, preferably including a plurality of sectors. In the preferred embodiment, the boot code validity check is part of a boot block of the boot code residing in a first sector of the flash memory device. The boot block and boot code reside in contiguous memory of the boot code storage device in one implementation. The first storage medium from which the boot code is copied, in one embodiment, is a compact flash card configured with an image of the boot code.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.