Creating boot code image on a storage medium

Abstract

A method of creating a boot code image in which a computer is configured to fail a boot code creation bypass test. When the bypass test is subsequently executed, an image of a boot code stored in a boot code storage device is copied to a first storage medium. Preferably, the computer is configured to fail the bypass test by inserting at least one jumper in a motherboard of the computer. The boot code creation bypass test is preferably executed in response to a boot event, such as a system power on or reset. In the preferred embodiment, the bypass test comprises a portion of a boot block portion of the boot code. In one embodiment, the boot code is stored to a compact flash card. A flash memory device including a plurality of sectors is used as the boot code storage device. In one embodiment, the boot block and boot code creation bypass test reside in a first sector of the flash memory device while the remaining portions of the boot code including a start up sequence reside in subsequent sectors. The invention further contemplates a boot code storage device configured with instructions for executing a boot code creation bypass test in response to a boot event. If the bypass test fails, the boot code copies an image of a boot code from the boot code storage device to a first storage medium. If the bypass test passes, the boot code executes a start up sequence to bring the computer to a predetermined initial state.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.