Method and system for automated technical support for computers

A method for automated support in a computer system having a controller chip set comprising the steps of:

• pressing a service button;
• setting a bit in a general purpose input register in said chip set;
• generating a first interrupt of a first type as a result of said bit being set;
• and
• determining whether or not said computer system is executing a booting sequence, wherein:
• if said computer system is executing said booting sequence, then initiating a service application at a predetermined point during said booting sequence, otherwise
• if said computer system is not executing said booting sequence, then generating an interrupt of a second type to initiate said service application.

A computer system comprising:

• a processor having at least one timer;
• a controller chip set;
• a system BIOS;
• an operating system for supporting computer system operations and for communicating with components of said computer system through said BIOS;
• a service button coupled with a general purpose input register in said chip set for setting said register to generating a first interrupt;
• an interrupt handler, said interrupt handler being coupled with said input register for receiving said first interrupt and processing said interrupt in a manner dependent on whether the computer is in a booting state or a non-booting state.

A computer system having a system BIOS and an operating system comprising:

• a service button connected to a general purpose input register in a controller chip set for setting a bit in said register to generate a first interrupt signal;
• an interrupt handler in said system BIOS for receiving said first interrupt signal and for initiating a second interrupt to said operating system to initiate a service application if said computer system is not executing a booting sequence;
• and
• interrupt handler code contained in said operating system for checking the status of said bit during said booting sequence and for initiating said service application if said bit has been set.