Systems and methods for CPU repair

A method for repairing a processor, said method comprising the steps of:

• determining that an allocated cache element associated with said processor is faulty and in need of repair;
• storing repair information into a non-volatile memory;
• storing a processor serial number;
• swapping in a spare cache element for said faulty allocated cache element during system reboot;
• reading a processor serial number from said processor;
• comparing the read processor serial number with the stored processor serial number;
• and
• clearing said repair information and said cache configuration from said non-volatile memory if the stored processor serial number does not match the read processor serial number.

A CPU cache element management system comprising:

• a CPU having a currently-used cache element and a spare cache element;
• a cache management logic operable to:
• determine whether currently-used cache elements are faulty and store a CPU serial number;
• swap in said spare cache element for said currently-used cache element during a system reboot;
• read a CPU serial number from said CPU;
• and compare the read CPU serial number with the stored CPU serial number;
• and
• a non-volatile memory operable to store cache configuration, repair information and CPU serial numbers, wherein said repair information and said cache configuration are removable from said non-volatile memory if the stored CPU serial number does not match the read CPU serial number.

A method for managing a computer system having an operating system comprising the steps of:

• monitoring a cache element on a CPU for a cache error;
• recording cache error information upon occurrence of said cache error in a non-volatile memory;
• determining whether said cache element is faulty based on said cache error information;
• storing cache element repair information and CPU serial number in said non-volatile memory;
• generating a system reboot;
• reading a CPU serial number from said CPU;
• comparing the read CPU serial number with the stored CPU serial number;
• reading burned cache fuse data from said CPU if the stored CPU serial number does not match the read CPU serial number;
• storing said read burned cache fuse data into said non-volatile memory if the stored CPU serial number does not match the read CPU serial number;
• reading said cache configuration and from said non-volatile memory;
• determining if a spare cache element is available if said cache element is faulty during said system reboot;
• swapping in said spare cache element if said spare cache element is available and said cache element is faculty during said system reboot;
• and
• updating cache configuration in said non-volatile memory.

A processor comprising:

• a plurality of first memory portions;
• a plurality of second memory portions;
• a non-volatile memory on said processor;
• logic for determining whether a first memory portion is faulty;
• logic for storing memory portion error information, repair information, a processor serial number, and configuration in said non-volatile memory;
• and
• logic for replacing the faulty first memory portion with a second memory portion during a system reboot;
• logic for reading a processor serial number from said processor;
• logic for comparing the read processor serial number with the stored processor serial number;
• and
• logic for clearing said repair information and said cache configuration from said non-volatile memory if the stored processor serial number does not match the read processor serial number.

A processor comprising:

• a first cache means configured for high-speed information storage and retrieval from the processor;
• a second cache means for high-speed information storage and retrieval;
• a non-volatile memory on said processor;
• means for determining whether any portion of the first cache means configured for high-speed information storage is faulty;
• means for storing cache error information, repair information, a processor serial number, and cache configuration in said non-volatile memory;
• and
• means for replacing the faulty portion of the first cache means with at least a portion of the second cache means for high-speed information storage and retrieval during a system reboot;
• means for reading a serial number from said processor;
• means for comparing the read processor serial number with the stored processor serial number;
• and
• means for clearing repair information and said cache configuration from said non-volatile memory if the stored processor serial number does not match the read processor serial number.