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US 8,898,412 B2Granted
Methods and systems to selectively scrub a system memory
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsLouis B. Hobson, Wael M. Ibrahim, Manuel Novoa
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Abstract
A computer system is provided, the computer system having a processor and a system memory coupled to the processor. The computer system also includes a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) in communication with the processor. The BIOS selectively scrubs the system memory during a shutdown process of the computer system.
Claims20
A computer system, comprising:
- a processor;
- system memory coupled to the processor;
- a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) executed by the processor;
- and
- an input/output (I/O) bridge coupled to the processor, wherein the I/O bridge traps a shutdown request and causes the system to enter a System Management Mode (SMM) so that the BIOS scrubs the system memory during the shutdown process;
- wherein the BIOS selectively scrubs the system memory during a shutdown process of the computer system.
3 more elements
A method, comprising:
- receiving, by a computer system, a shutdown request for the computer system;
- and
- performing, by the computer system, a memory scrub before the shutdown request is complete;
- and
- selectively clearing, by the computer system, a memory override (MOR) bit before the shutdown request is complete to prevent a memory scrub from being performed during a subsequent boot cycle;
- trapping a shutdown request, by an input/output (I/O) bridge, to cause a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) to scrub the computer system memory.
3 more elements
A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to:
- selectively execute memory scrub instructions, stored in a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), during a boot process and during a shutdown process of a computer system;
- execute, user interface instructions, stored in the BIOS, that enable a user to select whether a memory scrub is performed during the shutdown process;
- and
- wherein an input/output (I/O) bridge traps a shutdown request and causes the system to enter a System Management Mode (SMM) so that the BIOS scrubs the system memory during the shutdown process the memory scrub instructions are executed during a System Management Mode (SMM).
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.