CN100412795C - Method for starting computer system using storage card - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a method for starting a computer system using a memory card, which is applied to a computer system. The computer system has a memory card reading device, a control circuit, and a basic input/output system memory. The steps of the method include providing a memory card storing a basic input/output system; placing the memory card into the memory card reading device and selecting to start the computer system with the memory card; the control circuit disabling the basic input/output system memory of the computer system; and the control circuit reading the basic input/output system of the memory card to start the computer system.

Description

How to Start a Computer System Using a Memory Card

(1) Technical field

The invention relates to a method for starting a computer system, especially a method for using a memory card to start a computer system.

(2) Background technology

In today's computer architecture, the Basic Input-Output System (BIOS) is the most basic software for basic computer operations. The BIOS is mainly composed of the computer's low-level instruction set, which provides the most basic hardware testing, defines the characteristics of the computer, and handles basic tasks when the computer is running. For example, when the computer is turned on, it executes the computer's boot self-test, interprets the signal sent by the keyboard, and transmits information with the connection port, etc. Therefore, the initial operation of the computer when it is turned on is based on the contents of the BIOS. If there is a problem with the BIOS, the computer cannot perform tests such as memory card, hard disk, and central processing unit as soon as the computer is turned on, making the computer unable to boot smoothly. .

Also because the BIOS has such an important position in the computer system, generally speaking, we will burn the program instruction set of the BIOS in a memory card that can last for a long time without power supply, such as flash read-only memory (FlashROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), etc., and build such BIOS memory card on the motherboard of the computer, Its contents are not affected by the power supply and its contents can be permanently preserved.

However, the content of the BIOS memory card is not completely error-free. When the circuit structure of the BIOS memory card degrades over time, or is damaged by viruses, its content may be lost or errors may occur, causing the computer to boot. An error occurs when executing the BIOS program instruction set, thus causing the computer to fail to complete the booting process.

The method known on the market to prevent viruses from destroying the BIOS memory card is to use two BIOS memory cards, one of which is a backup BIOS memory card, and its memory card writing function is permanently disabled. When the main BIOS memory card is damaged by a virus, The backup BIOS memory card is responsible for turning on the computer. This design not only requires two BIOS memory cards, but also takes up more space on the motherboard.

(3) Contents of the invention

The main purpose of the present invention is to use the basic input and output system stored in the IC memory card to start the computer system, without increasing the space of the motherboard of the computer system, and the remaining space of the IC memory card can also be used as data storage.

Another object of the present invention is to realize the functions of system security and portable operating system by storing the password and operating system in the IC memory card,

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for booting a computer system using a memory card.

The method for starting a computer system using a memory card according to one aspect of the present invention is applied to a computer system, and the computer system has a memory card reading device, a control circuit, and a basic input/output system memory, wherein the control circuit passes through An interface selected from one of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) and Low Pin Count (Low Pin Count, LPC) is connected to a chipset and the BIOS memory of the computer system, and the The steps of the method include: providing a memory card storing a basic input/output system; inserting the memory card into the memory card reading device; activating a power-on selection signal for selecting the memory card to start the computer system; transmitting the A boot selection signal is sent to the control circuit; the control circuit disables the BIOS memory of the computer system; and the control circuit reads the BIOS of the memory card to start the computer system.

According to the above idea, wherein the control circuit uses the memory card to start the computer system through the control of a boot selection signal.

According to the above idea, wherein the power-on selection signal is activated through a specific key on the computer system panel.

According to the above idea, wherein the control circuit is electrically connected to the memory card reading device.

According to the above idea, wherein the control circuit is electrically connected to a power supply of the computer system.

According to the above idea, the power supply is a power supply capable of providing standby power.

According to the above idea, the power supply is a power supply conforming to the ATX specification.

According to the above idea, wherein the power supply is electrically connected to a motherboard of the computer system.

According to the above idea, the memory card is a Secure Digital (SD) card.

According to the above design, wherein the memory card is a memory stick (Memory Stick, MS).

According to the above idea, the memory card is a multimedia memory card (Multi Media Card, MMC).

According to the above idea, the steps of the method further include: storing a first password in the control circuit; storing a second password in the memory card; the control circuit reading the second password of the memory card, and The second password is compared with the first password; and when the second password is equal to the first password, the control circuit reads the BIOS of the memory card to start the computer system.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for using a memory card to start a computer system as a portable operating system is applied to a computer system, the computer system has a memory card reading device and a control circuit, and the The steps of the method include providing a memory card storing a BIOS and an operating system; inserting the memory card into the memory card reader; the control circuit reading the BIOS of the memory card to start the computer system; and the control circuit reads the operating system of the memory card to operate the computer system, making the memory card a portable operating system.

According to the above idea, the control circuit is connected to a chipset of the computer system through a low pin count interface (Low Pin Count, LPC).

According to the above idea, the control circuit is connected to the chipset of the computer system through a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI).

According to the above idea, wherein the control circuit is electrically connected to the memory card reading device.

According to the above idea, wherein the control circuit is electrically connected to a power supply of the computer system.

According to the above idea, the power supply is a power supply capable of providing standby power.

According to the above idea, the power supply is a power supply conforming to the ATX specification.

According to the above idea, wherein the power supply is electrically connected to a motherboard of the computer system.

According to the above idea, the memory card is a Secure Digital (SD) card.

According to the above design, wherein the memory card is a memory stick (Memory Stick, MS).

According to the above idea, the memory card is a multimedia memory card (Multi Media Card, MMC).

(4) Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention using an IC memory card to start a computer system.

(5) specific implementation

There are many different IC memory cards on the market, such as Secure Digital (SD), Memory Stick (MS), Multi Media Card (MMC), etc. Bus (Universal Serial Bus, USB) interface for access, its main function is data storage. And the present invention is exactly to utilize IC memory card, through Low Pin Count interface (Low Pin Count, LPC) or peripheral part connection interface (Peripheral Component Interconnect, PCI) (all interfaces that can directly access computer basic input and output system memory) It is used as a backup of the computer's basic input and output system memory (BIOS Memory) to prevent the computer's basic input and output system memory from being unable to boot due to computer viruses or man-made damage.

Please refer to Fig. 1, it is the circuit block diagram of using memory card to start computer system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and this computer system comprises a motherboard 12, a power supply 11, a control circuit 13, and a storage card reading device 15 . Wherein, the motherboard 12 is provided with a chipset 121 and a BIOS memory 122, the chipset 121 and the BIOS memory 122 are electrically connected to the control circuit 13 through the LPC or PCI interface, and the control The circuit 13 is also electrically connected to the power supply 11 and the memory card reading device 15 respectively. The power supply 11 can provide a standby power to the motherboard 12 and the control circuit 13 , and the memory card reading device 15 is used to read an IC memory card 14 .

Above-mentioned this IC memory card 14 stores a basic input-output system, when this basic input-output system memory 122 of this computer system is because computer virus or man-made destruction cause when booting, user can put this IC memory card 14 at this moment. Insert the memory card reading device 15, and press a specific key (not shown) on the panel of the computer system to activate a boot-up selection signal (Boot-up Select). After the user presses the specific button, the power-on selection signal is sent to the control circuit 13. After receiving the power-on selection signal, the control circuit 13 will first send a disable signal (Disable) to disable the computer system. The BIOS memory 122, and then read the BIOS stored on the IC memory card 14 to start the computer system.

Another function of the present invention is to store a password in the BIOS memory (now there is no BIOS memory on the motherboard or it is disabled forever), when the IC memory card is inserted into the memory card reading device At this time, the control circuit will first read the password in the IC memory card, and then turn on the computer system after the comparison is correct, so as to achieve the function of system security. The steps are as follows (please refer to Figure 1):

First, provide an IC memory card 14 storing a second password and a BIOS. Next, the IC memory card 14 is set in the memory card reading device 15 . Then, the control circuit 13 will read the second password stored on the IC memory card 14, and compare the second password with a first password stored on the control circuit 13, when the second When the password was equal to the first password (password comparison is correct), the control circuit 13 would read the BIOS stored on the IC memory card 14, and the PSON sent by the chipset 121 this moment # will turn to low, and then start the power supply 11 to supply power to the motherboard 12 of the computer system to realize the start-up operation of the computer system.

The above-mentioned control circuit 13 blocks the PSON# transmitted by the chipset 121, only when the second password is equal to the first password, PSON# will turn to low, and the computer system can also complete the start operate. And if the second password is not equal to the first password (password comparison is incorrect), PSON# is high, so that the power supply 11 cannot be started, so the computer system cannot be started.

The IC memory card 14 used in the present invention can also store an operating system (such as DOS, WINDOWS, etc.), so after the computer system completes the start-up operation, the IC memory card 14 stored on the computer can be read immediately. The operating system makes the IC memory card 14 as convenient as a portable operating system.

In summary, the present invention utilizes the basic input/output system stored in the IC memory card to start the computer system, without increasing the space on the motherboard of the computer system, and the remaining space of the IC memory card can also be used as data storage. In addition, the password and operating system stored in the IC memory card can also realize the functions of system security and portable operating system, effectively improve the lack of conventional technology, so it has industrial value, and then achieves the purpose of developing the present invention.

Claims (8)

1. A method for starting a computer system using a memory card, applied in a computer system, the computer system has a memory card reading device, a control circuit, a basic input and output system memory, wherein the control circuit is selected through a One of the interface from the peripheral part connection interface and the low-pin-count interface is connected to a chipset of the computer system and the BIOS memory, and it is characterized in that the method includes the following steps: providing a memory card storing a BIOS; inserting the memory card into the memory card reader; activating a power-on selection signal is used to select the memory card to start the computer system; transmitting the power-on selection signal to the control circuit; the control circuit disables the BIOS memory of the computer system; and The control circuit reads the BIOS of the memory card to start the computer system. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit starts the computer system with the memory card through the control of a boot selection signal, and the boot selection signal is passed through the computer system panel A specific key to activate. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is electrically connected to the memory card reading device. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is a power supply electrically connected to the computer system. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the power supply is: a power supply capable of providing standby power; An ATX compliant power supply; or Electrically connected to a motherboard of the computer system. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the memory card is: Secure Digital Card; memory stick; or Multimedia memory card. 7. method as claimed in claim 1, is characterized in that, the method also comprises the following steps: storing a first password in the control circuit; storing a second password in the memory card; The control circuit reads the second password of the memory card, and compares the second password with the first password; and When the second password is equal to the first password, the control circuit reads the BIOS of the memory card to start the computer system. 8. A method for using a memory card to start a computer system and as a portable operating system, applied in a computer system, the computer system has a memory card reading device and a control circuit, it is characterized in that the method includes The following steps: providing a memory card for storing a basic input/output system and an operating system; inserting the memory card into the memory card reader; reading the BIOS of the memory card through the control circuit to start the computer system; and The operating system of the memory card is read by the control circuit to operate the computer system, so that the memory card becomes a portable operating system.

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