CN100492291C - Computer system with instant start function and processing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for instantly starting up a computer system. A hot key is pressed to start a computer system, and a flag corresponding to the hot key is set. And starting the basic input/output system of the computer system to load and start the mini-boot program. Then the small boot program determines the value of the flag. If the flag value is the first flag value, the kernel program corresponding to the first operating system is read and the first operating system is started. If the flag value is the second flag value, the BIOS loads and starts the boot management program, and the boot management program reads the kernel program corresponding to the second operating system and starts the second operating system.

Description

Computer system with instant-on function and processing method thereof

technical field

The present invention relates to a computer booting program, and in particular to a booting program of a computer system with an instant start function.

Background technique

Instant Play (Instant Play) technology has been widely used in computer systems, which can make traditional computer systems start up as quickly as household appliances. Computers with the instant-on function are generally called multimedia audio-visual computers, that is, the computer system has the functions of general audio-visual appliances, such as playing music, movies, and TV programs, or recording music and videos without starting the operating system of the computer system. etc.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the steps of a conventional instant-on computer system method. Firstly, start a computer system by means of a quick key (step S11). Then, the central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU) of this computer system loads the necessary hardware information (step S12) of this computer system by means of the basic input/output system (BIOS) of this computer system, and then stores it in a boot disk drive The boot management program in the system is loaded into the storage medium storing the BIOS (step S13). Next, the BIOS uses the boot management program to generate a boot menu (step S14), and then obtains the location of the kernel (Kernel) of one of the selected operating systems according to user input (step S15), then loads and Execute the kernel to start the boot program corresponding to the selected operating system (step S16).

Another kind of boot program is to place a mini loader in the read-only memory for storing the BIOS, and set a shortcut key corresponding to the operating system or application program to be started. When the user presses the quick key, a flag corresponding to the quick key will be set, and when the computer system starts and enters the BIOS to perform hardware initialization, the small boot program automatically judges the status of the flag and performs corresponding operations. If it is determined that the user intends to start the Linux operating system or other application programs, the Linux kernel is automatically accessed to start the Linux operating system. If it is judged that the user wants to start the Windows operating system, then read and execute the boot management program stored in the boot disk drive, and make the boot management program access the Windows core to start the Windows operating system.

The disadvantages of the above boot procedure are as follows. Different manufacturers design the BIOS according to their own rules, which will make the boot process more complicated when the boot management program is introduced. In addition, the update of the basic input and output system has a greater risk in terms of system security. If an error occurs during the update process, the boot management program will also be damaged.

Therefore, the present invention discloses a method for instantly starting a computer system, which can solve the problems in the prior art.

Contents of the invention

In view of this, the object of the present invention is to provide a computer system with an instant-on function, which can be started quickly and avoid damage to the boot program during firmware update.

Based on the above purpose, one aspect of the present invention provides a method for instantly starting a computer system. First, press a quick key to start a computer system, and set a flag corresponding to the quick key. Start the BIOS of the computer system to load and start the small boot program. Then the small boot program judges the value of the flag. If the flag value is the first flag value, read the kernel program corresponding to the first operating system and start the first operating system. If the flag value is the second flag value, the BIOS loads and starts the boot management program, and the boot management program reads the kernel program corresponding to the second operating system and starts the second operation system.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a computer system with an instant start function, which includes a plurality of quick keys, a first storage medium, a second storage medium, and a basic input/output system. The BIOS is set in the first storage medium, and is used for setting a flag corresponding to a quick key and loading and starting the small startup program when a quick key is triggered according to a user operation. The small boot program judges the value of the flag, if the flag value is the first flag value, then reads the kernel program corresponding to the first operating system and starts the first operating system, if the flag value is the If the second flag is set, the BIOS loads and starts the boot management program, and the boot management program reads the kernel program corresponding to the second operating system and starts the second operating system.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the steps of a conventional instant-on computer system method.

FIG. 2 is a structural diagram showing a computer system with an instant-on function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram showing an instant-on computer system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the method steps of the instant-on computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

In order to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, preferred embodiments are listed below and described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The embodiment of the present invention discloses a computer system with an instant-on function and a processing method thereof.

FIG. 2 is a structural diagram showing a computer system with an instant-on function according to an embodiment of the present invention. The computer system 100 includes a central processing unit 200, a first storage medium 300, and a second storage medium 400, wherein the first storage medium 300 is generally a flash read-only memory (Flash Read Only Memory, ROM), which stores a basic I/O system 350 . A boot management program 410 and a mini loader are stored in the main boot region (Master Boot Record, MBR) (not shown) of the second storage medium 400 . Next, the booting procedure of the computer system 100 will be described. In addition, the second storage medium 400 further includes a first operating system 430 and a second operating system 450 . The first storage medium 300 also stores a first flag value and a second flag value corresponding to the first and second operating systems. In the embodiment of the present invention, the second storage medium 400 is generally a bootable disk drive, and the boot management program 410 is stored in the first magnetic area on the 0th magnetic column and the 0th magnetic head of the bootable disk drive.

The user presses a shortcut key (not shown) on the keyboard 500 to start the computer system 100, and then the central processing unit 200 executes the BIOS 350 stored in the first storage medium 300 and sets a flag corresponding to the shortcut key mark. Next, the BIOS 350 activates the hardware devices of the computer system 100 , and then the CPU 100 utilizes the BIOS 350 to load and start a small boot program.

Next, the small boot program judges the value of the flag. If the flag value is the first flag value, the central processing unit 100 reads the flag value and searches for an operating system corresponding to the first flag value (usually an embedded operating system, i.e. the first The core location of the operating system). After finding the kernel of the operating system, the central processing unit 100 loads the kernel, and starts the boot program corresponding to the operating system.

If the flag value is the second flag value, the BIOS 350 loads and starts the boot management program 410 according to the master boot record (MBR) stored in the first magnetic sector of the second storage medium. Then the central processing unit 100 reads the core location of the operating system corresponding to the second flag value (that is, the second operating system) by means of the boot management program 410, then loads the core, and starts the boot program corresponding to the operating system.

The flag can be set in the second storage medium 400 (boot disk drive) or any storage medium. If it is set in the boot disk drive, it is also set in the first magnetic zone on the 0th magnetic column and the 0th magnetic head like the master boot record.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the method steps of the instant-on computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method for instantly starting a computer system in the embodiment of the present invention is applicable to a computer system, the computer system includes at least a first storage medium and a second storage medium, and the second storage medium includes a first operating system and a second storage medium. operating system. A basic input/output system (BIOS) is set in the above-mentioned first storage medium, a small boot program (mini loader) and a boot management program are set in the main boot magnetic region (MBR) of the above-mentioned second storage medium, and corresponding A plurality of quick keys of the above-mentioned first and second operating systems define a first flag value and a second flag value.

First, press a quick key to start the computer system, and set a flag corresponding to the quick key (step S21). Start the BIOS of the computer system to load and start the small boot program (step S22). Then the small boot program judges the value of the flag (step S23). If the flag value is the first flag value, read the kernel program corresponding to the first operating system and start the first operating system (step S24). If the above-mentioned flag value is the above-mentioned second flag value, then the above-mentioned BIOS loads and starts the above-mentioned boot management program (step S25), and then the boot management program reads the core program corresponding to the above-mentioned second operating system and starts the above-mentioned The second operating system (step S26).

The present invention discloses that it is not necessary to load the boot management program into the storage medium storing the BIOS to execute the boot program, so there is no need to worry about the problem of possible damage when the BIOS is updated. If you want to update the boot management program, you can use an update program in a general operating system (such as a Windows operating system). This update method is relatively simple and has no risk. And because the boot management program is not loaded into the storage medium storing the BIOS, there is no need to worry about the compatibility problem caused by the BIOS designed by different manufacturers, and the verification burden required for program debugging can be reduced.

In addition, the method of the embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in different storage media (such as hard disk, system memory, etc.), and can be implemented in different types of computer devices (such as desktop computer, portable computer, multimedia computer, etc.), and So that when designing a new system, the basic input and output system will not cause the designer's burden.

Although the present invention has been disclosed above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person familiar with the art may make various equivalent changes or modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims of the application.

Claims (10)

1. A method for instantly starting a computer system, which is applicable to a computer system, the computer system comprising at least a first storage medium and a second storage medium, and the second storage medium comprises a first operating system and A second operating system, comprising the following steps: setting a basic input/output system in the first storage medium; setting a small boot program and a boot management program in the main boot sector of the second storage medium; Corresponding to the first and second operating systems, respectively setting quick keys and defining a first flag value and a second flag value; pressing one of the quick keys to start the computer system, and setting a flag corresponding to the quick keys; start the BIOS of the computer system to load and start the small boot program; The small boot program judges the value of the flag; If the flag value is the first flag value, then read the kernel program corresponding to the first operating system and start the first operating system; if the flag value is the second flag value, the BIOS loads and starts the boot management program; and The boot management program reads the kernel program corresponding to the second operating system and starts the second operating system. 2. The method for instantly starting a computer system according to claim 1, wherein the boot management program is stored in the first magnetic area of the 0th magnetic column and the 0th magnetic head of the second storage medium . 3. The method for instantly starting a computer system according to claim 2, wherein the flag is set on the first magnetic area of the second storage medium. 4. The method for instantly starting a computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first operating system is a Linux operating system. 5. The method for instantly starting a computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second operating system is a Windows operating system. 6. A computer system with an instant-on function, comprising: a first storage medium storing a first flag value and a second flag value; A second storage medium, which includes a first operating system and a second operating system and has a main boot sector, wherein the main boot sector includes a small boot program and a boot management program; The quick keys respectively set corresponding to the first operating system and the second operating system are used to start the application program of the corresponding operating system; and A BIOS, which is set in the first storage medium, is used for setting a flag corresponding to the quick key and loading and starting the quick key when a quick key is triggered according to a user operation. Small boot program; Wherein, the small boot program judges the value of the flag, if the value of the flag is the first flag value, then reads the kernel program corresponding to the first operating system and starts the first operating system , if the flag value is the second flag value, the BIOS loads and starts the boot management program, and the boot management program reads the kernel corresponding to the second operating system program and start the second operating system. 7. The computer system with an instant start function as claimed in claim 6, wherein the boot management program is stored in the 0th magnetic column and the 1st magnetic head on the 0th magnetic head of the second storage medium. magnetic area. 8. The computer system with an instant-on function as claimed in claim 7, wherein the flag is set on the first magnetic area of the second storage medium. 9. The computer system with instant-on function as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first operating system is a Linux operating system. 10. The computer system with instant-on function as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second operating system is a Windows operating system.

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