computer system for implementing the system management mode the processor has extended

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a computer system which uses the extended system management mode(SMM) for virtually supporting peripheral equipment functions of hardware. ;SOLUTION: The SMM includes nesting of system management interruptions(SMI) for handling SMI events. An extended SMM is actualized by a computer system so as to support virtual system artchitecture(VSA) (simulated by an SMI routine) wherein peripheral hardware for, for example, a graphic and/or audio function is virtually available. The supporting of the virtual system architecture features (a) SMI nesting, (b) SMI trapping for memory (similar to I/O) access, (c) caching of both a VSA/SMI header and VSA/SMM software, and (d) the formation of a SMM area for storing a multiple SMI header at a programmable position.;COPYRIGHT: (C)1997,JPO