Method and apparatus for providing improved diagnostic functions in a computer system

摘要

A memory module including a flash EEPROM memory array (17) designed to be joined to a memory bus (16) of a computer (10), BIOS processes including system status test processes stored in the array (17), diagnostic processes stored in the array (17) to provide data indicating malfunctions in the computer (10), accessing processes stored in the array (17) for calling the system status test processes and the diagnostic processes even though the computer fails to boot, and communication processes stored in the array (17) for transferring results produced by the system status test processes and the diagnostic processes for use in servicing the computer (10).