JP2000020285A - Computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a computer system which can be actuated in a desired state from the beginning of power-on operation. SOLUTION: A power source controller 14 monitors whether or not a select switch 141 is pressed while the system is not powered on, and then powers on the system and also informs a CPU 11 of which select switch 141 is pressed when the depression is detected. An operating system boot routine in a BIOS- ROM 13 which runs when the system is powered on decides an operating system to be actuated from the reported select switch 141, and loads the operating system recorded in a specific recording area (loader for loading the operating system onto a system memory 12 and actuating it) onto the system memory 12 and runs it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer system for exclusively and selectively activating a plurality of operating systems stored in different external storage areas.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various multifunctional personal computers having an AV function such as a CD (compact disk) player and a DVD (digital video disk) player have been developed. In this type of personal computer, a power switch for turning on the system is provided. When the system is turned on by pressing the power switch, the BI
OS (Basic Input Output Sys)
tem), after the system check and initialization processing, the BIOS causes the operating system (or the loader for loading the operating system to the main memory) stored in a predetermined area of the memory device to be set in advance. It is loaded into main memory and started.

[0003] By the way, as the number of functions increases, the functions to be provided in the operating system also become diversified, so that the operating system itself becomes a problem if it is used as it is. For this reason, it has begun to consider creating an operating system compactly for each purpose.

However, since the personal computer operates in the above-described procedure when the system power is turned on, when a plurality of operating systems are exclusively and selectively started on the same personal computer,
One of them has to be fixedly set as an operating system started when the system power is turned on (this is set as a first operating system), and the other operating system (set as a second operating system)
Operating system), the switching process must be performed under the first operating system after the first operating system has been started.

[0005]

In such a method,
After turning on the power switch, the operating system cannot be switched until the software is operable on the system. Therefore, even if it is desired to start the second operating system from the beginning, There has been a problem that extra work such as once activating the first operating system has to be spent.

When the storage area for storing the first operating system (and the loader for starting the first operating system) is damaged, the state of the second operating system is changed. Regardless, the system could not even be started.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a computer system capable of operating the system in a desired state from the beginning of power-on.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a computer system according to the present invention is provided with a selection switch for starting the system to a desired state, and the power of the system is turned on by pressing a power switch. Then, one of a plurality of operating systems is activated according to the pressing or state of the selection switch.

According to the computer system of the present invention, when the user presses a desired selection button among a plurality of selection buttons provided according to the application, for example, when the user presses the power button, the system power is initially turned on. It is possible to start the system in a desired state from, and even if one of the operating systems is in an unstartable state due to damage to the recording medium, other operating systems can be started without problems Becomes possible.

Further, the computer system according to the present invention stores the state at the time of the previous activation of the system, and if the selection switch is not pressed, restores the system to the stored state. It is desirable to start the operating system.

According to the computer system of the present invention, a user who keeps activating the system in the same state,
The operation of pressing the selection switch may be omitted.

In the computer system according to the present invention, an operating system to be started when the selection switch is not pressed is set in advance, and when the selection switch is not pressed, the set operating system is set. It is desirable to start.

According to the computer system of the present invention, for example, a user who mainly uses an operating system that manages a main function does not need to perform an operation of pressing a selection switch.

In the computer system according to the present invention, a selection switch for starting a system having a role of a power switch to a desired state is provided for each application, and the power of the system is turned on by pressing one of the selection switches. When it is done, the operating system associated with the selection switch is started. According to the computer system of the present invention,
Further, it is not necessary to press the power switch.

[0015]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, this computer system has a CP
U11, system memory 12, BIOS-ROM 13,
A power supply controller (PSC) 14, a magnetic disk drive (HDD) 15, a CD-ROM drive 16, a removable device 17, a DVD drive 18, a display controller 19, a keyboard controller 20, and the like are provided. It is connected to the. Power supply controller (PSC) 1
4 includes a plurality of selection switches 141 provided for each application.
Is connected. In the computer system, a user can select a system activation state by a selection switch 141 connected to the power supply controller (PSC) 14.

The CPU 11 controls the entire computer system, and stores application programs including an operating system and utilities stored in the system memory 12 and a BIOS-RO.
The execution of the system routine stored in M13 is controlled.

The system memory 12 is a memory device serving as a main memory of the computer system.
11 stores application programs including an operating system and utilities controlled by execution and processing data used for executing the application programs.

The BIOS-ROM 13 includes a system boot routine for starting various devices in the system, which is executed immediately after power-on of the system, a system check routine for checking various devices in the system,
A memory device that stores a system initialization routine for initializing various devices in the system, an operating system boot routine for starting an operating system (or a loader for loading the operating system into the system memory 12 and starting the operating system), and the like. It is.

A power supply controller (PSC) 14 centrally manages the power supply / shutoff of the computer system. When one of a plurality of selection switches 141 provided for each application is pressed, the system controller (PSC) 14 is turned on. Is turned on, and the CPU 11 is notified via the control signal line that the selection switch 141 has been pressed. Therefore, the selection switch 141 also has a role of a power switch.

The power supply controller (PSC) 1
4 outputs data for specifying the selection switch 141 to the system bus when the CPU 11 inquires which selection switch 141 has been pressed via the system bus in response to the notification. .

FIG. 2 shows the appearance of a housing (part) of the computer system in which the group of selection switches 141 is arranged. In this case, "PC1", "P"
C2, PC3, CD, DVD, and G
It is assumed that an option of “AME” is provided.

Among them, "PC1" to "PC3" are stored in recording media (or different recording areas on the same recording medium) associated with each other, such as a magnetic disk device (HDD) 15 and a removable device 17. Switch for starting the operating system.
That is, "PC1" to "PC3" are switches for operating this computer system as a personal computer on which a desired operating system operates. “CD” is a switch for activating an operating system having a minimum function necessary for controlling the operation of an application program for operating this computer system as a CD player, and “DVD” is a switch for starting this computer system. DVD system
This is a switch for starting an operating system having a minimum function necessary to control the operation of an application program operated as a player. An operating system (and a loader for loading the operating system into the system memory 12 and activating the operating system) corresponding to the switches “CD” and “DVD” includes a magnetic disk drive (HDD) 1
5 and stored in a predetermined area on the operating system. After the operating system starts, the operating system automatically executes an application program that operates the computer system as a CD player or an application program that operates as a DVD player. To start. And "GAME" is CD-RO
By executing the loader on the CD-ROM loaded in the M drive 16, a unique operating system stored in the CD-ROM is started.
Thereby, this computer system operates as a so-called game machine by an application program that runs under its own operating system.

Also, a magnetic disk drive (HDD) 15,
The CD-ROM drive 16 and the removable device 17 are memory devices serving as external storage of the computer system. On these memory devices, a plurality of operating systems that are exclusively started selectively (and the operating system 12 Loader for loading and starting).

The display controller 19
Is for driving and controlling a display such as a CRT connected as an output device, and the keyboard controller 20 is for driving and controlling a keyboard and a mouse connected as an input device.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the BIOS-ROM
13 will be described. As shown in FIG.
The S-ROM 13 stores the above-described system boot routine, system check routine, system initialization routine, and operating system boot routine, which are controlled by the CPU 11. The feature of the present invention is that the CPU 11
When executing the operating system boot routine, according to the data for specifying the selection switch 141 received from the power supply controller (PSC) 14, a plurality of operating systems stored in different external storage areas differ from each other. The point is to start any one of the operating systems (or a loader for loading these operating systems into the system memory 12 and starting them). Hereinafter, the operation procedure of the computer system of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the power supply controller (PSC) 14 of this embodiment. The power supply controller (PSC) 14 monitors whether or not all the selection switches 141 are pressed when the system is in a power-off state (step A1).
When any of the selection switches 141 is pressed (Yes in step A1), the system is first turned on (step A2). Then, the power controller (P
SC) 14 notifies the CPU 11 via the control signal line that the selection switch 141 has been pressed, and in response to this notification, the CPU 11 determines which selection switch 141 has been pressed via the system bus. When an inquiry is made, data for specifying the selection switch 141 is output to the system bus (step A).
3).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the BIOS of this embodiment. When the system is turned on by the selection switch 141 being pressed, first, a system boot routine in the BIOS is activated to start various devices in the system (step B1). When the activation of the various devices is completed, the system check routine in the BIOS is operated, and the activated various devices are inspected (step B2).

When the inspection of the various devices is completed, a system initialization routine in the BIOS is operated to initialize the inspected various devices (step B3).

When the initialization of the various devices is completed, the BIOS starts an operating system boot routine. When the operating system boot routine operates, first, the CPU 11 inquires of the power supply controller (PSC) 14 via the system bus which selection switch 141 has been pressed. On the other hand, the power supply controller (PSC) 14 having received the inquiry replies via the system bus which of the selection switches 141 has been pressed. Then, the CPU 11 receiving this response determines the operating system to be started from the pressed selection switch 141 (step B4), and the operating system recorded in the predetermined recording area (or the operating system is stored in the system memory). Loader for loading and activating the system memory 12)
It is loaded and activated (step B5).

As described above, according to the computer system of this embodiment, it is possible to start the system to a desired state by pressing the selection switch 141, and to make it impossible to start any operating system. If it does, other operating systems can boot without any problems.

In the example described above, the selection switch 14
Although the power switch 1 also has the role of a power switch, it is also effective to separately provide a power switch and have the power controller (PSC) 14 monitor whether the power switch is pressed. In this case, it is assumed that the selection switch 141 is pressed after the power switch is pressed. Further, in this case, the power supply controller (PSC) 14 selects the selection switch 141 that was previously pressed and the selection switch 141 that is considered to be pressed when none of the selection switches 141 is pressed.
(Default value). Hereinafter, the power supply controller (PSC) 14 in this case will be described.
Will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The power controller (PSC) 14 monitors whether or not the power switch has been pressed when the system is in the power-off state (step C1). When the power switch is pressed (Yes in step C1), First, the system is turned on (step C2). here,
The power supply controller (PSC) 14 applies an appropriate wait for a time sufficient for the user to operate the selection switch 141 (step C3), and after that wait, determines whether any of the selection switches 141 has been pressed. (Step C4).

The power supply controller (PSC) 14
When the CPU 11 recognizes that one of the selection switches 141 has been pressed (Yes in step C4), the CPU 11 notifies the CPU 11 via the control signal line that the selection switch 141 has been pressed, and in response to this notification, the CPU 11 When an inquiry is made via the system bus as to which selection switch 141 has been pressed, data for specifying the selection switch 141 is output onto the system bus (step C9).

On the other hand, when the pressing of any of the selection switches 141 is not recognized (No in step C4), the power supply controller (PSC) 14 holds the selection switch 141 which was previously pressed (step S4). C5
Yes), it is considered that the selection switch 141 pressed last time is also pressed this time (step C6), and the fact that the selection switch 141 is pressed is set to C via the control signal line.
PU11, and in response to this notification, C
PU 11 is connected to any of the selection switches 1 via the system bus.
When an inquiry is made as to whether or not the button 41 has been pressed, data for specifying the previously pressed selection switch 141 is output to the system bus (step C9).

The selection switch 141 pressed last time
Is not held (No in step C5), the power supply controller (PSC) 14 checks whether it holds the set default value (step C7), and holds the default value. If yes (Yes in step C7), it is considered that the selection switch 141 indicated by the previous default value has been pressed (step C8), and the fact that the selection switch 141 has been pressed is notified to the CPU 11 via the control signal line. And notify
In response to this notification, when the CPU 11 inquires via the system bus which selection switch 141 has been pressed, data for specifying the selection switch 141 indicated by the held default value is stored in the system bus. The information is output above (step C9).

If the default value is not held (No in step C7), the power supply controller (P
SC) 14 is one of the selection switches 141
Continue to wait for pressing.

As described above, even when the power switch is provided separately from the selection switch 141, the system can be started in a desired state as described above, and any operating system cannot be started. Even if it is in a state, other operating systems can be started without any problem.

[0038]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the user presses a desired selection switch among a plurality of selection buttons provided depending on the application, for example, while pressing the power switch. (Or by pressing a desired selection switch among a plurality of selection buttons having a role of a power switch), the system can be started in a desired state from the beginning of system power-on, and Even if one of the operating systems is in an unstartable state due to damage to the recording medium or the like, the other operating systems can be started without any problem.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary view showing a schematic configuration of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing the appearance of a housing (part) of the computer system in which the selection switch group of the embodiment is arranged.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view for explaining a configuration of a BIOS-ROM according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a power supply controller (P) according to the embodiment of the embodiment.
9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of SC).

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the BIOS according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the power supply controller (PSC) of the embodiment in a modified example of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 CPU, 12 system memory, 13 BIOS
-ROM, 14 ... Power supply controller (PSC), 15 ...
Magnetic disk drive (HDD), 16 CD-ROM drive, 17 removable device, 18 DVD drive, 19 display controller, 20 keyboard controller.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A computer system for exclusively and selectively activating a plurality of operating systems stored in mutually different external storage areas, a power switch, a selection switch for activating the system to a desired state, and the power supply Operating system activating means for activating one of the plurality of operating systems in response to pressing or a state of the selection switch when the power of the system is turned on by pressing a switch. Characterized computer system. 2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a boot state storage unit configured to store a state of the system at the time of previous boot, wherein the operating system boot unit is stored in the boot state storage unit when the selection switch is not pressed. 2. The computer system according to claim 1, further comprising means for starting any one of the plurality of operating systems in accordance with a state at the time of previous activation of the system. 3. The operating system activating means includes means for activating one of the plurality of operating systems specified in advance as a default when the selection switch is not pressed. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The operating system activation means, when the selection switch is not pressed down and the activation state storage means does not store the state at the time of the previous activation of the system, interprets the default when omitted. 3. The computer system according to claim 2, further comprising means for starting any one of the plurality of operating systems designated as. 5. A computer system for exclusively and selectively activating a plurality of operating systems stored in mutually different external storage areas, a plurality of selection switches having a role of a power switch for activating the system to a desired state. And when one of the plurality of selection switches is pressed to turn on the system, one of the plurality of operating systems is associated with the pressed selection switch. Computer system comprising: operating system starting means for starting one of the computer systems.