Initializing apparatus, initializing method, computer product, and information processing apparatus

The present invention relates to an initial setting device, an initial setting method, an initial setting program, and an information processing device. In particular, an initial setting device for stably operating the information processing device by setting memory parameters suitable for starting at low temperature and high temperature. It relates to an initial setting method, an initial setting program, and an information processing device.

Conventionally, an initialization device that initializes a memory parameter of a main storage device when the information processing apparatus is started is known. In such an initialization device, before the operating system is started and the memory parameters of the main storage device are set, a preset constant value is initialized as the memory parameters of the main storage device, and the information processing device is started. Was there.

In general, information processing devices have abnormal memory access during startup and operation because the memory parameter settings of the main storage device are not suitable for low-temperature or high-temperature environments even within the guaranteed temperature range. Operational abnormalities such as not starting often occur. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional technique for stably starting a program after the temperature of the information processing device reaches a preset temperature when the temperature at the time of starting the information processing device is lower than the guaranteed temperature. There is.

<patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 62-247417</text></patcit>

<p> However, this conventional technique is a technique for stably operating the information processing device when the temperature is outside the guaranteed temperature range, and even if the temperature of the information processing device is within the guaranteed temperature range, the memory parameters of the main storage device can be set. Since it is not suitable for a low temperature or high temperature environment, there is a problem that an abnormality occurs in the memory access at the time of startup and during operation, and the operation abnormality of not starting cannot be solved.</p><p> The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems caused by the prior art, and is an initial setting device for stably operating an information processing device by setting memory parameters suitable for a low temperature or high temperature environment. It is an object of the present invention to provide a setting method, an initial setting program, and an information processing device.</p>

<p> In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention<u style="single">An initial setting device that initializes the memory parameters of the main storage device when the information processing device is started, and is a threshold for associating the temperature threshold at the time of starting the information processing device with the memory parameters. A data holding means corresponding to a memory parameter, a temperature history data holding means for holding a temperature history when the information processing device does not operate normally, and a temperature acquiring means for acquiring the temperature at the time of starting the information processing device. Based on the startup temperature acquired by the temperature acquisition means and the temperature history held by the temperature history data holding means, the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data held by the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data holding means is described as described above. It is characterized by including a memory parameter initial setting means for selecting and setting a memory parameter of the main storage device.</u></p><p> In addition, the present invention<u style="single">This is an initial setting method for initializing the memory parameters of the main storage device when the information processing device is started, and is a threshold for associating the temperature threshold at the time of starting the information processing device with the memory parameters. The memory parameter-corresponding data holding step, the temperature acquisition step of acquiring the temperature at the start of the information processing apparatus, the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data held by the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data holding means, and the temperature acquisition means. It is characterized by including a memory parameter initial setting step of setting the memory parameter based on the temperature at the time of startup.</u></p><p> In addition, the present invention<u style="single">An initial setting program that initializes the memory parameters of the main storage device when the information processing device is started, and is a threshold for associating the temperature threshold at the time of starting the information processing device with the memory parameters. The memory parameter-corresponding data holding procedure, the temperature acquisition procedure for acquiring the temperature at the start of the information processing apparatus, the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data held by the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data holding means, and the temperature acquisition means. It is characterized in that a computer is made to execute a memory parameter initial setting procedure for setting the memory parameter based on the temperature at the time of startup.</u></p><p> In addition, the present invention<u style="single">An information processing device that initially sets the memory parameters of the main storage device at startup, and holds threshold memory parameter-corresponding data that associates the temperature threshold at startup of the information processing device with the memory parameters. A holding means, a temperature history data holding means for holding a temperature history when the information processing device does not operate normally, a temperature acquiring means for acquiring the temperature at the time of starting the information processing device, and the temperature acquiring means. Based on the start-up temperature acquired by the data holding means and the temperature history held by the temperature history data holding means, the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data held by the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data holding means of the main storage device is used. It is characterized by including a memory parameter initial setting means for selecting and setting a memory parameter.</u></p>

<p> According to such an invention<u style="single">Threshold for associating the memory parameter with the temperature threshold at the time of starting the information processing device Holds the data corresponding to the memory parameter, holds the temperature history when the information processing device does not operate normally, and holds the temperature at the time of starting the information processing device. Was acquired, and based on the acquired startup temperature and the retained temperature history, it was decided to select and set the memory parameter of the main memory from the retained threshold memory parameter corresponding data, so the low temperature The information processing device can be operated stably by setting memory parameters suitable for high-temperature startup.</u></p>

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the initial setting device, the initial setting method, the initial setting program, and the information processing device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Embodiment 1] First, the concept of the software configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a concept of a software configuration of an information processing device according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the information processing device, system software such as BIOS (BASIC INPUT OUTPUT SYSTEM), device driver, and operating system are used to execute application software based on the user's request. The wear group shares the functions. The BIOS has a POST (POWER ON SELF TEST) processing function that initializes peripheral devices such as the main memory, HDD, keyboard, and display before the operating system and device drivers operate when the information processing device starts up. There is.

The POST processing function is an important function for stably starting the main storage device by setting memory parameters such as the latency and strength of the main storage device. Specifically, the main memory of the main storage device is used. Initialize the memory parameters in the controller registers.

Latency is the number of clocks used for synchronization when data is sent to the main storage device, and the number of clocks increases as the temperature becomes lower or higher. Therefore, the BIOS acquires the temperature of the information processing device and sets a large number of clocks when the temperature becomes low or high so that the main storage device can operate stably. Further, the strength is a set value related to the waveform formation of the memory line of the main storage device, and the rising edge of the waveform of the memory line collapses as the temperature becomes lower or higher. Therefore, the BIOS acquires the temperature of the information processing device and adjusts the strength when the temperature becomes low or high, so that the main storage device operates stably.

As described above, in the first embodiment, since the temperature at the time of starting the information processing apparatus is acquired and the memory parameters such as latency and strength are set based on the temperature, it is suitable for starting at low temperature and high temperature. The information processing device can be operated stably by setting the memory parameters.

Next, the functional configuration of the information processing device at the time of starting the initial setting device according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information processing device at the time of starting the initial setting device according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus 200 includes an input unit 205, an output unit 210, an input / output unit 215, a main memory control unit 220, a main memory unit 221 and an auxiliary memory control unit 230, and an auxiliary unit. From the storage unit 231, the temperature acquisition unit 240, the initial setting unit 250, the threshold memory parameter compatible data holding unit 260, the temperature history data holding unit 270, the threshold memory parameter compatible data updating unit 280, and the control unit 290. Become.

The input unit 205 is a processing unit that inputs a user's request instruction to an information processing device and inputs data, and specifically, is an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch pen. The output unit 210 is a processing unit that outputs and displays the processing result of the information processing device, and specifically, is an image display device such as a CRT or an LCD, a printer, or the like. The input / output unit 215 is a device that inputs / outputs data, and specifically, is a device having an FDD and a serial parallel interface.

The main memory control unit 220 is a processing unit that controls the input / output of data of the main memory unit 221. The main storage unit 221 is a storage unit that stores data and programs. Specifically, it is a memory that electrically stores data such as DRAM. The data access speed is fast, but the data disappears when the power is turned off. To do. The auxiliary storage control unit 230 is a processing unit that controls the input / output of data of the auxiliary storage unit 231. The auxiliary storage unit 231 is a storage unit that stores data and programs. Specifically, it is a memory that magnetically stores data such as an HDD. The data access speed is slow, but the data can be stored even when the power is turned off. Be retained.

The temperature acquisition unit 240 is a processing unit that acquires the temperature at the time of starting the information processing apparatus, and specifically includes a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature and a temperature processing circuit. For example, a thermistor or platinum sensor is attached to the CPU board to measure the temperature. The initial setting unit 250 sets the memory parameters of the main storage device based on the temperature. Specifically, the memory parameter updated based on the temperature history held by the temperature history data holding unit 270 is set.

The threshold memory parameter-corresponding data holding unit 260 is a storage unit that holds the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data that associates the threshold value of the temperature at the start of the information processing apparatus with the memory parameter. The temperature history data holding unit 270 is a storage unit that holds the temperature history when the information processing apparatus has not operated normally in the past.

Here, an example of the threshold memory parameter corresponding data set by the initial setting device shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of threshold memory parameter corresponding data set by the initial setting device shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data includes the first set value and the first set value for each of the low temperature to low temperature threshold value 3, low temperature threshold value 2, low temperature threshold value 1, normal temperature, high temperature threshold value 1, high temperature threshold value 2, and high temperature threshold value 3, respectively. 2 Set value and 3rd set value are set. This takes into account variations in memory parameter settings, apart from temperature dependence. The initial setting device acquires the set value of the memory parameter that has not operated normally in the past from the temperature history data, and selects and sets the memory parameter excluding the set value.

For example, if the guaranteed temperature of the information processing device is -20 ° C to 50 ° C, the low temperature threshold 3 is -10 ° C or less, the low temperature threshold 2 is 0 ° C or less, and the low temperature threshold 1 is 10 ° C or less. Set memory parameters suitable for these temperature ranges, with normal temperature of 10 ° C to 20 ° C, high temperature threshold value of 20 ° C or higher, high temperature threshold value of 30 ° C or higher, and high temperature threshold value of 40 ° C or higher. .. Further, these memory parameters are set based on the data acquired in the temperature test performed at the time of development of the information processing apparatus.

The threshold memory parameter-corresponding data update unit 280 is a processing unit that updates the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data held by the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data holding unit 260 based on the temperature history held by the temperature history data holding unit 270. The control unit 290 is a processing unit that controls the entire information processing device 200, and receives a user's request to control the data flow of each processing unit.

Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing device at the time of starting the initial setting device shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a hardware configuration of the information processing device at the time of starting the initial setting device shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the information processing device 200 includes a CPU 400, a bus 410, a CPU / PCI bridge 420, a main storage device 422, a display controller 430, a display 431, a PCI / ISA bridge 440, and auxiliary storage. It consists of a device 443, an initialization device 444, a keyboard controller 450, a keyboard / mouse 451 and an I / O controller 460, and an FDD / serial parallel port 461.

The CPU 400 is a processing device that controls the entire information processing device 200, reads instructions from a memory such as the main storage device 422, and executes the operations described in the instructions. Specifically, the temperature sensor 401 and the temperature. It has a processing circuit 402. The temperature sensor 401 is a temperature sensor such as a thermistor or a platinum sensor. Specifically, the temperature sensor 401 is attached to the substrate of the CPU 400 to measure the temperature. The temperature processing circuit 402 is a circuit that digitally processes the output signal of the temperature sensor 401 and converts it into temperature.

The bus 410 is a transmission line for exchanging commands and data between each component of the information processing device, and is generally a high-speed bus connecting the CPU 400 and the main storage device 422, a display 431, and an auxiliary storage device. A low-speed ISA (PERIPHERAL COMPONENT INTERCONNECT) bus that connects fast peripherals such as 443 and initialization device 444 to slow peripherals such as keyboard / mouse 451 and FDD / serial parallel port 461. INDUSTRIAL STANDARD ARCHITECTURE) Divided into buses.

The CPU / PCI bridge 420 is a bridge circuit that controls a main storage device 422 and the like and connects a high-speed bus and a high-speed PCI bus. Specifically, it has a main storage controller 421. The main storage controller 421 is a processing unit that controls the operation of the main storage device 422. Specifically, the main storage controller 421 is based on memory parameters such as latency and strength set in the registers of the main storage controller 421. Control the operation.

The display controller 430 is a control device that controls the output of data on the display 431. The display 431 is a device that displays the output data of the information processing device 200. The auxiliary storage device 443 is a magnetic recording type auxiliary storage device, and holds, for example, an operating system, application software, and the like. The initial setting device 444 is a device that performs initial settings of the main storage device 422 and peripheral devices when the information processing device is started.

The PCI / ISA bridge 440 is a bridge circuit that controls an auxiliary storage device 443 and the like and connects a high-speed PCI bus and a low-speed ISA bus. Specifically, it has an auxiliary storage controller 441 and a non-volatile memory 442. The auxiliary storage controller 441 is a processing unit that controls the operation of the auxiliary storage device. Further, the non-volatile memory 442 is a storage unit having a small capacity of about 256 bytes, and specifically, holds data corresponding to threshold memory parameters and temperature history data.

The keyboard controller 450 is a control device that controls data input by a keyboard / mouse based on a USB (UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS) interface. The keyboard / mouse 451 is a device for inputting data to an information processing device. The I / O controller 460 is a controller that controls data input / output of peripheral devices connected to the FDD / serial parallel port. FDD / serial parallel port 461 is a port for connecting a flexible disk or a peripheral device.

Next, the processing procedure for changing the setting of the threshold memory parameter based on the temperature measurement at the time of starting the initial setting device shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for changing the setting of memory parameters based on the temperature measurement at the time of starting the initial setting device shown in FIG.

First, when the power of the information processing device 200 is turned on (step S501), the initialization device 444 is started (step S502). At this time, for example, the mode setting screen as shown in FIG. 6 appears. When [Use] is selected in the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data item in Fig. 6, the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data in Fig. 6 is enabled, and when [Do not use] is selected, the default value is set. The user selects whether or not to use the threshold memory parameter corresponding data (step S503). If the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data is not selected for the memory parameter (step S503 negative), the initialization device 444 sets the default value for the memory parameter and proceeds to start the OS / application. On the other hand, when the threshold memory parameter corresponding data is selected as the memory parameter (step S503 affirmative), the initialization device 444 acquires the temperature by the temperature sensor 401 (step S504).

Further, in order to determine whether or not the temperature measurement is the first temperature acquisition after the power is turned on, the temperature history data holding unit 270 is examined (step S505). As a result, when the temperature measurement is the first temperature acquisition after the power is turned on (step S505 affirmative), the acquired temperature is stored in the non-volatile memory 442, that is, the temperature history data holding unit 270 (step S506). On the other hand, if the temperature measurement is not the first temperature acquisition after the power is turned on (step S505 negative), the initialization device 444 checks whether the information processing device started normally last time (step S507). ..

As a result, if the information processing device 200 did not operate normally last time (step S507 denied), if the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data held in the threshold memory parameter-corresponding data holding unit 260 did not operate normally. Select except for the memory parameter of, and set it in the register of the main memory control unit 220 (step S508). Then launch the operating system / application (step S510). At this time, the threshold memory parameter corresponding data is updated except for the memory parameter in the case where the operation was not performed normally last time.

On the other hand, if the information processing apparatus 200 operates normally last time (step S507 affirmative), the memory parameter suitable for the temperature is selected from the acquired temperature and the data holding unit 260 corresponding to the threshold memory, and the main memory control unit 220 Set to the register (step S509). Then launch the operating system / application (step S510).

As described above, according to the present invention, it is determined that the temperature at the time of starting the information processing device is acquired and the memory parameter of the main storage device is set based on the temperature, so that it is suitable for a low temperature or high temperature environment. The information processing device can be operated stably by setting the memory parameters.

In addition, since it is decided to hold the threshold memory parameter correspondence data that associates the temperature threshold value at the time of starting the information processing device with the memory parameter, the information processing device can be set by setting a memory parameter suitable for a low temperature or high temperature environment. It can be operated stably.

In addition, since it is decided to retain the temperature history when the information processing device does not operate normally, the information processing device can be stabilized by setting highly reliable memory parameters backed by past temperature history data. Can be operated.

Further, since the data corresponding to the threshold memory parameter is updated based on the temperature history, the information processing apparatus can be operated stably by setting a highly reliable memory parameter supported by the past temperature history data. Can be done.

[Embodiment 2] By the way, the initial setting device and the initial setting method described in the first embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer system such as a personal computer or a workstation. it can. Therefore, in the second embodiment, an information processing device that executes an initial setting program having the same function as the initial setting device described in the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram showing the configuration according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main body in this computer system. As shown in FIG. 7, the computer system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 101, a display 102 for displaying information such as an image on a display screen 102a according to an instruction from the main body 101, and this computer. The system 100 includes a keyboard 103 for inputting various information and a mouse 104 for designating an arbitrary position on the display screen 102a of the display 102.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the main body 101 of the computer system 100 is flexible with a CPU 121, a RAM 122, a ROM 123, a hard disk drive (HDD) 124, and a CD-ROM drive 125 that accepts a CD-ROM 109. An FD drive 126 that accepts a disk (FD) 108, an I / O interface 127 that connects a display 102, a keyboard 103, and a mouse 104, and a LAN interface 128 that connects to a local area network or wide area network (LAN / WAN) 106. To be equipped.

Further, the computer system 100 is connected to a modem 105 for connecting to a public line 107 such as the Internet, and another computer system (PC) 111 and a server 112 via LAN interface 128 and LAN / WAN 106. In addition, a printer 113 and the like are connected.

Then, the computer system 100 realizes the initialization device by reading and executing the initialization program recorded on a predetermined recording medium. Here, the predetermined recording medium includes a "portable physical medium" such as a flexible disk (FD) 108, a CD-ROM109, an MO disk, a DVD disk, a magneto-optical disk, and an IC card, as well as a computer system 100. Internal and external hard disk drives (HDD) 124, "fixed physical media" such as RAM122 and ROM123, public lines 107 connected via modem 105, other computer systems 111, and servers 112 are connected. It includes any recording medium that records an initialization program that can be read by the computer system 100, such as a "communication medium" that holds the program in a short period of time when the program is transmitted, such as LAN / WAN106.

That is, the initial setting program is recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as the above-mentioned "portable physical medium", "fixed physical medium", and "communication medium", and the computer system 100 By reading the initial setting program from such a recording medium and executing it, the initial setting device and the initial setting method are realized. The initialization program is not limited to being executed by the computer system 100, and the initialization program is not limited to being executed by another computer system 111 or the server 112, or when they cooperate with each other to execute the initialization program. The present invention can be similarly applied to the case where the above is performed.

As described above, the initial setting device, the initial setting method, the initial setting program, and the information processing device according to the present invention are suitable for an information processing device that operates stably in a low temperature or high temperature environment.

<figref num="1">FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a concept of a software configuration of an information processing device according to the first embodiment.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information processing device at the time of starting the initial setting device according to the first embodiment.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of threshold memory parameter corresponding data set by the initial setting device shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a hardware configuration of the information processing device at the time of starting the initial setting device shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for changing the setting of memory parameters based on the temperature measurement at the time of starting the initial setting device shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="6">FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a mode setting screen at the time of starting the initial setting device shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="7">FIG. 7 is a system configuration showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.</figref><figref num="8">FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main body of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.</figref>