Patent ID: 7216189
Filing Date: 2007-05-08
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for supporting processors with or without 64-bit extensions using a single BIOS, comprising: creating a data structure having entries that correspond to elements in a state save area of SMRAM, some or all of the elements in the state save area being located at different addresses depending on whether or not a host processor includes 64-bit extensions, but all of the entries in the data structure being located at the same offsets within the data structure in either case, wherein the data structure comprises a data contents table; copying, upon entering SMM, memory contents from the state save area into the register contents table; during execution of an SMI handler routine, accessing one of the entries in the data structure when it is necessary to access contents of a corresponding one of the elements in the state save area; and prior to exiting SMM, copying memory contents from the register contents table into the state save area.