Patent ID: 7779242
Filing Date: 2010-08-17
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method to reduce a total startup time during troubleshooting of hardware components in a data processing system, the computer-implemented method comprising: removing power from a set of one or more components in the data processing system to form a set of removed components; connecting a first component to the data processing system during a troubleshooting, wherein the first component belongs with the set of removed components; establishing a first startup mode for the first component, wherein the first startup mode is a minimum startup mode, wherein the minimum startup mode controls a minimum startup routine for future startups of the data processing system during the troubleshooting, wherein the minimum startup mode comprises one of an impact mode, a pass-once mode, and a no-test mode; initiating startup of the data processing system; responsive to the data processing system successfully completing startup, deactivating the data processing system; inserting a second component into the data processing system, wherein the second component belongs with the set of removed components; establishing a second startup mode for the second component, wherein the second startup mode is a second minimum startup routine belonging to the second component and wherein the second minimum startup mode comprises one of an impact mode, a pass-once mode, and a no-test mode; initiating a second startup of the data processing system, wherein the minimum startup mode for the first component is initiated in addition to the minimum startup mode for the second component, wherein the first component and the second component belong to the set of removed components; and repeating the removing of the power step, the connecting step, the establishing of a startup mode step, and the initiating step for subsequent components from the set of removed components until a condition occurs, wherein the condition indicates a faulty component in the data processing system has been located.