Patent ID: 6393492
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
In a computer system including a host computer which is operated using a particular operating system and a system BIOS, the computer system having system RAM associated with the host computer and a mass memory storage peripheral computer device which is connected to the host computer using a peripheral bus in which relocatable expansion BIOS location addresses are allowed, an arrangement for allowing the host computer to operate the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, the arrangement comprising:a) a loadable device driver including data address translating means for translating data address information communicated between the operating system and the mass memory storage peripheral computer device; and b) means for loading the loadable device driver into the system RAM during the start-up of the system for use during the operation of the system (i) such that the loadable device driver is in communication with the operating system in a way which does not require the system BIOS, any protocol translation, or any other type of data address translation mechanism to be provided between the loadable device driver and the operating system in order for the loadable device driver to communicate with the operating system and (ii) such that the loadable device driver is in communication with the mass memory storage peripheral computer device through the peripheral bus in a way which does not require the system BIOS, any protocol translation, or any other type of data address translation mechanism to be provided between the loadable device driver and the mass memory storage device in order for the loadable device driver to communicate with the mass memory storage device.