Patent ID: 6173412
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An apparatus equipped with a writeable/nonvolatile memory comprising:a Read-Only Memory (ROM);a writeable and nonvolatile memory device that stores an operation setting value;a determination device that determines whether there is a change in storage content of the ROM when powered on;a first writing device that initializes the memory device by writing an initial value stored in the ROM into the memory device if the determination device determines that there is a change in storage content of the ROM; anda second writing device, separate from the first writing device, that writes into the memory device a value to be used in order to determine whether there is a chance in storage content of the ROM, wherein the determination device compares a checksum value stored in the ROM and a value stored in a predetermined area in the memory device when powered on and, if the checksum value differs from the value stored in the predetermined area, the determination device determines that the ROM has been changed.