Computer device and boot method thereof

A computer device and a boot method thereof are provided. The method is applicable to a computer with a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) and an Operating System (OS). The computer includes a chassis and a memory. In the boot method, after the computer is started, it is judged whether the chassis is opened in an interval from the last boot time to the current boot time. If the chassis is not opened in the interval from the last boot time to the current boot time, the BIOS does not detect hardware elements connected to the computer to obtain setting and parameter values of each hardware element, but reads directly the setting and parameter values of each hardware element that are stored in the memory last time, initializes each hardware element, transmits the setting and parameter values to the OS, and executes the OS to complete the boot process.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No. 102101677 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on 2013, Jan. 16, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a computer device and a boot method thereof, and in particular, to a computer device and a boot method thereof capable of shortening the boot time.

2. Related Art

Once a computer is started, a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) in the computer executes a series of instructions, such as detecting basic hardware elements mounted on a main board, reading information in a memory and judging whether the operation is normal, and detecting information of apparatuses connected to connection ports of the computer main board, and then stores and displays the information on a display screen, for a user to learn about the current state of the computer. If the operation is normal, the BIOS searches for an Operating System (OS) stored in a storage device, and starts the OS to complete the boot process.

In a normal use state of a desktop computer, a notebook computer, or other handheld devices, a hardware unit is rarely changed in a boot interval. In a process from starting the device to displaying an OS execution image, the device is set, before being delivered from the factory, so that the instructions of the BIOS in the computer must all be executed each time when the device is booted. As a result, it takes a lot of time to perform hardware scanning and detection, so that the boot time is longer than that acceptable to a user, and the start speed of the computer is limited and cannot be effectively increased.

SUMMARY

A computer device and a boot method thereof are provided. The method is applicable to a computer with a BIOS and an OS. The computer includes a chassis and a memory. The boot method of the computer system includes: after the computer is started, judging whether the chassis is opened in an interval from the last boot time to the current boot time. If the chassis is opened in the interval from the last boot time to the current boot time, the BIOS detects hardware elements connected to the computer to obtain setting and parameter values of each hardware element, initializes each hardware element, and stores the setting and parameter values of each hardware element in the memory. Then, the BIOS transmits the setting and parameter values of each hardware element to the OS, and executes the OS to complete the boot process.

If the chassis is not opened in the interval from the last boot time to the current boot time, the BIOS does not detect the hardware elements connected to the computer to obtain the setting and parameter values of each hardware element, but reads the setting and parameter values of each hardware element that are stored in the memory last time, initializes each hardware element, transmits the setting and parameter values of each hardware element to the OS, and executes the OS to complete the boot process.

In order to change the hardware element mounted on a main board of the computer, it is necessary to open the chassis to implement the change. Consequently, if the chassis is not opened in an interval when the computer is booted twice, it is considered that the hardware element is not changed. In this case, the setting and parameter values of each hardware element that are recorded during the last boot time may be read directly, and it is not necessary to re-scan and re-detect the hardware unit, in order to shorten the boot time.

A BIOS marking method of a computer system is provided, which is applicable to a computer with a BIOS, the computer including a memory. The BIOS marking method of the computer system includes: after the computer is started, judging whether the setting of a hardware element in the BIOS is changed, and if the setting of the hardware element is changed, the BIOS writing marking information corresponding to the hardware element in the memory.

In a normal use state, the BIOS is rarely changed. Even if a setting interface of the BIOS is entered, it is unnecessary to change the setting and parameter values of the hardware element. However, after withdrawing from the setting interface of the BIOS and re-entering a boot process, it usually takes a lot of time to perform hardware re-scanning and re-detection, so that the boot time is longer than that acceptable to a user, and the start speed of the computer is limited and cannot be effectively increased. If the marking information corresponding to the changed hardware element is written into the memory through the BIOS marking method, when a boot process is re-entered, the time spent in scanning and detecting all the hardware elements by the BIOS is reduced, in order to shorten the boot time.

A boot method of a computer system is provided, which is applicable to a computer with a BIOS and an OS on the basis of a BIOS marking method, the computer including a memory. The boot method of the computer system includes: after entering a boot process, judging whether the memory stores marking information. If marking information is written into the memory, the BIOS detects a hardware element corresponding to the marking information to obtain setting and parameter values of the hardware element, initializes the hardware element, and stores the setting and parameter values of the hardware element in the memory. For the hardware element not corresponding to the marking information, the BIOS initializes the hardware element by using the setting and parameter values of the hardware element that are stored in the memory last time, transmits the setting and parameter values of the hardware element to the OS, and executes the OS to complete the boot process.

If no marking information is written into the memory, the BIOS initializes the hardware element by using the setting and parameter values of the hardware element that are stored in the memory last time, transmits the setting and parameter values of the hardware element to the OS, and executes the OS to complete the boot process.

If the marking information corresponding to the changed hardware element is written into the memory through the BIOS marking method, when a boot process is entered, only the changed hardware element is detected, thereby shortening the boot time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a flow chart of a boot method of a computer system according to a first embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 2is a rear view of a computer, andFIG. 3is a schematic architectural view of the computer. Please refer toFIG. 1toFIG. 3, in which the disclosed method is applicable to a computer10with a BIOS13and an OS14, the computer10including a chassis11, a memory, and an auxiliary power source15. The method includes the following steps.

Step S01: Switch on a power source.

A power button of the computer is pressed to switch on the power source, so that the power source supplies power to each hardware apparatus for operation.

Step S02: Judge whether the chassis is opened in an interval from the last boot time to the current boot time.

After the power source is switched on, the computer10judges whether the chassis11is opened in the interval from the last boot time to the current boot time. If the chassis11of the computer10is opened in the interval from the last boot time to the current boot time, Step S03is performed. If the chassis11of the computer10is not opened in the interval from the last boot time to the current boot time, Step S07is performed.

Step S03: The BIOS detects hardware elements connected to the computer.

If the chassis11is opened in the interval from the last boot time to the current boot time, no matter whether the hardware element in the chassis11is changed or not, the BIOS13detects each hardware element connected to the computer10. Here, the detection executed by the BIOS is a Power-on System Test (POST), including: detecting information about at least one Random Access Memory (RAM) connected to the computer10, or detecting information about each apparatus connected to the computer10.

Step S04: Initialize each hardware element, and store setting and parameter values of each hardware element in the memory.

After Step S03is completed, the setting and parameter values of each detected hardware element are stored in the memory, and initialization of each hardware element is synchronously completed. Generally, when booted for the first time, the computer performs the POST, and stores a detection result in the memory, so that the detection result can be read directly and used subsequently.

Step S05: Transmit the setting and parameter values of each hardware element to the OS.

The setting and parameter values of each hardware element are transmitted to the OS14, so that the user can browse or control the setting and parameter values of each hardware element through the OS14subsequently.

Step S06: Execute the OS.

A storage device inside the computer stores at least one OS, and only when the setting of each hardware element is correct, that is, the setting and parameter values of each detected hardware element are all correct, the system can execute the OS14to complete the boot process. The OS14here is a user interface installed in the computer, for example, a conventional OS such as a WINDOWS system or LINUX.

Step S07: Read the setting and parameter values of each hardware element that are stored in the memory last time, and initialize each hardware element.

During the judgment in Step S02, if the chassis11is not opened in the interval from the last boot time to the current boot time, it is considered that the hardware element in the chassis11is not changed. In this case, the BIOS13does not detect the hardware elements connected to the computer10to obtain the setting and parameter values of each hardware element, but read directly the setting and parameter values of each hardware element that are stored in the memory last time. That is, the POST is skipped, and the setting and parameter values of each hardware element that are stored in the memory after the previous POST are read directly. Then, Step S05is performed to transmit the setting and parameter values of each hardware element to the OS, and Step S06is performed to execute the OS, in order to complete the boot process. In this way, the step of scanning and detecting the hardware elements by the BIOS13is omitted, thereby shortening the boot time.

Please refer toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, in which embodiment the memory is a volatile memory12, and the auxiliary power source15is electrically connected to the volatile memory12through a sensing switch16provided on the chassis11. In this embodiment, the auxiliary power source15is an independent power source and only used to supply power to the volatile memory12; while the power of other electronic elements of the computer is supplied by a main power source (a cell or a transformer power source). Then, an open circuit or a closed circuit is formed between the auxiliary power source15and the volatile memory12by opening or closing the chassis11. When the chassis11is opened, an open circuit is formed between the auxiliary power source15and the volatile memory12. In this case, since the auxiliary power source15cannot supply power to the volatile memory12, the setting and parameter values of each hardware element that are stored in the volatile memory12are deleted. By this means, after the computer10is started, it is first detected whether the volatile memory12stores the setting and parameter values of each hardware element, and if it is detected that the volatile memory12does not store the setting and parameter values of each hardware element, it is judged that the chassis is opened in the interval from the last boot time to the current boot time in Step S02.

Conversely, if the chassis11is not opened, the auxiliary power source15and the volatile memory12remain connected. Since the auxiliary power source15continuously supplies power to the volatile memory12, the setting and parameter values of each hardware element that are stored in the volatile memory12are not deleted. In this case, after the computer10is started, likewise, it is first detected whether the volatile memory12stores the setting and parameter values of each hardware element, and if it is detected that the volatile memory12stores the setting and parameter values of each hardware element, it is judged that the chassis is not opened in the interval from the last boot time to the current boot time in Step S02.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2, the sensing switch16is provided at a switch side of the chassis11to form an open circuit or a closed circuit between the auxiliary power source15and the volatile memory12by opening or closing the chassis11. The sensing switch16may be any switch capable of forming a closed circuit or an open circuit, such as an electromagnetic induction element, a physical switch, or a pressing switch, and the present invention is not limited thereto. The sensing switch16, the auxiliary power source15, and the volatile memory12form a closed loop. Therefore, after the chassis is opened, the sensing switch16is in an off-state, resulting in an open circuit between the auxiliary power source15and the volatile memory12.

Please refer toFIG. 2toFIG. 4.FIG. 4is a schematic architectural view of a computer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is applicable to a computer10with a BIOS13and an OS14, the computer10including a chassis11, a volatile memory12, and an auxiliary power source25. In the boot method of the computer system of this embodiment, the part identical to that in the first embodiment is not described herein again. Please refer toFIG. 1andFIG. 4, in which the auxiliary power source25of this embodiment is an independent power source, which is used in an ordinary computer to supply power to the BIOS13, thereby maintaining set values in the BIOS13. By this means, an original power source apparatus in the computer10may be directly used, and an independent power source does not need to be additionally mounted.

As shown inFIG. 4, the volatile memory12is electrically connected to the BIOS13, in order to provide setting and parameter values of each hardware element that are stored in the volatile memory12for the BIOS13. The volatile memory12and the auxiliary power source25are electrically connected to each other through a sensing switch16, so that the auxiliary power source25supplies power to the volatile memory12. Likewise, when the chassis11is opened, the sensing switch16forms an open circuit between the auxiliary power source15and the volatile memory12. In this case, the setting and parameter values of each hardware element that are stored in the volatile memory12may be deleted. In addition, since the sensing switch16is provided between the auxiliary power source25and the volatile memory12, the power supply from the auxiliary power source25to the BIOS13is not affected.

Please refer toFIG. 5andFIG. 6.FIG. 5is a rear view of a computer according to a third embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 6is a schematic architectural view of the computer in this embodiment. This embodiment is applicable to a computer10with a BIOS13and an OS14, the computer10including a chassis11, a memory22, and a detection element17. In the boot method of the computer system of this embodiment, the part identical to that in the first embodiment is not described herein again. Please refer toFIG. 1,FIG. 5andFIG. 6, in which embodiments, the detection element17is provided on the chassis11and is electrically connected to the memory22. When the chassis11is opened, the detection element17transmits detection information to the memory22for storage. The detection element17may be a micro-current detection switch, used to convert the current change into detection information and transmit the detection information to the memory22for storage, but the present invention is not limited thereto. After the computer is started, by detecting whether the memory22stores a detection signal, it is judged whether the chassis11is opened in an interval from the last boot time to the current boot time. When it is detected that the memory22stores the detection information, it is judged that the chassis is opened in the interval from the last boot time to the current boot time in Step S02.

If the chassis11is not opened, the detection element17does not transmit any information to the memory22. Therefore, in Step S02shown inFIG. 1, when it is detected that the memory22does not store the detection information, it is judged that the chassis is not opened in the interval from the last boot time to the current boot time.

Please refer toFIG. 7andFIG. 8.FIG. 7is a flow chart of a BIOS marking method of a computer system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 8is a schematic architectural view of a computer in this embodiment. The disclosed method of this embodiment is applicable to a computer10with a BIOS13and an OS14, the computer10including a memory22. The method includes the following steps.

Step S11: Switch on a power source.

A power button of the computer10is pressed to switch on the power source, so that the power source supplies power to each hardware apparatus for operation.

Step S12: Judge whether the setting of a hardware element in the BIOS is changed.

After the power source is switched on, the computer10first judges whether the setting of any hardware element in the BIOS13is changed. If the setting of any hardware element in the BIOS13of the computer10is changed, Step S13is performed. If the setting of no hardware element in the BIOS13of the computer10is changed, Step S14is performed.

Step S13: The BIOS writes marking information corresponding to the hardware element in the memory.

When the setting of the hardware element in the BIOS13is changed, the BIOS13writes marking information corresponding to the hardware element in the memory22. In this embodiment, a manner of writing marking information in the memory22may include: establishing a memory table corresponding to each hardware element in the memory22, and after the setting of any hardware element in the BIOS13is changed, writing marking information in the memory table at a position corresponding to the hardware element.

After entering a setting system in the BIOS13, no matter whether the hardware element is changed or not, the computer needs to be re-started to execute a normal boot process.

In a normal use state, the BIOS is rarely changed. Even if a setting interface of the BIOS is entered, it is unnecessary to change the setting and parameter values of the hardware element. However, after withdrawing from the setting interface of the BIOS and re-entering a boot process, it usually takes a lot of time to perform hardware re-scanning and re-detection, so that the boot time is longer than that acceptable to a user, and the start speed of the computer is limited and cannot be effectively increased. If the marking information corresponding to the changed hardware element is written into the memory through the BIOS marking method, when a boot process is re-entered, the time spent in scanning and detecting all the hardware elements by the BIOS is reduced, in order to shorten the boot time.

FIG. 9is a flow chart of a boot method of a computer system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Please refer toFIG. 8andFIG. 9, in which the disclosed method of this embodiment is applicable to a computer10with a BIOS13and an OS14on the basis of the marking method in the fourth embodiment, the computer10including a memory22. The method includes the following steps.

Step S21: Enter a boot process.

A power button of the computer10is pressed to switch on the power source, so that the power source supplies power to each hardware apparatus for operation, and a boot process is entered. Alternatively, after a setting interface of the BIOS13is entered, the boot process is re-entered.

Step S22: Judge whether the memory stores marking information.

After entering the boot process, the computer10first judges whether the memory22stores marking information. Through the description in the fourth embodiment, it is judged whether any marking information is written into the memory table in the memory22. If marking information is written into the memory22of the computer10, Step S23or Step S25is performed. If no marking information is written into the memory22of the computer10, Step S28is performed.

Step S23: The BIOS detects a hardware element corresponding to the marking information, and initializes the hardware element.

If the marking information is written into the memory22, the BIOS13detects the hardware element corresponding to the marking information, in order to obtain setting and parameter values of the hardware element and initialize the hardware element. Here, only the hardware element corresponding to the marking information in the memory22is detected, in order to obtain the setting and parameter values of the hardware element.

Step S24: Store the setting and parameter values of the hardware element in the memory.

After Step S23is completed, the setting and parameter values of the detected hardware element are stored in the memory. Here, the stored setting and parameter values of the hardware element are specific to the hardware element corresponding to the marking information written in the memory22, and are not specific to all the hardware elements.

Step S25: Initialize the hardware element by using the setting and parameter values of the hardware element that are stored in the memory.

The marking information is written into the memory22, but not all the hardware elements are changed, and the corresponding marking information is written into the memory. For the hardware element not corresponding to the marking information in the memory22, the BIOS13adopts the setting and parameter values that are stored in the memory22last time. Therefore, in Step S25, for the hardware element not corresponding to the marking information, the setting and parameter values of the hardware element that are stored in the memory22last time are adopted, and the hardware element is initialized by using the setting and parameter values. In this way, the BIOS13only detects the hardware element whose setting is changed, while does not detect the hardware element whose setting is not changed, and only reads the setting and parameter values that are stored in the memory22last time, thereby reducing the boot time required by the BIOS13and accelerating the boot process.

Step S26: Transmit the setting and parameter values of the hardware element to the OS.

The setting and parameter values of the hardware element are transmitted to the OS14, so that the user can browse or control the setting and parameter values of the hardware element through the OS14subsequently.

Step S27: Execute the OS to complete the boot process.

A storage device inside the computer stores at least one OS, and only when the setting of each hardware element is correct, that is, the setting and parameter values of each detected hardware element are all correct, the system can execute the OS14to complete the boot process. The OS14here is a user interface installed in the computer, for example, a conventional OS such as a WINDOWS system or LINUX.

Step S28: Read the setting and parameter values of the hardware element that are stored in the memory last time, and initialize the hardware element.

During the judgment in Step S22, if no marking information is written into the memory22, it is considered that the setting of the hardware element in the BIOS13is not changed. In this case, the BIOS13does not detect the hardware elements connected to the computer10to obtain the setting and parameter values of each hardware element, but initializes each hardware element by using the setting and parameter values of each hardware element that are stored in the memory last time. That is, the POST is skipped, and the setting and parameter values of each hardware element that are stored in the memory22after the previous POST are read directly. Then, Step S26is performed to transmit the setting and parameter values of each hardware element to the OS, and Step S27is performed to execute the OS, in order to complete the boot process. In this way, the step of scanning and detecting the hardware elements by the BIOS13is omitted, thereby shortening the boot time.