Patent ID: 7480824

Claim:
A method for controlling a start-up operation of a device, wherein said device includes a memory and an input-output port, said method comprising: powering-on said device: examining said memory to determine if a flag had been set prior to said powering-on said device, wherein said flag indicates one test selected from a plurality of predetermined tests other than a normal operating mode test to be performed on said device; in response to determining said flag has been set, performing said one test without enabling said input-output port; in response to determining said flag has not been set, enabling said input-output port for accepting a command; determining if a command is received from said input-output port; in response to determining a command has been received from said input-output port, selecting a test among a plurality of predetermined tests other than said normal operating mode test to administer to said device, wherein said selected test is specified by said command; and in response to said selecting, administering said selected test to said device; and, in response to determining a command has not be received from said input-output port, performing said normal operating mode test of said device.