Patent ID: 7886099

Claim:
A system memory module comprising: a bus connector that places the system memory module on a dedicated system memory bus in a personal computer when the bus connector is engaged; at least one volatile memory chip that couples to the dedicated system memory bus through the bus connector; an interface circuit configured to hide the system memory module from the dedicated system memory bus when the system memory module is in a cloaked mode, and wherein the interface circuit is configured to enable access from the dedicated system memory bus when the system memory module is in a normal mode, wherein the system memory module enters the cloaked mode when the dedicated system memory bus is unpowered, and wherein the system memory module enters the normal mode in response to a command received via the access connector; and an access connector that supplies power to the at least one volatile memory chip when the dedicated system memory bus is unpowered, wherein the command is communicated to the access connector via an expansion bus in the personal computer.