Patent ID: 8132253

Claim:
A method for authenticating security override signals to unlock a programmable memory on a computer motherboard, comprising: generating a security override signal for a programmable memory using a software based signal or a physical override mechanism, the programmable memory being coupled to a computer motherboard for a computer system and having a lockable portion; receiving the security override signal at control circuitry coupled to the programmable memory; sending an unlock signal from the control circuitry to the programmable memory based upon receipt of the security override signal; authenticating the unlock signal by determining whether or not the computer system is in a manufacturing mode utilizing an asset tag for the computer system to determine if the computer system is in the manufacturing mode, wherein the asset tag is stored in the programmable memory and wherein the control circuitry is configured to access the asset tag; and unlocking the lockable portion of the programmable memory if the computer system is determined to be in the manufacturing mode.