Information processing device, method of saving and loading data, and information recording medium

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, a method of saving and loading data, and an information recording medium. A volatile memory means of an information processing device of this invention stores data in a volatile manner. A nonvolatile memory means stores data in a nonvolatile manner. A determination means determines a cause of a reset which has been generated. A saving means saves the data stored in the volatile memory means into the nonvolatile memory means when the cause of the reset is a specified cause, and operation of the information processing device is stopped by a stopping means. A loading means loads the data stored in the nonvolatile memory means to the volatile memory means when the cause of the reset is not a specified cause, and operation of an operating system of the information processing device is started by a starting means. A program which implements the information processing device is recorded on an information recording medium.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An information processing device having a processor which executes a loader in accordance with a reset vector which exists in a fixed address, 
 wherein the loader saves data necessary for copying hardware information which is obtained as a result of a power-on self test, and for activating an operating system, and data from an operation history of the loader itself which is necessary when the loader is next operated, in an independent memory region which does not affect the power-on self test and the operating system, and    the reset vector is revised by input/output of a cryptographic code, and then processing is executed in the operating system.    
     
     
         2 . An information processing system having a loader which is arranged as a process independent from an operating system in order to activate the operating system, 
 wherein when the activation of the operating system is successful, the loader suspends operation in a state which is protected from the operating system, and when the operating system is completed by a processor suspension, a reset, or jumping to a unique entry for completion, the loader restarts operation based on system information which was obtained during activation and executes shutdown processing and informs a user of the operation state by using a man machine interface.    
     
     
         3 . An information processing device having a processor and an auxiliary memory whose access speed is lower than that of a memory, 
 wherein data conversion is performed to data stored in the memory after a sequencing process is performed which facilitates repetition of the same data, and    when a reset or shutdown request is generated, backup is performed within an actual processing time in which the processor transfers data to the auxiliary memory, without holding the processed data in the memory.    
     
     
         4 . The information processing system as set forth in  claim 3 , 
 wherein when the backup data is recovered, reverse conversion is performed, premised upon the conversion processing having been performed, and the data reappears in the memory.    
     
     
         5 . An information processing device, in which data for activating an operating system is divided into sections, having a header including an address and size information, and in which the format is fixed, 
 wherein a dummy section is added and divided into unused regions which do not affect the operating system, based on memory map information in which the developing address is separately prepared, and this dummy section is used for information recording especially for the user.    
     
     
         6 . An information processing device which performs power management of a peripheral device by a BIOS (Basic Input/Output Control System), 
 wherein when the system is completed, the BIOS code is set in a usable state by resetting a processor, while maintaining a memory content, and    during the resetting, a state of the peripheral device is maintained, and a power source of the peripheral device is turned off in accordance with the BIOS code.    
     
     
         7 . An information processing system in which a content of an operating system program disk described in a ROM execution format is copied to a RAM and executed, 
 wherein a device that becomes unnecessary at a stage at which the operating system is completely copied to the RAM is recorded as structure information in advance, and    a loader calls a power source control routine held by the BIOS, at a stage at which the operating system is completely copied to the RAM, and hands control over to the operating system after the power source of the unnecessary device is turned off with reference to the structure information.