JPH0652012A - Information processor having diagnostic function for peripheral part of device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] Diagnosis of the peripheral parts of the device can be performed in parallel for each peripheral part, and the diagnosis time can be shortened. [Structure] By executing a diagnostic start command in order from the CPU 1 to the diagnostic circuits 4-1 to 4-n connected to the peripheral parts 2-1 to 2-n of the device when the power is turned on, etc. The start bit STB of the status registers 6-1 to 6-n in 1 to 4-n is set. Then, the diagnostic execution circuit 5
-1 to 5-n are activated, and the diagnostics specific to the corresponding device peripherals 2-1 to 2-n are executed in parallel. Diagnostic execution circuit 5-1 ~
The result of the diagnosis by 5-n is the status register 6-1 to 6-n.
Written in. The CPU 1 uses this status register 6
-By reading the contents of 1 to 6-n, the peripheral part of the device 2-1 to
Check if there are any errors in 2-n, and if all are error-free, start up the system.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a diagnostic function for peripheral parts of the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an information processing apparatus, diagnosis of a central portion and a peripheral portion of the apparatus is often performed at power-on. Among these, for the diagnosis of the peripheral part, that is, the peripheral device connected to the device or the control circuit for controlling the peripheral device, the diagnostic program created for each peripheral part diagnosis is loaded into the main memory in the device. , CP that is the center of the device
U was to execute sequentially for each peripheral according to the program.

[0003]

However, in recent information processing apparatuses, as the functions of the information processing apparatus have been improved and the peripheral parts thereof have also been improved in function, the conventional CPU in which the peripheral parts are sequentially diagnosed. The method has a problem that it takes a lot of time for diagnosis.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of diagnosing peripheral portions of the apparatus in parallel for each peripheral portion, thereby shortening the diagnosis time. is there.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, for each peripheral portion of an information processing apparatus, a diagnostic means for executing a diagnosis of the corresponding peripheral portion is provided, and a CPU forming the center of the apparatus is provided.
Is configured to execute a diagnostic start command to activate each diagnostic means.

Further, according to the present invention, as another configuration for starting each diagnostic means, a power-on detection means for detecting power-on is provided for each diagnostic means, and the corresponding diagnosis is made by detecting the power-on of this detection means. It is also characterized in that the means is activated.

Further, according to the present invention, each diagnosing means is provided with a status holding means for holding a diagnosis result for the corresponding peripheral portion, and the CPU reads the contents held in the status holding means of each diagnosing means. It is also characterized in that a diagnostic result for each peripheral portion by each diagnostic means is obtained.

[0008]

In the above structure, the CPU is a means for diagnosing the peripheral portion of each device, such as the peripheral portion of the device including the main memory and its control circuit, the peripheral portion of the device including the display device and its control circuit, when the power is turned on. Each diagnostic means is started by executing the diagnostic start command for. As a result, each of the diagnosis means executes a predetermined diagnosis specific to the peripheral part of the corresponding device in parallel with the peripheral part. During this time,
The CPU can also perform processing different from the diagnosis of the peripheral portion of the device, such as the diagnosis inside the CPU.

Further, in the configuration in which the power-on detection means is provided for each diagnostic means, the power-on detection of this detection means
The corresponding diagnostic means is activated, and the diagnostic operation by each diagnostic means is performed in parallel.

Each diagnostic means holds the diagnostic result for the peripheral part of the corresponding device in its own status holding means. The CPU reads the contents held in the status holding unit of each diagnosing unit, for example, in a fixed order, and confirms the result of the diagnosis for the peripheral portion of each device. Further, if each diagnostic means interrupts the CPU at the end of the diagnostic, the CPU can read the contents held in the status holding means of the corresponding diagnostic means in response to the interrupt.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing apparatus having a diagnostic function for peripheral parts of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a CPU 1 which is a control center of the apparatus and peripheral portions 2-1 2-2 ... 2-n of the apparatus.
, The system bus 3 to which the CPU 1 and the device peripheral parts 2-1, 2-2 ... 2-n are connected, and the device peripheral parts 2-1, 2-2 ... 2-n
It is composed of a diagnostic circuit 4-1, 4-2 ... 4-n for diagnosing.

The device peripheral section 2-1 comprises a main memory 11 and a main memory control circuit 12 for controlling the main memory 11. As described above, in the present embodiment, the main memory 11 and its control circuit (main memory control circuit) 12 are also positioned as peripheral parts of the device.

The device peripheral section 2-2 includes a display device 21, a display control circuit 22 for controlling the display device 21, and a VRAM (video RAM) 23 for storing a display image of the display device 21. Composed of. Device peripheral 2-n is
It is composed of a disk device n1 (such as a magnetic disk device) and a disk control circuit n2 for controlling the disk device n1. In FIG. 1, peripheral parts of other devices, for example, peripheral parts of each device such as the printing device and its control circuit, the keyboard device and its control circuit, and the like are omitted.

The diagnostic circuits 4-1 to 4-n are connected to the device peripheral section 2-1 to 2-1.
For 2-n, the diagnostic execution circuits 5-1 to 5-n for executing predetermined diagnostics unique to the peripheral parts 2-1 to 2-n and the diagnostic execution circuits 5-1 to 5-n. It has status registers 6-1 to 6-n for holding the diagnostic result of. The status registers 6-1 to 6-n have a start bit STB for activating the diagnostic execution circuits 5-1 to 5-n. The start bit STB is set by the CPU 1 executing the diagnostic start command. Also, status register 6-1
6-n are "starting bit STB", "diagnosis bit" for indicating that diagnosis is being executed, "timeout bit" for indicating occurrence of timeout, "error bit" for indicating an error, etc. (neither is shown) have. Next, the diagnosis of the peripheral part of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the CPU 1 issues a diagnostic start command (diagnostic start command) to the diagnostic circuits 4-1 to 4-n connected to the peripheral parts 2-1 to 2-n, for example, in advance when the power of the device is turned on. Execute in a defined order (steps S1-1 to S1)
-n). This diagnostic start command is a kind of I / O (input / output) write command, and is used as a peripheral device 2-i (i = 1 to 1).
It is instructed to set the start bit STB of the status register 6-i in the diagnostic circuit 4-i connected to n). That is, the CPU 1 sequentially executes the diagnostic start command to the diagnostic circuits 4-1 to 4-n, so that the start bit STB of the status registers 6-1 to 6-n in the diagnostic circuits 4-1 to 4-n. Set respectively.

When the start bit STB of the status registers 6-1 to 6-n is set, the diagnostic execution circuits 5-1 to 5-n in the diagnostic circuits 4-1 to 4-n are activated. As a result, the diagnostic execution circuits 5-1 to 5-n are set to the status registers 6-1 to 6
The "diagnosis bit" of -n is set to indicate that the diagnosis is being executed, and the diagnosis processing for the corresponding apparatus peripheral parts 2-1 to 2-n is executed in parallel. Diagnostic execution circuit 5-1 to 5-n
In this diagnostic processing, the
Only a predetermined diagnostic operation peculiar to each circuit in 2-n, that is, an operation that matches the test of the peripheral parts 2-1 to 2-n is executed. For example, when the diagnosis execution circuit 5-1 diagnoses the main memory 11 in the device peripheral section 2-1, the write / read / compare operation, that is, the test data is written to the main memory 11 for each successive address. The written data is read from the main memory 11 and the operation of comparing the read data with the test data is repeated.

The diagnostic result for the device peripheral portion 2-i of the diagnostic execution circuit 5-i in the diagnostic circuit 4-i (i = 1 to n) is written in the status register 6-i. For example, the "timeout bit" of the status register 6-i is set when a time-out occurs, and the "error bit" is set when an error occurs. When the diagnosis execution circuit 5-i completes the diagnosis of the device peripheral section 2-i, the status execution circuit 6-i
-Reset the "diagnostic bit" of i.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the CPU 1
Are connected to the peripheral parts 2-1 to 2-n of the diagnostic circuit 4-1 to
Simply execute the diagnostic start command for 4-n,
The diagnostic execution circuits 5-1 to 5-n in the diagnostic circuits 4-1 to 4-n are activated, and the circuit peripheral circuits 2-1 to 2-n are activated by the circuits 5-1 to 5-n.
The diagnostic operation of is performed. For this reason, the CPU 1 operates in parallel with the diagnostic operation of the diagnostic execution circuits 5-1 to 5-n in the diagnostic circuits 4-1 to 4-n, and performs its own diagnostics and the like in the peripheral parts 2-1 to 2-n of the device. Processing different from diagnosis can be performed, and processing efficiency is improved. Further, since the peripheral parts 2-1 to 2-n of the device are diagnosed in parallel, the diagnostic time is greatly shortened as compared with the conventional case.

Now, the CPU 1 executes a diagnostic start command to the diagnostic circuits 4-1 to 4-n connected to the peripheral parts 2-1 to 2-n, and further executes a predetermined process such as its own diagnostics. If done, for example, the diagnostic circuit 4-1 connected to the device peripheral section 2-1
A status read command is executed with respect to (step S2-1). As a result, the CPU 1 causes the contents of the status register 6-1 in the diagnostic circuit 4-1, that is, the device peripheral section 2-1.
The status of the diagnostic result is read from the device peripheral section 2-1 and the system bus 3.

Next, the CPU 1 refers to the "diagnostic bit" of the status read from the status register 6-1 in the diagnostic circuit 4-1, and determines whether or not the diagnosis of the peripheral part 2-1 of the device is completed. It is checked (step S3-1).

If it has not ended (if the "diagnosis bit" is set), the CPU 1 waits for a certain period of time, and then executes step S2-1 again to display the status from the status register 6-1. Read.

On the other hand, if the diagnosis of the peripheral portion 2-1 of the device is completed, the CPU 1 determines the status register 6-1.
It is checked whether or not there is a diagnostic error with respect to the device peripheral section 2-1 by referring to the "error bit" of the status read from (step S4-1).

If there is an error, the CPU 1 displays an error message indicating that there is an error in the device peripheral section 2-1 (step S5). As a result, the user (operator) can inspect the peripheral part 2-1 of the device and can replace it if necessary.

On the other hand, if there is no error, the CPU
1 executes the same processing as in steps S2-1 to S4-1 for the diagnostic circuit 4-2 connected to the apparatus peripheral section 2-2. That is, the CPU 1 reads the status from the status register 6-2 in the diagnostic circuit 4-2 (step S2
-2), it is checked whether or not the read status indicates the end of diagnosis (step S3-2), and if it indicates the end of diagnosis, it is checked whether or not the status indicates that there is an error. (Step S4-2). If it indicates that there is an error, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S5 and displays an error indicating that there is an error in the device peripheral section 2-2.

On the other hand, if no error is indicated, the CPU 1 performs the same processing as in the case of detecting no error in the device peripheral section 2-1 in step S4-1, and the apparatus peripheral section 2-2. The diagnostic circuit connected to the peripheral part of the device next to is executed.

In this way, when it is confirmed that there is no error from the apparatus peripheral section 2-1 to the apparatus peripheral section immediately before the apparatus peripheral section 2-n, the CPU 1 performs the same processing as the apparatus peripheral section 2-. n
The diagnostic circuit 4-n connected to is executed. That is CP
U1 reads the status from the status register 6-n in the diagnostic circuit 4-n (step S2-n), and checks whether the read status indicates the end of diagnosis (step S3-n). , If it indicates the end of diagnosis,
It is checked whether or not the status indicates that there is an error (step S4-n). Here, if there is an error, the CPU 1 displays an error indicating that there is an error in the device peripheral section 2-n (step S5).

On the other hand, if there is no error, the CPU 1 determines that all the device peripheral parts 2-1 to 2-n are normal, and executes the system startup (step S6).

In the above embodiment, when the read status does not indicate the end of diagnosis, the CPU 1
Explained that the status read (reread) from the same status register is executed again, but proceed to the status read from the status register in the next diagnostic circuit, and read again after the status read has completed one cycle. You may

In the above embodiment, the CPU 1 reads the status regardless of whether the diagnostic operation by the diagnostic execution circuit 5-i in the diagnostic circuit 4-i (i = 1 to n) is completed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the diagnostic execution circuit 5-i in each diagnostic circuit 4-i issues an interrupt (diagnostic end interrupt) to the CPU 1 via the system bus 3 when the diagnostic is completed, and this interrupt causes the CPU
1 may read the status from the status register 6-i in the diagnostic circuit 4-i.

In the above embodiment, the diagnostic execution circuit 5-i in each diagnostic circuit 4-i has been described as being activated by the execution of the diagnostic start command from the CPU 1, but in each diagnostic circuit 4-i. Alternatively, a power-on detection circuit for detecting power-on may be provided, and the power-on detection of this detection circuit may be activated.

[0032]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
For each peripheral part of the information processing apparatus, a diagnostic means for executing the diagnosis of the corresponding peripheral part is provided, and the diagnostic start command (diagnostic start command) from the CPU is executed or the power-on detection means detects the power-on. Since the diagnostic means is activated, the peripheral parts of each device can be diagnosed independently and in parallel from the CPU, and the diagnostic time can be greatly shortened compared to the conventional case, and the load on the CPU can be reduced. You can also

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing apparatus having a diagnostic function for peripheral parts of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... CPU, 2-1 to 2-n ... Device peripheral part, 3 ... System bus, 4-1 to 4-n ... Diagnostic circuit, 5-1 to 5-n ... Diagnostic execution circuit, 6-1 to 6- n ... Status register, STB ... Start bit.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus comprising a CPU which is the center of the apparatus, and diagnostic means provided for each peripheral portion of the apparatus for executing diagnosis of the corresponding peripheral portion, and the CPU to Means for activating the diagnostic means by executing a diagnostic start command for instructing the diagnostic start, wherein each of the diagnostic means is activated by executing the diagnostic start command of the CPU, An information processing apparatus, characterized in that a predetermined diagnosis is executed for a peripheral portion. 2. An information processing apparatus having a CPU which is the center of the apparatus, and a diagnostic means provided for each peripheral portion of the apparatus, for executing diagnosis of the corresponding peripheral portion, and each diagnostic means. And power-on detection means for activating the corresponding diagnostic means by detecting power-on, each of the diagnostic means being activated by the power-on detection of the corresponding power-on detection means, An information processing apparatus, which executes a predetermined diagnosis on the corresponding peripheral portion. 3. Each of the diagnosis means has status holding means for holding a diagnosis result for the corresponding peripheral portion, and the CPU reads the contents held in the status holding means of each of the diagnosis means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a diagnostic result for each peripheral portion by each diagnostic means is obtained.