Integrated OS in EPROM

[eden]

What you think, would it be a good idea, that computer vendors would ship the PCs with some OS integreted in a chip, in case of a virus or HD crush?

I know the topic is not development, but maybe then some small OS of yours could get in competition, a?

I was thinking on a small OS, some Ks, that just can read & write some file systems, like FAT, or EXT2, or...

Maybe there are such PCs already.

[carbonBased]

That's what I'd call the BIOS...

It should also be noted that several BIOS's (non intel, mostly) are able to execute a standard programming langauge as well (typically a variant of BASIC).

Cheers,
Jeff

[Da_Maestro]

This technique is used widely in embeded devices. Mobile phones for example.

But even then there is still the possibility of a virus destroying the system. Even if the OS is integrated into the circutry, all it takes is one single exploit to be present and your system is open to viruses/hackers.

The reason most OSs are stored in flashROM or hard disk is because if an exploit or bug is discovered it can be removed by upgrading the software or firmware.

Also, what about installing drivers for new hardware?

[kyle.tk]

Cisco routers also implement this in ROM. Its used if for some reason the IOS (operating system) is corrupted or to do things like password recovery.

[eden]

The reason most OSs are stored in flashROM or hard disk is because if an exploit or bug is discovered it can be removed by upgrading the software or firmware.

Also, what about installing drivers for new hardware?

I am not suggesting to remove the OS from the HD, I just say that it would be good if I can boot my PC also from there, as an option. I could have installed OS (or several with boot manager as now), but I could set in the BIOS, don't boot any of them (or if there is no valid harddisk found), boot the integrated one.

So, this will be as firmware for some other devices, it would be possible to upgrade it, but generaly, writing there would not be possible.

That's what I'd call the BIOS...

Yes, just if this BIOS would be possible to instead when there is no HD to say 'no system disk...', to be set over its settings to start its command prompt. Ok, I am not sure what all could be possible to do from there
but...

This is just a though

Goran

[earlz]

Yes some old computer i seen had i think "ROMDOS" or somethign like that, it was some ibm pc it was kinda cool and then there is the old apple IIc in my closet that has basic implemented into the rom(and the basic is actually pretty cool i can draw lines and make simple games)The only problem with it is it will only save to tapes, which i dont have i have 2 5 1/4 drives instead and one floppy for use

[JAAman]

That's what I'd call the BIOS...

It should also be noted that several BIOS's (non intel, mostly) are able to execute a standard programming langauge as well (typically a variant of BASIC).

Cheers,
Jeff

uh... Intel doesn't write any BIOSs that i'm aware of (or did you mean the PC platform? written by IBM, and copied by pheonix, Award, AMI, etc.)
i will assume that is what you meant ... but the original PC did have basic ROM (written by MS), CBM computers also contained a basic ROM (also written by MS)