Method and apparatus for updating the contents of a first memory of a computer
system. In one embodiment, new information intended for the first memory is received
by the computer system from an external source, wherein the first memory is for
storing information that is required during startup of the computer system. The
new information thus received is stored in a second memory capable of retaining
information stored therein upon a restart of the computer system. The computer
system is restarted without relying on the new information. The new ROM image can
be pre-flighted before it is flashed into ROM. In this embodiment, the new information
stored in the second memory can be verified to ensure that it is safe to load the
new information into the first memory. When a positive verification result is obtained,
the new information is loaded from the second memory into the first memory such
that the new information can be used for a subsequent startup of the computer system.
In a specific embodiment, the present invention includes the above and wherein
the first memory comprises a flash ROM. In one embodiment, the present invention
includes the above and wherein the computer system is a PDA. In a preferred embodiment,
the present invention includes the above and wherein the new information is received
by the computer system via wireless communication.
