An engine control module, and method for operating the same for controlling an internal combustion engine. The engine control module comprising a processor for executing instructions to controlled the engine. The engine control module partitioning its memory used to store calibration data. The memory is partitioned into user-changeable and non-user-changeable portions. Only the user-changeable portions are repeatedly backed up. These portions are backed up such that the engine control module can recreate valid calibration data when a memory failure has occured and the engine control module.