A computer system contains selectively available boot block codes. A first boot
block is of the conventional type and is stored in storage media such as flash
ROM on a system planar with the processor of the computer system. A second boot
block is located on a feature card and contains an immutable security code in compliance
with the Trusted Computing Platform Alliance (TCPA) specification. The boot block
on the feature card is enabled if the first boot block detects the presence of
the feature card. The computer system can be readily modified as the computer system
is reconfigured, while maintaining compliance with the TCPA specification. A switching
mechanism controls which of the boot blocks is to be activated. The feature card
is disabled in the event of a computer system reset to prevent access to the TCPA
compliant code and function.