A computer system compnses a processor (2), memory (4) and a plurality of
devices (6, 8, 12), the processor (2) and the memory (4) being operable
to effect the operation of a fault response processor (AFR), and a device
driver (GRAPHICS, NETWORK, H2IO, IO2L, SERIAL) for each of the devices.
The fault response processor (AFR) is operable to generate a model which
represents the processor (2), the memory (4) and the devices (6, 8, 12)
of the computer system and the inter-connection of the processor (2),
memory (4) and the devices (GRAPHICS, NETWORK, H2IO, IO2L, SERIAL). The
device driver (GRAPHICS, NETWORK, H2IO, IO2L, SERIAL) for each of the
devices (6, 8, 12) is arranged, consequent upon a change of operational
status of the device, to generate fault report data indicating whether
the change of status was caused internally within the device or
externally by another connected device. The devices of the computer
system may be formed as a plurality of Field Replaceable Units (FRU). The
fault response processor (AFR) is operable, consequent upon receipt of
the fault reports from the device drivers (GRAPHICS, NETWORK, H2IO, IO2L,
SERIAL) to estimate the location of a FRU containing a faulty device by
applying the fault indication to the model. In other embodiments the
fault report data includes direction information indicating a connection
between the device and the other connected device which caused the
external fault. Having identified the faulty device the FRU may be
replaced, thereby minimizing down time of the computer system.