> The kernel uses bios routines exclusively. An implimentation without
> BIOS hooks is possible ('course) but doesn't exist as we speak.
So it can be done. I understand that each type of motherboard would have
a different implementation of APM.
Here's a short proposal for true Linux APM (and SMP safe) handling:
It perhaps would be nice to build an APM module for Linux that supports
each type of motherboard that is APM-capable with a 'driver' a la the
KGICON part of the GGI project. This module would come in two parts; the
top high level part of the APM module would interface seamlnessly with the
Linux kernel proper by either being loaded or by being compiled in. The
lower part of the APM module would then contain an APM driver specific to
that particular motherboard it is running upon. There could be any number
of APM drivers (ie. say. Tyan S1662S/D APM driver, Supermicro P6DNE/F APM
driver and so on, even Alpha, Sparc and so forth) that could be compiled
into the APM module and linked as a single module or linked into the
kernel itself. It remains to be seen how easily we could do this.
This then removes the need to depend on the BIOS's APM implementation
which might leave a lot to be desired. Also using our own APM
implementations can ensure that APM management is then SMP safe. We could
even specify which processor to put to sleep... 8)
Any comments, flames, and knuckledusters welcome.
Cheers,
Alex.
--- /\_/\ Legalise cannabis now! ( o.o ) Grow some cannabis today! > ^ < Peace, Love, Unity and Respect to all.It BOOTED! Wow. Amazing.
Check out http://www.tahallah.demon.co.uk Linux lo-pc3035a 2.1.124 #3 Mon Oct 5 13:30:26 EDT 1998 One Intel Pentium 75+ processor, 66.36 total bogomips, 16M RAM libc 5.4.44
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