Administrator controlled architecture for disabling add-in card slots

摘要

A system and method for disabling add-in card slots (e.g. PCI or ISA) in a computer system. The slots may be enabled or disabled, according to the preferred embodiment, only after the user has entered a System Administrator password. This password is stored in a non-volatile memory within the computer system, so it is less vulnerable to attack through removal of the power line or battery from the system. The preferred system provides that devices attached to disabled slots are invisible to the operating system.