The invention is directed to a multi-processor system which includes at least two processors. The system carries out a first sequence of steps when power is switched on and, for a restart during operation, executes a second sequence of steps. The system distinguishes between power on and a restart and selects, the corresponding step sequence. In addition, a check is provided as to whether the number of resets of a processor has exceeded a pregiven threshold. In this case, a processor is transferred into the standby state for the operating cycle which is then running.