A computer system has a mass storage device storing a file enabler associated with a file system for enabling file operations, a firmware memory storing a firmware routine, and a second memory. The computer system also has a microprocessor connected to load the file enabler stored on the mass storage device into the second memory and allow the firmware routine to access the file enabler stored in the second memory in file operations. The computer system may be a portable computer, and the firmware routine may be a hibernation routine.