System and method for collecting code coverage information before file system is available

A system and method for collecting code coverage information in a computer environment before its file system is available. Upon powering up the computer system, initial and secondary system loaders are loaded, whereupon an OS kernel is brought into system memory. The boot process code of the OS kernel is exercised by a kernel exerciser operable to conduct a plurality of tests. Thereafter, a fatal error operable to crash the computer system is instigated and, pursuant thereto, a dump file is created in a dump process launched by the kernel. After rebooting the computer system, an extractor is utilized to recover the code coverage information relating to the boot process code from the dump file.