1. A non-volatile memory system comprising: non-volatile memory for storing firmware for starting up the system and for normal operation of the system; a controller coupled to the non-volatile memory for controlling the same and including, volatile memory; and a processor coupled to the volatile memory wherein the controller is adapted to operate during initialization or configuration of the system so that the start up firmware stored in the non-volatile memory is loaded into the volatile memory under the control of the controller and with the processor halted, the start up firmware in the volatile memory being subsequently executed by the processor.