diff --git a/src/arch/alpha/SConscript b/src/arch/alpha/SConscript
index 2d59180c4..4f293e22f 100644
--- a/src/arch/alpha/SConscript
+++ b/src/arch/alpha/SConscript
@@ -38,12 +38,12 @@ if env['TARGET_ISA'] == 'alpha':
     Source('miscregfile.cc')
     Source('regfile.cc')
     Source('remote_gdb.cc')
+    Source('utility.cc')
 
     if env['FULL_SYSTEM']:
         SimObject('AlphaSystem.py')
         SimObject('AlphaTLB.py')
 
-        Source('arguments.cc')
         Source('ev5.cc')
         Source('idle_event.cc')
         Source('ipr.cc')
diff --git a/src/arch/alpha/linux/system.cc b/src/arch/alpha/linux/system.cc
index f93cdfbad..102598716 100644
--- a/src/arch/alpha/linux/system.cc
+++ b/src/arch/alpha/linux/system.cc
@@ -40,7 +40,6 @@
  * up boot time.
  */
 
-#include "arch/arguments.hh"
 #include "arch/vtophys.hh"
 #include "arch/alpha/idle_event.hh"
 #include "arch/alpha/linux/system.hh"
@@ -54,6 +53,7 @@
 #include "kern/linux/events.hh"
 #include "mem/physical.hh"
 #include "mem/port.hh"
+#include "sim/arguments.hh"
 #include "sim/byteswap.hh"
 
 using namespace std;
diff --git a/src/arch/sparc/arguments.cc b/src/arch/alpha/utility.cc
similarity index 62%
rename from src/arch/sparc/arguments.cc
rename to src/arch/alpha/utility.cc
index 44adf4a15..f1864203b 100644
--- a/src/arch/sparc/arguments.cc
+++ b/src/arch/alpha/utility.cc
@@ -26,48 +26,40 @@
  * OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  *
  * Authors: Nathan Binkert
+ *          Ali Saidi
  */
 
-#include "arch/sparc/arguments.hh"
-#include "arch/sparc/vtophys.hh"
-#include "cpu/thread_context.hh"
+#include "arch/alpha/utility.hh"
+
+#if FULL_SYSTEM
+#include "arch/alpha/vtophys.hh"
 #include "mem/vport.hh"
+#endif
 
-using namespace SparcISA;
-
-Arguments::Data::~Data()
+namespace AlphaISA
 {
-    while (!data.empty()) {
-        delete [] data.front();
-        data.pop_front();
-    }
-}
 
-char *
-Arguments::Data::alloc(size_t size)
+uint64_t getArgument(ThreadContext *tc, int number, bool fp)
 {
-    char *buf = new char[size];
-    data.push_back(buf);
-    return buf;
-}
-
-uint64_t
-Arguments::getArg(bool fp)
-{
-    //The caller uses %o0-%05 for the first 6 arguments even if their floating
-    //point. Double precision floating point values take two registers/args.
-    //Quads, structs, and unions are passed as pointers. All arguments beyond
-    //the sixth are passed on the stack past the 16 word window save area,
-    //space for the struct/union return pointer, and space reserved for the
-    //first 6 arguments which the caller may use but doesn't have to.
-    if (number < 6) {
-        return tc->readIntReg(8 + number);
+#if FULL_SYSTEM
+    if (number < NumArgumentRegs) {
+        if (fp)
+            return tc->readFloatRegBits(ArgumentReg[number]);
+        else
+            return tc->readIntReg(ArgumentReg[number]);
     } else {
-        Addr sp = tc->readIntReg(14);
+        Addr sp = tc->readIntReg(StackPointerReg);
         VirtualPort *vp = tc->getVirtPort(tc);
-        uint64_t arg = vp->read<uint64_t>(sp + 92 + (number-6) * sizeof(uint64_t));
+        uint64_t arg = vp->read<uint64_t>(sp +
+                           (number-NumArgumentRegs) * sizeof(uint64_t));
         tc->delVirtPort(vp);
         return arg;
     }
+#else
+    panic("getArgument() is Full system only\n");
+    M5_DUMMY_RETURN
+#endif
 }
 
+} // namespace AlphaISA
+
diff --git a/src/arch/alpha/utility.hh b/src/arch/alpha/utility.hh
index c20394a92..5d461a0f9 100644
--- a/src/arch/alpha/utility.hh
+++ b/src/arch/alpha/utility.hh
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@
 namespace AlphaISA
 {
 
+    uint64_t getArgument(ThreadContext *tc, int number, bool fp);
+
     static inline bool
     inUserMode(ThreadContext *tc)
     {
diff --git a/src/arch/mips/utility.hh b/src/arch/mips/utility.hh
index 8b35c2f3b..300761c93 100644
--- a/src/arch/mips/utility.hh
+++ b/src/arch/mips/utility.hh
@@ -48,6 +48,10 @@ class ThreadContext;
 
 namespace MipsISA {
 
+    uint64_t getArgument(ThreadContext *tc, bool fp) {
+        panic("getArgument() not implemented for MIPS\n");
+    }
+
     //Floating Point Utility Functions
     uint64_t fpConvert(ConvertType cvt_type, double fp_val);
     double roundFP(double val, int digits);
diff --git a/src/arch/sparc/SConscript b/src/arch/sparc/SConscript
index c9dbb8cf2..0552c282b 100644
--- a/src/arch/sparc/SConscript
+++ b/src/arch/sparc/SConscript
@@ -39,12 +39,12 @@ if env['TARGET_ISA'] == 'sparc':
     Source('miscregfile.cc')
     Source('regfile.cc')
     Source('remote_gdb.cc')
+    Source('utility.cc')
 
     if env['FULL_SYSTEM']:
         SimObject('SparcSystem.py')
         SimObject('SparcTLB.py')
 
-        Source('arguments.cc')
         Source('pagetable.cc')
         Source('stacktrace.cc')
         Source('system.cc')
diff --git a/src/arch/sparc/arguments.hh b/src/arch/sparc/arguments.hh
deleted file mode 100644
index 5596f7408..000000000
--- a/src/arch/sparc/arguments.hh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,149 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright (c) 2003-2005 The Regents of The University of Michigan
- * All rights reserved.
- *
- * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
- * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
- * met: redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
- * notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer;
- * redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
- * notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
- * documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution;
- * neither the name of the copyright holders nor the names of its
- * contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
- * this software without specific prior written permission.
- *
- * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
- * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
- * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
- * A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
- * OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
- * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
- * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
- * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
- * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
- * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
- * OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
- *
- * Authors: Nathan Binkert
- */
-
-#ifndef __ARCH_SPARC_ARGUMENTS_HH__
-#define __ARCH_SPARC_ARGUMENTS_HH__
-
-#include <assert.h>
-
-#include "base/refcnt.hh"
-#include "sim/host.hh"
-#include "mem/vport.hh"
-
-class ThreadContext;
-
-namespace SparcISA {
-
-class Arguments
-{
-  protected:
-    ThreadContext *tc;
-    int number;
-    uint64_t getArg(bool fp = false);
-
-  protected:
-    class Data : public RefCounted
-    {
-      public:
-        Data(){}
-        ~Data();
-
-      private:
-        std::list<char *> data;
-
-      public:
-        char *alloc(size_t size);
-    };
-
-    RefCountingPtr<Data> data;
-
-  public:
-    Arguments(ThreadContext *ctx, int n = 0)
-        : tc(ctx), number(n), data(NULL)
-        { assert(number >= 0); data = new Data;}
-    Arguments(const Arguments &args)
-        : tc(args.tc), number(args.number), data(args.data) {}
-    ~Arguments() {}
-
-    ThreadContext *getThreadContext() const { return tc; }
-
-    const Arguments &operator=(const Arguments &args) {
-        tc = args.tc;
-        number = args.number;
-        data = args.data;
-        return *this;
-    }
-
-    Arguments &operator++() {
-        ++number;
-        assert(number >= 0);
-        return *this;
-    }
-
-    Arguments operator++(int) {
-        Arguments args = *this;
-        ++number;
-        assert(number >= 0);
-        return args;
-    }
-
-    Arguments &operator--() {
-        --number;
-        assert(number >= 0);
-        return *this;
-    }
-
-    Arguments operator--(int) {
-        Arguments args = *this;
-        --number;
-        assert(number >= 0);
-        return args;
-    }
-
-    const Arguments &operator+=(int index) {
-        number += index;
-        assert(number >= 0);
-        return *this;
-    }
-
-    const Arguments &operator-=(int index) {
-        number -= index;
-        assert(number >= 0);
-        return *this;
-    }
-
-    Arguments operator[](int index) {
-        return Arguments(tc, index);
-    }
-
-    template <class T>
-    operator T() {
-        assert(sizeof(T) <= sizeof(uint64_t));
-        T data = static_cast<T>(getArg());
-        return data;
-    }
-
-    template <class T>
-    operator T *() {
-        T *buf = (T *)data->alloc(sizeof(T));
-        CopyData(tc, buf, getArg(), sizeof(T));
-        return buf;
-    }
-
-    operator char *() {
-        char *buf = data->alloc(2048);
-        CopyStringOut(tc, buf, getArg(), 2048);
-        return buf;
-    }
-};
-
-}; // namespace SparcISA
-
-#endif // __ARCH_SPARC_ARGUMENTS_HH__
diff --git a/src/arch/sparc/utility.cc b/src/arch/sparc/utility.cc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6d4358603
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/arch/sparc/utility.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2003-2005 The Regents of The University of Michigan
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
+ * met: redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ * notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer;
+ * redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ * notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ * documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution;
+ * neither the name of the copyright holders nor the names of its
+ * contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
+ * this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+ * A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+ * OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+ * OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ *
+ * Authors: Gabe Black
+ *          Ali Saidi
+ */
+
+#include "arch/sparc/utility.hh"
+#if FULL_SYSTEM
+#include "arch/sparc/vtophys.hh"
+#include "mem/vport.hh"
+#endif
+
+namespace SparcISA {
+
+
+//The caller uses %o0-%05 for the first 6 arguments even if their floating
+//point. Double precision floating point values take two registers/args.
+//Quads, structs, and unions are passed as pointers. All arguments beyond
+//the sixth are passed on the stack past the 16 word window save area,
+//space for the struct/union return pointer, and space reserved for the
+//first 6 arguments which the caller may use but doesn't have to.
+uint64_t getArgument(ThreadContext *tc, int number, bool fp) {
+#if FULL_SYSTEM
+    if (number < NumArgumentRegs) {
+        return tc->readIntReg(ArgumentReg[number]);
+    } else {
+        Addr sp = tc->readIntReg(StackPointerReg);
+        VirtualPort *vp = tc->getVirtPort(tc);
+        uint64_t arg = vp->read<uint64_t>(sp + 92 +
+                            (number-NumArgumentRegs) * sizeof(uint64_t));
+        tc->delVirtPort(vp);
+        return arg;
+    }
+#else
+    panic("getArgument() only implemented for FULL_SYSTEM\n");
+    M5_DUMMY_RETURN
+#endif
+}
+} //namespace SPARC_ISA
diff --git a/src/arch/sparc/utility.hh b/src/arch/sparc/utility.hh
index 1458231f2..9a84a82b3 100644
--- a/src/arch/sparc/utility.hh
+++ b/src/arch/sparc/utility.hh
@@ -41,6 +41,9 @@
 namespace SparcISA
 {
 
+
+    uint64_t getArgument(ThreadContext *tc, int number, bool fp);
+
     static inline bool
     inUserMode(ThreadContext *tc)
     {
diff --git a/src/kern/linux/events.cc b/src/kern/linux/events.cc
index 42fa63a27..bfff816ca 100644
--- a/src/kern/linux/events.cc
+++ b/src/kern/linux/events.cc
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
  *          Ali Saidi
  */
 
-#include "arch/arguments.hh"
+#include "sim/arguments.hh"
 #include "base/trace.hh"
 #include "cpu/thread_context.hh"
 #include "kern/linux/events.hh"
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ DebugPrintkEvent::process(ThreadContext *tc)
 {
     if (DTRACE(DebugPrintf)) {
         std::stringstream ss;
-        TheISA::Arguments args(tc);
+        Arguments args(tc);
         Printk(ss, args);
         StringWrap name(tc->getSystemPtr()->name() + ".dprintk");
         DPRINTFN("%s", ss.str());
diff --git a/src/kern/linux/printk.cc b/src/kern/linux/printk.cc
index 866353e31..24e28e666 100644
--- a/src/kern/linux/printk.cc
+++ b/src/kern/linux/printk.cc
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
 #include <sys/types.h>
 #include <algorithm>
 
-#include "arch/arguments.hh"
+#include "sim/arguments.hh"
 #include "base/trace.hh"
 #include "kern/linux/printk.hh"
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ using namespace std;
 
 
 void
-Printk(stringstream &out, TheISA::Arguments args)
+Printk(stringstream &out, Arguments args)
 {
     char *p = (char *)args++;
 
diff --git a/src/kern/linux/printk.hh b/src/kern/linux/printk.hh
index 20dfb430f..da9564b7e 100644
--- a/src/kern/linux/printk.hh
+++ b/src/kern/linux/printk.hh
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@
 
 #include <sstream>
 
-class TheISA::Arguments;
+class Arguments;
 
-void Printk(std::stringstream &out, TheISA::Arguments args);
+void Printk(std::stringstream &out, Arguments args);
 
 #endif // __PRINTK_HH__
diff --git a/src/kern/tru64/dump_mbuf.cc b/src/kern/tru64/dump_mbuf.cc
index 5ccfbca5d..e6bfc06d9 100644
--- a/src/kern/tru64/dump_mbuf.cc
+++ b/src/kern/tru64/dump_mbuf.cc
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 #include "kern/tru64/mbuf.hh"
 #include "sim/host.hh"
 #include "sim/system.hh"
-#include "arch/arguments.hh"
+#include "sim/arguments.hh"
 #include "arch/isa_traits.hh"
 #include "arch/vtophys.hh"
 
diff --git a/src/kern/tru64/dump_mbuf.hh b/src/kern/tru64/dump_mbuf.hh
index 30b1102b9..2f71fc61d 100644
--- a/src/kern/tru64/dump_mbuf.hh
+++ b/src/kern/tru64/dump_mbuf.hh
@@ -31,10 +31,10 @@
 #ifndef __DUMP_MBUF_HH__
 #define __DUMP_MBUF_HH__
 
-#include "arch/arguments.hh"
+#include "sim/arguments.hh"
 
 namespace tru64 {
-    void DumpMbuf(TheISA::Arguments args);
+    void DumpMbuf(Arguments args);
 }
 
 #endif // __DUMP_MBUF_HH__
diff --git a/src/kern/tru64/printf.cc b/src/kern/tru64/printf.cc
index 4245ac6d0..ce77efa83 100644
--- a/src/kern/tru64/printf.cc
+++ b/src/kern/tru64/printf.cc
@@ -31,18 +31,18 @@
 #include <sys/types.h>
 #include <algorithm>
 
+#include "arch/vtophys.hh"
 #include "base/cprintf.hh"
 #include "base/trace.hh"
 #include "sim/host.hh"
-#include "arch/arguments.hh"
-#include "arch/vtophys.hh"
+#include "sim/arguments.hh"
 
 using namespace std;
 
 namespace tru64 {
 
 void
-Printf(TheISA::Arguments args)
+Printf(Arguments args)
 {
     std::ostream &out = Trace::output();
 
diff --git a/src/kern/tru64/printf.hh b/src/kern/tru64/printf.hh
index ff453b1c1..5036694c0 100644
--- a/src/kern/tru64/printf.hh
+++ b/src/kern/tru64/printf.hh
@@ -31,10 +31,10 @@
 #ifndef __PRINTF_HH__
 #define __PRINTF_HH__
 
-#include "arch/arguments.hh"
+#include "sim/arguments.hh"
 
 namespace tru64 {
-    void Printf(TheISA::Arguments args);
+    void Printf(Arguments args);
 }
 
 #endif // __PRINTF_HH__
diff --git a/src/kern/tru64/tru64_events.cc b/src/kern/tru64/tru64_events.cc
index c84b25dab..c798c3ced 100644
--- a/src/kern/tru64/tru64_events.cc
+++ b/src/kern/tru64/tru64_events.cc
@@ -29,15 +29,15 @@
  *          Lisa Hsu
  */
 
+#include "arch/alpha/ev5.hh"
+#include "arch/isa_traits.hh"
 #include "cpu/thread_context.hh"
 #include "cpu/base.hh"
 #include "kern/system_events.hh"
 #include "kern/tru64/tru64_events.hh"
 #include "kern/tru64/dump_mbuf.hh"
 #include "kern/tru64/printf.hh"
-#include "arch/alpha/ev5.hh"
-#include "arch/arguments.hh"
-#include "arch/isa_traits.hh"
+#include "sim/arguments.hh"
 #include "sim/system.hh"
 
 using namespace TheISA;
diff --git a/src/sim/SConscript b/src/sim/SConscript
index 6bd53e205..bfa0c9a0c 100644
--- a/src/sim/SConscript
+++ b/src/sim/SConscript
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ Source('stat_control.cc')
 Source('system.cc')
 
 if env['FULL_SYSTEM']:
+    Source('arguments.cc')
     Source('pseudo_inst.cc')
 else:
     SimObject('Process.py')
diff --git a/src/arch/alpha/arguments.cc b/src/sim/arguments.cc
similarity index 79%
rename from src/arch/alpha/arguments.cc
rename to src/sim/arguments.cc
index e89bd70b0..5aa57755a 100644
--- a/src/arch/alpha/arguments.cc
+++ b/src/sim/arguments.cc
@@ -28,12 +28,11 @@
  * Authors: Nathan Binkert
  */
 
-#include "arch/alpha/arguments.hh"
-#include "arch/alpha/vtophys.hh"
+#include "sim/arguments.hh"
+#include "arch/utility.hh"
 #include "cpu/thread_context.hh"
-#include "mem/vport.hh"
 
-using namespace AlphaISA;
+using namespace TheISA;
 
 Arguments::Data::~Data()
 {
@@ -54,17 +53,6 @@ Arguments::Data::alloc(size_t size)
 uint64_t
 Arguments::getArg(bool fp)
 {
-    if (number < 6) {
-        if (fp)
-            return tc->readFloatRegBits(16 + number);
-        else
-            return tc->readIntReg(16 + number);
-    } else {
-        Addr sp = tc->readIntReg(30);
-        VirtualPort *vp = tc->getVirtPort(tc);
-        uint64_t arg = vp->read<uint64_t>(sp + (number-6) * sizeof(uint64_t));
-        tc->delVirtPort(vp);
-        return arg;
-    }
+    return TheISA::getArgument(tc, number, fp);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/arch/alpha/arguments.hh b/src/sim/arguments.hh
similarity index 94%
rename from src/arch/alpha/arguments.hh
rename to src/sim/arguments.hh
index 4dba4901f..14c9e1f8a 100644
--- a/src/arch/alpha/arguments.hh
+++ b/src/sim/arguments.hh
@@ -28,20 +28,18 @@
  * Authors: Nathan Binkert
  */
 
-#ifndef __ARCH_ALPHA_ARGUMENTS_HH__
-#define __ARCH_ALPHA_ARGUMENTS_HH__
+#ifndef __SIM_ARGUMENTS_HH__
+#define __SIM_ARGUMENTS_HH__
 
 #include <assert.h>
 
-#include "arch/alpha/vtophys.hh"
+#include "arch/vtophys.hh"
 #include "base/refcnt.hh"
 #include "mem/vport.hh"
 #include "sim/host.hh"
 
 class ThreadContext;
 
-namespace AlphaISA {
-
 class Arguments
 {
   protected:
@@ -82,6 +80,11 @@ class Arguments
         return *this;
     }
 
+    // for checking if an argument is NULL
+    bool operator!() {
+        return getArg() == 0;
+    }
+
     Arguments &operator++() {
         ++number;
         assert(number >= 0);
@@ -145,6 +148,4 @@ class Arguments
     }
 };
 
-}; // namespace AlphaISA
-
-#endif // __ARCH_ALPHA_ARGUMENTS_HH__
+#endif // __SIM_ARGUMENTS_HH__