System information display method and apparatus
First Claim
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1. A method of displaying data about a computer system on the computer system comprising the acts of:
- initiating a boot sequence of the computer system;
reading a key and initiating execution of a program that accesses data files for display, the key being read from a system information area;
if data files containing data to be displayed on the computer system are in predetermined locations in the computer system, then continuing execution of the program that accesses the data files for display by;
opening a graphical user interface (GUI), associating the data files to be displayed with the GUI, and displaying the data about the computer system; and
if no data files are in predetermined locations in the computer system, then removing the key from the system information area during the boot sequence.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention include a system and method of displaying data about a computer system on the computer system. Embodiments of the invention automatically start a graphical user interface if there are files to be displayed. Embodiments may also include a removable storage media containing instructions to implement system and method embodiments.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method of displaying data about a computer system on the computer system comprising the acts of:
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initiating a boot sequence of the computer system;
reading a key and initiating execution of a program that accesses data files for display, the key being read from a system information area;
if data files containing data to be displayed on the computer system are in predetermined locations in the computer system, then continuing execution of the program that accesses the data files for display by;
opening a graphical user interface (GUI), associating the data files to be displayed with the GUI, and displaying the data about the computer system; and
if no data files are in predetermined locations in the computer system, then removing the key from the system information area during the boot sequence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of conveying information to a computer system user comprising:
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automatically executing a program upon startup of the computer system, the program enabling the display of computer system information; and
displaying data about the computer system from data files stored on the computer system;
wherein the displayed data corresponds to installed computer system components, and at least a portion of the data is written to the computer system during the manufacturing process by the computer system original equipment manufacturer;
wherein the automatically executing program is configurable to be installed on any variety of a model of a computer system and display the appropriate data for the particular variety, or to remove itself from the system if no data is available for display. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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16. A method of manufacturing a computer system enabled to display information about the computer system comprising the acts of:
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loading data files into a subdirectory of the operating system root directory of the computer system, wherein the data files provide information about the components installed in the computer system;
loading an executable file operable to access and display the data files into a subdirectory of the operating system root directory of the computer system; and
loading a key into a system information area of the computer system, the key operable to call for the execution of the executable file;
wherein the executable file is executed upon startup of the computer system a selectable number of times, the number of times being included in the key that calls for execution.
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26. A computer system comprising:
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a motherboard;
a main memory coupled to the motherboard;
a component coupled to the motherboard; and
a processor coupled to the motherboard programmed to execute the following instructions;
upon system startup, determine if displayable files are present in a predetermined directory, if displayable files are present in the predetermined directory, then spawn a graphical user interface (GUI) to display the displayable files by linking to the displayable files, and provide an interface for a user to deactivate spawning of the GUI upon system startup.
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34. A removable media storage device containing instructions to display data about a computer system on the computer system, the instructions comprising the acts of:
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initiating a boot sequence of the computer system;
reading a key and initiating execution of a program that accesses data files for display, the key being read from a system information area;
if data files containing data to be displayed on the computer system are in predetermined locations in the computer system, then continuing execution of the program that accesses the data files for display by;
opening a graphical user interface (GUI), associating the data files to be displayed with the GUI, and displaying the data about the computer system; and
if no data files are in predetermined locations in the computer system, then removing the key from the system information area during the boot sequence.
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Specification