Method and apparatus for restoring a device to a default state

• US 20030191979A1
• Filed: 04/04/2002
• Published: 10/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Whitten, Jon Marcus Randall, Pirich, Christopher M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,996,744 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/6.12
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0607 by facilitating the process of upgrading existing storage systems, e.g. for improving compatibility between host and storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0614 Improving the reliability of storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0634 by changing the state or mode of one or more devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0644 Management of space entities, e.g. partitions, extents, pools
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0676 Magnetic disk device

Abstract

A device includes a processor and a hard disk drive coupled to the processor. The hard disk drive stores various data associated with the device and includes a first partition and a second partition. Data stored in the first partition is cleared during a system reset operation. Data stored in the second partition is not cleared during the system reset operation. The first partition stores saved application data, device configuration information, and the like. The second partition stores a console application that implements a user interface to the device. The second partition also stores a reset application that implements a system reset operation.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a hard disk drive coupled to the processor, the hard disk drive being configured to store various data associated with the apparatus, wherein the hard disk drive includes a first partition that is cleared during a system reset operation and a second partition that is not cleared during the system reset operation.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including a memory coupled to the processor.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including a portable media drive coupled to the processor and configured to communicate with a storage disc.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including a console application stored on the second partition of the hard disk drive and executable on the processor, the console application configured to implement a user interface to the apparatus.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including a reset application stored on the second partition of the hard disk drive and executable on the processor, the reset application configured to implement a system reset operation.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is a game console.

7. A method comprising:

booting a game console from a first partition of a hard disk drive integrated into the game console, wherein the first partition of the hard disk drive is designated read-only; and

storing data generated during operation of the game console on a second partition of the hard disk drive.

8. A method as recited in claim 7 further including storing data associated with at least one saved game on the second partition of the hard disk drive.

9. A method as recited in claim 7 further including storing data associated with configuration of the game console on the second partition of the hard disk drive.

10. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein booting a game console includes booting the game console into a console application stored on the first partition of the hard disk drive.

11. A method as recited in claim 7 further comprising resetting the game console to a factory default state by executing a reset application stored on the first partition of the hard disk drive.

12. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein the reset application stored on the first partition of the hard disk drive is capable of erasing the second partition of the hard disk drive.

13. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein the reset application is in executed in response to a user entering a valid passcode.

14. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein the reset application is executed in response to a user entering a valid series of button presses or other control inputs.

15. One or more computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, perform the method as recited in claim 7.

16. A method comprising:

assigning a serial number to a game console;

storing a hidden code in a storage device contained in the game console;

storing the serial number and the associated hidden code in a database for later reference; and

generating a passcode by applying a passcode algorithm to the hidden code, wherein the passcode identifies a series of control inputs required to reset the game console.

17. A method as recited in claim 16 further comprising storing the passcode in the database with the associated serial number.

18. A method as recited in claim 16 wherein the series of control inputs are applied to the game console using a controller coupled to the game console.

19. A method as recited in claim 16 wherein the same passcode is generated by the game console by applying the same passcode algorithm to the hidden code stored in the game console.

20. One or more computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, perform the method as recited in claim 16.

21. A method comprising:

contacting a technical support agent regarding a device;

providing a device serial number to the technical support agent;

receiving a passcode from the technical support agent;

applying the passcode to the device, the device verifying the applied passcode by calculating the passcode from a hidden code in the device; and

resetting the device to a factory default state if the applied passcode is verified.

22. A method as recited in claim 21 further comprising maintaining the current state of the device if the passcode is not verified.

23. A method as recited in claim 21 wherein the passcode identifies a series of control inputs required to reset the device.

24. A method as recited in claim 21 wherein resetting the device includes deleting data in a first partition of a hard disk drive contained in the device.

25. A method as recited in claim 21 wherein the device is a game console.

26. One or more computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, perform the method as recited in claim 21.

27. A computer-readable medium for a game console comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, direct the game console to:

identify a passcode associated with the game console;

receive a series of user inputs;

determine whether the series of user inputs matches the passcode associated with the game console; and

reset the game console to a factory default state if the series of user inputs matches the passcode associated with the game console.

28. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 27 wherein resetting the game console to a factory default state includes deleting data stored in a saved data partition of a hard disk drive integrated into the game console.

29. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 27 wherein the saved data partition of the hard disk drive includes saved game data.

30. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 27 wherein the saved data partition of the hard disk drive includes game console settings.

31. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 27 further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, direct the game console to maintain the current state of the game console if the series of user inputs does not match the passcode associated with the game console.