OS selection methods and computer systems utilizing the same

• US 20060168440A1
• Filed: 06/23/2005
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Huang, Jiun Jeng
• Application Number:
  US11/165,208
• Publication Number:
  US 20060168440A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/441 Multiboot arrangements, i.e. selecting an operating system to be loaded

Abstract

OS (Operating system) selection methods and computer system utilizing the same. A tag is provided in a storage device of a computer system. The tag is used to determine the OS used by the computer system. When the computer system boots, a master boot program checks the tag. If the tag is a first value, a first OS is loaded on the computer system, enabling the computer system to enter media mode. If the tag is a second value, a second OS is loaded on the computer system, enabling the computer system to enter PC mode. After the computer system enters PC mode and requires entry into media mode, the tag is set to the first value, and the computer system reboots.

Claims

1. An OS selection method, comprising:

providing a tag in a storage device of a computer system, in which the tag is used to determine an OS used by the computer system;

when the computer system boots, checking of the tag by a master boot program;

if the tag is a first value, loading a first OS on the computer system; and

if the tag is a second value, loading a second OS on the computer system, enabling the computer system to enter PC mode.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising if the tag is the first value, decompressing and expanding a first OS image to load the first OS on the computer system, enabling the computer system to enter media mode.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising, after the computer system enters media mode and requires entry into PC mode, setting the tag to the second value, and rebooting the computer system.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising setting the tag to the first value after the computer system reboots and enters PC mode.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after the computer system enters PC mode and requires entry into media mode, setting the tag to the first value, and rebooting the computer system.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the storage device comprises a single disk partition, and the tag, the second OS, and the first OS image are stored therein.

7. A computer system, comprising:

a tag used to determine an OS used by the computer system; and

a master boot program checking the tag, loading a first OS on the computer system if the tag is a first value, and loading a second OS on the computer system and enabling the computer system to enter PC mode if the tag is a second value.

8. The computer system of claim 7, wherein if the tag is the first value, the master boot program decompresses and expands a first OS image to load the first OS on the computer system, enabling the computer system to enter media mode.

9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein after the computer system enters media mode and requires entry into PC mode, the first OS further sets the tag to the second value, and reboots the computer system.

10. The computer system of claim 9 wherein the master boot program further sets the tag to the first value after the computer system reboots and enters PC mode.

11. The computer system of claim 7, wherein after the computer system enters PC mode and requires entry into media mode, the second OS further sets the tag to the first value, and reboots the computer system.

12. The computer system of claim 8 wherein the tag is stored in a storage device.

13. The computer system of claim 12 wherein the storage device comprises a single disk partition, and the tag, the second OS, and the first OS image are stored therein.

14. An OS selection method, comprising:

providing a tag in a storage device of a computer system;

when the computer system boots, checking of the tag by a master boot program; and

loading an OS on the computer system according to the tag.