COMPUTER-HARDWARE, LIFE-EXTENSION APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20110016463A1
• Filed: 07/07/2010
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Phillip M. Adams
• Original Assignee: Phillip M. Adams
• Inventors: Adams, Phillip M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,806,474 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A computer hardware life-extension apparatus and method is disclosed to circumvent hardware-dependent software installation locks, imposed by selected software packages, which may artificially enforce compliance with a minimum set of hardware requirements before allowing installation. Various techniques may be used to circumvent the artificial hardware locks, thereby effectively extending the useful life, and delaying the forced obsolescence, of selected computer hardware. An apparatus and method in accordance with the invention may be used to extend the life of a wide variety of computer hardware, including but not limited to processors, main memory, secondary storage devices, and the like.

Claims

1. A method for circumventing hardware-dependent software installation locks in a computer system, the method comprising:

installing a compliant hardware component in the computer system, the compliant hardware component satisfying minimum requirements imposed by an installation requirement of a selected software package;

installing the software package on the computer system;

removing the compliant hardware component from the computer system;

installing a non-compliant hardware component not satisfying the minimum requirements; and

running the software package on the computer system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein installing the software package further comprises shutting down the computer system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein running the software package further comprises rebooting the computer system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein installing a compliant hardware component further comprises installing a component selected from the group consisting of a processor, main memory, and a secondary storage device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein installing a non-compliant hardware component further comprises installing a component selected from the group consisting of a processor, main memory, and a secondary storage device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein installing a compliant hardware component includes installing a sufficient amount of main memory to comply with the minimum requirements.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein installing a non-compliant hardware component includes installing an amount of main memory insufficient to satisfy the minimum requirements.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein installing a compliant hardware component includes installing a secondary storage device having adequate storage space to satisfy the minimum requirements.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising creating a single partition on the secondary storage device utilizing the entire storage capacity thereof.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising repartitioning the secondary storage device to be non-compliant with the minimum requirements.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein satisfying minimum requirements includes satisfying minimum requirements with respect to at least one of the group consisting of processor speed, processor architecture, main memory capacity, and secondary storage capacity.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein satisfying minimum requirements includes satisfying minimum requirements with respect to at least one of the group consisting of simulated processor speed, simulated processor architecture, simulated main memory capacity, and simulated secondary storage capacity.

12. A method for circumventing hardware-dependent software installation locks in a simulated computer system environment, the method comprising:

providing a compliant simulated hardware component in the simulated computer system environment, the compliant simulated hardware component satisfying minimum requirements imposed by installation requirements of a selected software package;

installing the software package into the simulated computer system environment;

replacing the compliant simulated hardware component with a non-compliant simulated hardware component not satisfying the minimum requirements; and

running the software package in the simulated computer system environment.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein installing the software package further comprises shutting down the computer system.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein running the software package further comprises rebooting the computer system.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein installing a compliant simulated hardware component further comprises installing a component selected from the group consisting of a simulated processor, simulated main memory, and a simulated secondary storage device.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein installing a non-compliant simulated hardware component further comprises installing a component selected from the group consisting of a simulated processor, simulated main memory, and a simulated secondary storage device.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein installing a compliant simulated hardware component includes installing a sufficient amount of simulated main memory to comply with the minimum requirements.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein installing a non-compliant simulated hardware component includes installing an amount of simulated main memory insufficient to satisfy the minimum requirements.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein installing a compliant simulated hardware component includes installing a simulated secondary storage device having adequate storage space to satisfy the minimum requirements.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising creating a single partition on the simulated secondary storage device utilizing the entire storage capacity thereof.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising repartitioning the simulated secondary storage device to be non-compliant with the minimum requirements.

23. A method for circumventing hardware-dependent software installation locks in a computer system, the method comprising:

providing software having associated therewith an installation requirement specifying a hardware limitation;

installing a compliant hardware component in the computer system, the compliant hardware component satisfying minimum requirements imposed by the installation requirement;

installing the software package on the computer system;

removing the compliant hardware component from the computer system;

installing a non-compliant hardware component not satisfying the minimum requirements; and

running the software package on the computer system.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein installing a compliant hardware component further comprises installing a component selected from the group consisting of a processor, main memory, and a secondary storage device.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein satisfying minimum requirements includes satisfying minimum requirements with respect to at least one of the group consisting of processor speed, processor architecture, main memory capacity, and secondary storage capacity.