Method and system for installing an operating system on a data processing system with abort capability and voice input feature

• US 5,481,714 A
• Filed: 10/18/1993
• Issued: 01/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Pipkin, Darryl, Rogers, Eddie, Jones-Scott, Linda, Scott, Keith T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Heckler, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US08/138,328
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 395/700, 395/650
• US Class Current: 717/175
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation

Abstract

An installation of a new operating system on a data processing system can be aborted, wherein an old operating system, which is already resident on the data processing system, can be reused. During the installation of the new operating system, temporary files of the new operating system are built on the data processing system, based on information provided by a user. This information may be provided by voice input. After building the temporary files, the user is given an opportunity to abort the installation. If the user elects to abort the installation, then the temporary files of the new operating system are deleted and use of the old operating system continues. If the user elects to continue with the installation, then the new operating system is installed onto the data processing system.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for installing a new operating system on a data processing system, said data processing system having an old operating system located thereon, comprising the steps of:

a) building files of said new operating system in said data processing system without damaging said old operating system;

b) determining if the installation of said new operating system is either to continue or is to be aborted;

c) if the installation of said new operating system is to be aborted, then deleting said files of said new operating system and utilizing said old operating system in subsequent operations of said data processing system; and

d) if the installation of said new operating system is to continue, then permanently storing said files of said new operating system on said data processing system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said operating system contains options, further comprising the steps of:

a) prompting a user of said data processing system for information regarding said options; and

b) allowing said user to respond with voice sounds.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of prompting a user of said data processing system for information regarding said options further comprises the step of using voice sounds to prompt said user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of permanently storing said files of said new operating system on said data processing system further comprises the step of deleting said old operating system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said data processing system comprises volatile data storage and nonvolatile data storage, wherein:

a) said step of building files of said new operating system in said data processing system further comprises the step of storing said files of said new operating system in said volatile data storage; and

b) said step of permanently storing said files of said new operating system on said data processing system further comprises the step of storing said files of said new operating system in said nonvolatile data storage.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said data processing system comprises an input device, said step of building files of said new operating system in said data processing system further comprises the step of locking said input device during said step of building files of said new operating system in said data processing system so as to prevent the entry of data, but to allow the entry of information relating to aborting the installation.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said operating system contains options, further comprising the steps of:

a) prompting a user of said data processing system for information regarding said options; and

b) allowing said user to choose the manner of responding, said manner of responding taken from the group consisting of voice sounds, touching a display, a mouse and a keyboard.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of accepting information regarding the installation of said operating system, before said files are built.

9. A system for installing a new operating system on a data processing system, said data processing system having an old operating system located thereon, comprising:

a) means for building files of said new operating system in said data processing system without damaging said old operating system;

b) means for determining if the installation of said new operating system is either to continue or is to be aborted;

c) means for deleting said files of said new operating system if the installation of said new operating system is to be aborted and utilizing said old operating system; and

d) means for permanently storing said files of said new operating system on said data processing system if the installation of said new operating system is to continue.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said operating system contains options, further comprising:

a) means for prompting a user of said data processing system for information regarding said options; and

b) means for allowing said user to respond with voice sounds.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said means for prompting a user of said data processing system for information regarding said options further comprises means for using voice sounds to prompt said user.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said means for permanently storing said files of said new operating system on said data processing system further comprising means for deleting said old operating system.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said data processing system comprises volatile data storage and nonvolatile data storage, wherein:

a) said means for building files of said new for storing said files of said new operating system in said volatile data storage; and

said new operating system on said data processing system further comprises means for storing said files of said new operating system in said nonvolatile data storage.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein said data processing system comprises an input device, said means for building files of said new operating system in said data processing system further comprises means for locking said input device during the building of files of said new operating system in said data processing system so as to prevent the entry of data, but to allow the entry of information relating to aborting the installation.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein said operating system contains options, further comprising:

a) means for prompting a user of said data processing system for information regarding said options; and

b) means for allowing said user to choose the manner of responding, said manner of responding taken from the group consisting of voice sounds, touching a display, a mouse and a keyboard.

16. The system of claim 9, further comprising means for accepting information regarding the installation of said operating system, before said files are built.