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Personal computer security system

  • US 5,483,649 A
  • Filed: 07/01/1994
  • Issued: 01/09/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system of protecting data stored on the hard disk of a personal computer from inadvertent or intentional distortion, the personal computer having a central processing unit and memory, a hard disk controller having a command register, a hard disk having sectors and a master boot record, and address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and peripheral devices coupled thereto, the memory comprising a basic input/output system, a modular device driver, an operating system kernel, an application program and an interrupt vector table containing original interrupt handlers, said system comprising:

  • means for establishing a single access path to the hard disk controller from the application program;

    said means for establishing only one access path comprises means for monitoring requests by the application program to the operating system kernel, the modular device driver and the basic input/output system;

    said means for establishing only one access path further comprises a programmable restriction module that permits the servicing of only those requests that utilize the operating system kernel, the modular device driver and the basic input/output system while precluding the servicing of any other requests; and

    said programmable restriction module being coupled to the personal computer address, data and control busses and being operatable in a passive mode thereby allowing servicing of those requests utilizing the operating system kernal, the modular device driver, and the basic input output system or being operatable in an active mode thereby preventing the servicing of any other requests.

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