Fail-safe computer boot apparatus and method
First Claim
1. Apparatus for booting a computer in response to a boot command, the computer having a processor, a main volatile storage for storing programs for controlling the processor and an external non-volatile storage containing an operating system and apparatus responsive to the boot command for beginning a boot process by loading the operating system from the external storage into the main storage, the booting apparatus comprising:
- a first plurality of login files corresponding to a user-changeable system configuration;
a second plurality of login files corresponding to a predetermined system configuration;
first apparatus operable after the operating system has been loaded into the main storage and responsive to the boot command for configuring the operating system using the first plurality of login files;
apparatus responsive to the configuration of the operating system for determining whether the boot process completes;
apparatus responsive to the boot command for searching the main storage to locate a predetermined boot signature pattern; and
second apparatus responsive to a determination that the boot process has not completed for configuring the operating system using the second plurality of login files.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Login files necessary to successfully boot a computer and corresponding to a preselected, minimal system configuration are stored in a predetermined location in a selected non-volatile mass storage device attached to the computer. These latter login files are not configurable by the user. During a boot process, the boot program first attempts to boot the system using the conventional user-configured login files. However, after a predetermined number of attempts to boot the system using the user-configured files, the boot process switches to the minimal system files and boots the system using these files.
114 Citations
22 Claims
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1. Apparatus for booting a computer in response to a boot command, the computer having a processor, a main volatile storage for storing programs for controlling the processor and an external non-volatile storage containing an operating system and apparatus responsive to the boot command for beginning a boot process by loading the operating system from the external storage into the main storage, the booting apparatus comprising:
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a first plurality of login files corresponding to a user-changeable system configuration; a second plurality of login files corresponding to a predetermined system configuration; first apparatus operable after the operating system has been loaded into the main storage and responsive to the boot command for configuring the operating system using the first plurality of login files; apparatus responsive to the configuration of the operating system for determining whether the boot process completes; apparatus responsive to the boot command for searching the main storage to locate a predetermined boot signature pattern; and second apparatus responsive to a determination that the boot process has not completed for configuring the operating system using the second plurality of login files. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer system being bootable in response to a boot command, the computer system comprising:
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a processor; a main volatile storage for storing programs for controlling the processor; an external non-volatile storage containing an operating system; apparatus responsive to the boot command for beginning a boot process by loading the operating system from the external storage into the main storage; a first plurality of login files corresponding to a user-changeable system configuration stored in the external storage; a second plurality of login files corresponding to a predetermined system configuration stored in the external storage; first apparatus operable after the operating system has ben loaded into the main storage and responsive to the boot command for configuring the operating system using the first plurality of login files; apparatus responsive to the configuration of the operating system for determining whether the boot process completes; apparatus responsive to the boot command for searching the main storage to locate a predetermined boot signature pattern; and second apparatus responsive to a determination that the boot process has not completed for configuring the operating system using the second plurality of login files. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for booting a computer in response to a boot command, the computer having a processor, a main volatile storage for storing programs for controlling the processor and an external non-volatile storage containing an operating system, the method comprising the steps of:
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A. a first plurality of login files corresponding to a user-changeable system configuration; B. creating a second plurality of login fields corresponding to a predetermined system configuration; C. loading the operating system from the external storage into the main storage in response to the boot command; D. configuring the operating system using the first plurality of login files; E. determining whether the boot process completes by searching the main storage to locate a predetermined boot signature pattern; and F. configuring the operating system using the second plurality of login files when the boot process does not complete. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification