Managing multiple operating systems on a single computer
First Claim
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1. A system for computer boot-time processing, comprising:
- a computer having a display, a processor, and a memory accessible to the processor for holding data and instructions being executed by the processor;
pre-rendered graphical user interface component bitmaps; and
a boot-time graphical user interface module which displays on the display combinations of at least two pre-rendered bitmaps at boot-time to reflect interactive user selections;
wherein the system is a system for managing multiple operating systems on a computer to be booted, and the system further comprises a means for organizing the manner in which a plurality of operating systems are stored and booted.
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Abstract
The invention addresses the management of multiple operating systems on a single computer and other boot-time problems. A boot-time graphical user interface is described, including support for menus, tabs, non-ASCII characters, and other graphical user interface components in the pre-boot environment. Approaches to organizing the storage and selection of multiple operating system are also presented, including the use of multiple directories which are identified in operating system boot sectors.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for computer boot-time processing, comprising:
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a computer having a display, a processor, and a memory accessible to the processor for holding data and instructions being executed by the processor;
pre-rendered graphical user interface component bitmaps; and
a boot-time graphical user interface module which displays on the display combinations of at least two pre-rendered bitmaps at boot-time to reflect interactive user selections;
wherein the system is a system for managing multiple operating systems on a computer to be booted, and the system further comprises a means for organizing the manner in which a plurality of operating systems are stored and booted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A boot management system, comprising:
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a computer having a processor and a memory accessible to the processor for holding data and instructions being executed by the processor;
a user-editable text file describing operating systems and the boot files needed to boot them; and
a boot management program which compares an original equipment manufacturer field in an operating system boot record with a directory name, whereby the system supports selecting an operating system from among the supported operating systems listed in the text file, loading the selected operating system into the memory and yielding control to it, thereby booting the computer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A boot management system, comprising:
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a computer having a processor and a memory accessible to the processor for holding data and instructions being executed by the processor;
a user-editable text file describing operating systems and the boot files needed to boot them; and
a boot management program which writes a directory name in an original equipment manufacturer field in an operating system boot record, whereby the system supports selecting an operating system from among the supported operating systems listed in the text file, loading the selected operating system into the memory and yielding control to it, thereby booting the computer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A boot management system, comprising:
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a computer having a processor and a memory accessible to the processor for holding data and instructions being executed by the processor;
a user-editable text file describing operating systems and the boot files needed to boot them; and
a boot management program which detects a change from a first file system format to a second file system format and then boots an operating system and file system pair that operate using the second file system format, whereby the system supports selecting an operating system from among the supported operating systems listed in the text file, loading the selected operating system into the memory and yielding control to it, thereby booting the computer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification