Computer operating system installation

• US 6,351,850 B1
• Filed: 11/13/1998
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frank Van Gilluwe, Kerry Krieger, Sam Dunham
• Original Assignee: Frank Van Gilluwe, Kerry Krieger, Sam Dunham
• Inventors: Dunham, Sam, Krieger, Kerry, van Gilluwe, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Powell, Mark R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Khatri, Anil
• Application Number:
  US09/191,753
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 717/3, 717/11, 717/1, 707/203, 707/204, 707/511, 707/104, 713/1, 713/2, 709/212, 710/20, 714/2, 714/25, 714/201, 714/202, 714/710, 714/764
• US Class Current: 717/175
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99954 Version management

Abstract

Disclosed herein is apparatus and a method of installing a computer operating system on a data storage medium of a computer system. The computer system includes a processor and the data storage medium. The apparatus and method includes reading the data storage medium for a set of storage medium characteristics including the partition boundaries of each existing partition on the data storage medium. An identification of the operating system to be installed on the data storage medium is then received, typically in the form of a user input signal. The installation characteristic set of the identified operating system is then retrieved from an operating system rule database of the computer system, which rule database can contain a set of installation characteristics for each of a plurality of identified operating systems including a space required by each operating system on the storage medium. The read data storage medium characteristic set is compared with the retrieved operating system installation characteristic set. When the two sets differ by one or more characteristics, at least one of the data storage medium characteristics is modified so that the operating system can be installed on the data storage medium. The modifications can, for example, include one or more of moving an existing storage medium partition, resizing an existing storage medium partition, or establishing a new storage medium partition. Following the foregoing preparation of the storage medium, the operating system will typically be installed on the data storage medium.

Claims

1. A method of installing an operating system on a data storage device of a computer system wherein the method comprises the steps of:

selecting an operating system for installation on the computer system wherein the operating system is a software platform that schedules tasks, manages storage, controls the communications between peripherals and runs other programs referred to as applications;

reading a plurality of storage characteristics of the data storage device to determine number, size and boundaries of the existing partitions on the data storage device;

identifying the selected operating in an installation rules database on the computer system wherein the installation rules database contains an installation characteristics and rule set for each of the operating systems residing in the database;

retrieving an installation characteristic and rules set for the selected operating system from installation rules database of the computer system, wherein the installation characteristic and rules set including the characteristics and rules, including the size and boundary requirements of a partition required to install the selected operating system on the data storage device properly;

comparing storage characteristic of the data storage device with the retrieved installation characteristics and rule set;

modifying the size and boundaries of a partition so that the selected operating system can be properly installed on the data storage device, if the two sets differ by one or more of the characteristics wherein the modification can include moving one or more of an existing partition, resizing an existing partition, and establishing a new partition; and

installing the selected operating system on to the data storage device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the storage characteristics set additionally includes identifying an operating system a file structure present in each partition, and available space in each partition wherein the operating system installation characteristics and rule set additionally includes a file structure with which the operating system is compatible.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of comparing, modifying, resizing, and establishing additionally includes steps of relocating data into at least one moved and resized partition.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein following the step of comparing the storage characteristics of the data storage device with the retrieved installation characteristics and rule set of the operating system, steps of generating a list of the modifications to be made to at least one of the partitions of the data storage device, displaying the list of modifications to be made, and making the modifications upon receipt of a user affirmation signal are performed.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the storage characteristics of the data storage device and the identity of the selected operating system or the retrieved installation characteristics and rule set for the operating system to be installed indicates that the selected operating system to be installed is an updated version of the operating system that already exists in an existing partition on the data storage device and where one or more files are required from the existing operating system performs the steps of comparing, modifying, resizing, creating a new partition, copying the required files to the new partition and installing the operating system in the new partition.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the storage characteristics of the data storage device and the identity of the selected operating system or the retrieved installation characteristics and rule set for the operating system to be installed indicates that the selected operating system to be installed is an updated version of the operating system that already exists in an existing partition on the data storage device and where one or more files are required from the existing operating system performs the steps of comparing, modifying, resizing, creating a new partition, copying all the files to the new partition and installing the operating system in the new partition.

7. The method according to claim 1 further comprises a step of alerting a user when the two sets differ by at least one predetermined storage characteristic.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein a step of determining a strategy for modifying number, size and boundaries of partitions of the data storage device storage device based on a set of predetermined weighting factors and parameters required to install the operating system properly installed prior to modifying the storage characteristics of the data storage device is performed.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein prior to modifying the storage characteristics of the data storage device performing the steps of:

determining the priority and rank of the each strategy for modifying the partitions of the data storage device based on the predetermined weighting factors and parameters of each strategy; and

displaying the priority and rank of the each strategy for modifying the partitions of the data storage device in accordance with the strategy that corresponds a selection made by a user.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein a critical characteristic is calculated by subtracting the minimum space requirement needed to properly install the operating system from the total available space on the data storage device.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein a critical characteristic is the difference between the magnitude of available space on the data storage device and the size of the partition used for an incompatible existing operating system less than the predetermined minimum space required for the operating system to be installed.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data storage device can be either a magnetic or a optical disk drive.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection of the operating system to be installed is result of a signal received from a user interface.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the installation rules database is present on the data storage device onto which the operating system is installed.

15. A computer system that installs an operating system on a data storage device of a computer system comprising:

program logic configured to select an operating system for installation on the computer system wherein the operating system is a software platform that schedules tasks, manages storage, controls the communications between peripherals and runs other programs referred to as applications;

program logic configured to read a purality of storage characteristics to determine number, size and boundaries of the existing partitions on the data storage device;

program logic configured to identify the selected operating in a installation rules database on the computer system wherein the installation rules database contains an installation characteristics and rule set for each of the operating systems residing in the database;

program logic configured to retrieve the installation characteristics and rule set for the selected operating system from installation rules database on the computer system, wherein the installation characteristics and rule set consisting of the characteristics and rules, including the size and boundary requirements of the partition required to install the selected operating system on the data storage device properly;

program logic configured to compare storage characteristic of the data storage device with the retrieved installation characteristics and rule set when the two sets differ by one or more predetermined characteristics, modify at least one of the storage medium characteristics so that the identified operating system can be installed on the data storage medium, the modification including one or more of moving an existing storage medium partition, resizing an existing storage medium partition, and establishing a new storage medium partition; and

program logic configured to modify the size and boundaries of a partition so that the selected operating system can be properly installed on the data storage device, if the two sets differ by one or more of the characteristics wherein the modification can include moving one or more of an existing partition, resizing an existing partition, and establishing a new partition; and

program logic configured to install the selected operating system on to the data storage device.

16. The computer system according to claim 15, wherein the program logic configured to install an operating system additionally includes the program logic configured to relocate data in a moved and resized partitions.

17. The computer system according to claim 15, wherein the program logic configured to read the storage characteristic additionally includes program logic configured to identify an operating system in each partition, identify the file structure and the available space present in each partition;

and

program logic configured to retrieve the installation characteristics and rule set of the identified operating system to be installed additionally includes program logic configured to retrieve a file structure that is compatible with the identified operating system from the installation rules database.

18. The computer system according to claim 15, wherein the program logic is configured to compare the storage characteristic of the data storage devices with the retrieved installation characteristics and rule set of the identified operating system, also generates a list of the modifications to be made to the data storage device, displays the list of modifications, and makes the modifications upon receipt of affirmation signal from a user.

19. The computer system according to claim 15, wherein the computer system is additionally programmed to generate a user alert when the two installation characteristic sets differ by a predetermined critical characteristic wherein when the storage characteristics of the data storage device and the identity of the selected operating system or the retrieved installation characteristics and rule set for the operating system to be installed indicates that the selected operating system to be installed is an updated version of the operating system in an existing partition on the data storage device and where one or more files are required from the existing operating system the program logic is configured to compare, modify, resize, create a new partition, copy the required files to the new partition and install the operating system in the new partition.

20. The computer system according to claim 15, wherein when the storage characteristics of the data storage device and the identity of the selected operating system or the retrieved installation characteristics and rule set for the operating system to be installed indicates that the selected operating system to be installed is an updated version of the operating system that already exists in an existing partition on the data storage device and where one or more files are required from the existing operating system the program logic is configured to compare, modify, resize, create a new partition, copy all of the files to the new partition and install the operating system in the new partition.

21. The computer system according to claim 15, wherein the program logic is configured to generate a user alert when the two installation characteristic sets differ by at least one predetermined storage characteristic.

22. The computer system according to claim 15, wherein the program logic is configured to determine a strategy for modifying number, size and boundaries of partitions of the data storage device storage device based on a set of predetermined weighting factors and parameters required to install the operating system properly installed prior to modifying the storage characteristics of the data storage device is performed.

23. The computer system according to claim 22, wherein prior to modifying the storage characteristics of the data storage device performing programmed logic of the computer system is configured to:

determine the priority and rank of the each strategy for modifying the partitions of the data storage device based on the predetermined weighting factors and parameters of each strategy; and

display the priority and rank of the each strategy for modifying the partitions of the data storage device in accordance with the strategy that corresponds a selection made by a user.

24. A computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium carrying computer readable code embodied therein for preparing a data storage device of a computer system to receive the installation of an operating system, and when the code is loaded into a computer system having the data storage device and a processor, causes the processor to perform the steps of;

reading a purality of storage characteristics to determine number, size and boundaries of the existing partitions on the data storage device;

identifying the selected operating in a installation rules database on the computer system wherein the installation rules database contains an installation characteristics and rule set for each of the operating systems residing in the database;

retrieving an installation characteristic and rules set for the selected operating system from installation rules database of the computer system, wherein the installation characteristic and rules set consisting of the characteristics and rules, including the size and boundary requirements of the partition required to install the selected operating system on the data storage device properly;

comparing storage characteristic of the data storage device with the retrieved installation characteristics and rule set;

modifying the size and boundaries of a partition so that the selected operating system can be properly installed on the data storage device, if the two sets differ by one or more of the characteristics wherein the modification can include moving one or more of an existing partition, resizing an existing partition, and establishing a new partition; and

installing the selected operating system on to the data storage device.

25. The computer program product according to claim 24 wherein, the storage characteristics set additionally includes identifying an operating system a file structure present in each partition, and available space in each partition wherein the operating system installation characteristics and rule set additionally includes a file structure with which the operating system is compatible.

26. The computer program product according to claim 24 wherein, following the step of comparing the storage characteristics of the data storage device with the retrieved installation characteristics of the operating system, steps of generating a list of the modifications to be made to at least one of the partitions of the data storage device, displaying the list of modifications to be made, and making the modifications upon receipt of a user affirmation signal are performed.

27. The computer program product according to claim 24 wherein, wherein when the storage characteristics of the data storage device and the identity of the selected operating system or the retrieved installation characteristics and rule set for the operating system to be installed indicates that the selected operating system to be installed is an updated version of the operating system that already exists in an existing partition on the data storage device and where one or more files are required from the existing operating system performs the steps of comparing, modifying, resizing, creating a new partition, copying all the files to the new partition and installing the operating system in the new partition.

28. A computer-readable medium of instructions for installing a computer operating system on a computer system having a data storage medium and an operating system rule data base having a set of installation characteristics for each of a plurality of operating systems including a space required by each operating system on the data storage medium, wherein the computer-readable medium instructions comprise:

means for reading a purality of storage characteristics to determine number, size and boundaries of the existing partitions on the data storage device;

means responsible to a user identification of an operating system to be installed on the data storage device for retrieving the installation characteristics and rule set of the identified operating system from the installation rules database of the computer system;

means for comparing storage characteristic of the data storage device with the retrieved installation characteristics and rule set;

when the two sets differ by one or more characteristics, modifying at least one of the storage medium characteristics so that the selected operating system can be installed on the data storage medium, the modification including one or more of moving an existing storage medium partition, resizing an existing storage medium partition, and establishing a new storage medium partition;

means for modifying the size and boundaries of a partition so that the selected operating system can be properly installed on the data storage device, if the two sets differ by one or more of the characteristics wherein the modification can include moving one or more of an existing partition, resizing an existing partition, and establishing a new partition; and

means for installing the selected operating system on to the data storage device.

29. A computer-readable medium of instructions for installing a computer operating system on a computer system having a processor, display, data storage medium and an operating system rule data base having a set of installation characteristics for each of a plurality of identified operating systems including a space required by each operating system on the data storage medium, wherein the computer-readable medium instructions comprise:

controlling means for enabling the computer processor to;

read a plurality of storage characteristics to determine number, size and boundaries of existing partitions on the data storage device;

identify the selected operating in a installation rules database on the computer system wherein the installation rules database contains an installation characteristics and rule set for each of the operating systems residing in the database;

retrieve an installation characteristic and rules set for the selected operating system from installation rules database of the computer system, wherein the installation characteristic and rules set consisting of the characteristics and rules, including the size and boundary requirements of the partition required to install the selected operating system on the data storage device properly;

compare storage characteristic of the data storage device with the retrieved installation characteristics and rule set;

modify the size and boundaries of a partition so that the selected operating system can be properly installed on the data storage device, if the two sets differ by one or more of the characteristics wherein the modification can include moving one or more of an existing partition, resizing an existing partition, and establishing a new partition; and

install the selected operating system on to the data storage device.

30. The computer-readable medium as set forth in claim 29 wherein the controlling means enable the computer processor to:

identify the operating system, available space and a file structure present on each partition of the data storage device; and

retrieve a file structure from the installation database that is compatible with the operating system being installed.

31. The computer-readable medium as set forth in claim 29 wherein following the compare of the read data storage medium characteristic set with the retrieved operating system installation characteristic set, the controlling means enable the computer processor to:

generate a list of the modifications to be made to the storage characteristics of the data storage device;

display at least one of the modifications on the list on the computer system display; and

perform the modifications upon receipt of a user affirmation signal.

32. The computer-readable medium as set forth in claim 29 wherein when the storage characteristics of the data storage device and the identity of the selected operating system or the retrieved installation characteristics and rule set for the operating system to be installed indicates that the selected operating system to be installed is an updated version of the operating system that already exists in an existing partition on the data storage device and where one or more files are required from the existing operating system, the controlling means enables the computer processor to create a new partition and copy the required files to the new partition and install the operating system in the new partition.

33. The computer-readable medium as set forth in claim 29 wherein the controlling means enable the computer processor to generate a user alert when the two installation characteristic sets differ by at least one predetermined storage characteristic.

34. The computer-readable medium as set forth in claim 29 wherein prior to modifying the storage characteristics of the data storage device, the controlling means enable the computer processor to:

determine a strategy for modifying number, size and boundaries of partitions of the data storage device storage device based on a set of predetermined weighting factors and parameters required to install the operating system properly on a data storage device.