Method and system for installing files in a computing system

• US 6,490,723 B1
• Filed: 11/30/1999
• Issued: 12/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Gumbula, Srinivasa R., Bearden, Brian S., McGlothlin, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Khatri, Anil
• Application Number:
  US09/451,159
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 717/168, 717/173, 717/174, 717/177, 717/178, 717/169, 707/203, 707/511
• US Class Current: 717/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation

Abstract

In a computing system, at least one computer-readable medium is for storing information. The information includes at least one installation file. The installation file includes at least one first instruction and at least one table. Also, the information includes at least one programmable file. The programmable file includes at least one second instruction. The programmable file is specified by the first instruction. A computing device is for executing an installation program in response to the installation file for installing at least a portion of the information onto the computing system. In response to the first instruction, the computing device executes the programmable file for revising the table in response to which the computing device executes the installation program.

Claims

1. A computing system, comprising:

at least one computer-readable medium for storing information including;

at least one installation file including at least one instruction and at least one table; and

at least one programmable file that is executable and is specified by the instruction; and

a computing device for;

initiating execution of an installation program for installing at least a portion of the information onto the computing system in response to the installation file;

in the execution of the installation program, executing the instruction;

in response to the instruction specifying the programmable file, executing the programmable file for revising the table; and

in the execution of the installation program, installing at least the portion of the information onto the computing system in response to the revised table of the installation file.

2. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the portion is for installation onto the computer-readable medium of the computing system.

3. The computing system of claim 2 wherein the portion includes at least one software file for installation onto the computer-readable medium of the computing system.

4. The computing system of claim 3 wherein the software file is associated with a software application for installation onto the computer-readable medium of the computing system.

5. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the programmable file is a .DLL file.

6. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the programmable file is an .EXE file.

7. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the programmable file is a Java script file.

8. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the programmable file is a Visual Basic script file.

9. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the computer-readable medium is a hard disk.

10. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the computer-readable medium is a floppy diskette.

11. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the programmable file is stored external to the installation file.

12. The computing system of claim 11 wherein the computing device is for:

executing the instruction and receiving a key in response thereto; and

executing the programmable file for revising the table in response to the key.

13. A method performed by a computing system, comprising:

on at least one computer-readable medium, storing information including;

at least one installation file including at least one instruction and at least one table; and

at least one programmable file that is executable and is specified by the instruction; and

initiating execution of an installation program for installing at least a portion of the information onto the computing system in response to the installation file;

in the execution of the installation program, executing the instruction;

in response to the instruction specifying the programmable file, executing the programmable file for revising the table; and

in the execution of the installation program, installing at least the portion of the information onto the computing system in response to the revised table of the installation file.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the installing comprises installing the portion onto the computer-readable medium of the computing system in response to the revised table of the installation file.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the installing comprises installing at least one software file of the portion onto the computer-readable medium of the computing system in response to the revised table of the installation file.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the installing comprises installing a software application onto the computer-readable medium of the computing system in response to the revised table of the installation file, the software file being associated with the software application.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the storing comprises storing the information, the programmable file being a .DLL file.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the storing comprises storing the information, the programmable file being an .EXE file.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the storing comprises storing the information, the programmable file being a Java script file.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein the storing comprises storing the information, the programmable file being a Visual Basic script file.

21. The method of claim 13 wherein the storing comprises storing the information, the computer-readable medium being a hard disk.

22. The method of claim 13 wherein the storing comprises storing the information, the computer-readable medium being a floppy diskette.

23. The method of claim 13 wherein the storing comprises storing the programmable file external to the installation file.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the executing of the instruction comprises executing the instruction and receiving a key in response thereto;

and wherein the executing of the programmable file comprises executing the programmable file for revising the table in response to the key.