Method and system for installing and testing build-to-order components in a defined configuration computer system

• US 6,598,223 B1
• Filed: 10/06/1999
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Barajas, Gaston M., Vrhel, Thomas Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Khatri, Anil
• Application Number:
  US09/413,463
• Time in Patent Office: 1,385 Days
• Field of Search: 717/174, 717/121, 717/172, 717/177, 717/122, 717/168, 717/170, 717/171, 717/176, 717/120, 717/202, 717/520
• US Class Current: 717/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation

Abstract

A computer system manufacturing process is disclosed in which a customer may order a computer system having one of several defined or base configurations of hardware and software components. After specifying the base configuration of hardware and software components, the user may identify custom hardware or software components to be added to the system. During the manufacturing process, the computer system accesses a network for retrieving a data record of the customer order and downloading the software of the computer system. The software to be downloaded will include the software of the base configuration and any custom software. Following the installation of the custom hardware and software components, the computer system will be tested to evaluate the function of the system components and the integration of the custom components and the components of the base configuration. Following a successful test, test software and networking software are removed from the computer system before the operating system of the computer system is resealed and the computer system is shipped to the customer.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a computer system, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a customer order for a computer system having a defined configuration of components;

obtaining a customer order for the addition of a custom component to the defined configuration of the computer system;

manufacturing the computer system according the defined configuration;

adding the custom component to the computer system;

performing a system test of the computer system to evaluate the functionality and integration of the components of the defined configuration and the custom component.

2. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 1,

wherein the custom component is a custom software component, and

wherein the step of adding the custom software component to the computer system comprises the steps of,

accessing a computer network;

retrieving a data record from a database on the computer network, the data record identifying the custom software component to be added to the computer system;

downloading the custom software component to the computer system; and

installing the custom software component on the computer system.

3. The method of manufacturing a computer system of claim 2, further comprising the step of downloading from the computer network test software for testing the custom software component of the computer system.

4. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 3, further comprising the step of removing the test software from the computer system.

5. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 4, further comprising the step of removing from the computer system networking software configured to couple the computer system to the computer network.

6. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 5, further comprising the step of sealing the operating system of the computer system for shipment.

7. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 1,

wherein the custom component is a custom hardware component;

and

wherein the step of adding the custom hardware component to the computer system comprises the steps of,

installing the custom hardware component in the computer system;

accessing a computer network;

retrieving a data record from a database on the computer network, the data record identifying the custom hardware component to be added to the computer system; and

downloading from the computer network any software necessary for the installation or operation of the custom hardware component.

8. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 7, further comprising the step of downloading from the computer network test software necessary for testing the custom hardware component of the computer system.

9. The method for performing diagnostic services of claim 8, further comprising the step of removing the test software from the computer system.

10. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 9, further comprising the step of removing from the computer system networking software configured to couple the computer system to the computer network.

11. The method for performing diagnostic services of claim 10, further comprising the step of sealing the operating system of the computer system for shipment.

12. A method for manufacturing a computer system having user-specified components and a base configuration of hardware and software components, comprising the steps of:

receiving a customer order for a computer system having a base configuration of hardware and software components;

receiving a customer order for a custom component to be installed in the computer system;

assembling a computer system having the base configuration of hardware and software components;

installing the custom component;

accessing a data record maintained on a computer network from the computer system, the data record including an identification of the custom component to be installed in the computer system;

receiving at the computer system from a location on the computer network test software for testing the custom component;

testing the custom component; and

removing the test software from the computer system.

13. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 12, wherein the step of installing a custom component comprises the step of installing a custom hardware component.

14. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 12, further comprising the step of downloading from the computer network to the hard drive of the computer system an image of the software of the base configuration of the computer system.

15. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 14, further comprising the step of removing from the computer system software that is applicable to the network connection between the computer system and the computer network.

16. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 15, further comprising the step of sealing the operating system of the computer system for shipment.

17. A computer system, comprising:

a processor;

a memory;

a storage device, the computer system having been manufactured in accordance with a manufacturing process in which a custom software or hardware component is added to a computer system having a base configuration of defined hardware and software components, the custom component being identified via access to a computer network, any additional software necessary for the installation of the custom component being downloaded from the computer network, the computer system having been tested following installation of the custom component to evaluate the functionality of the computer and the integrity of the combination of the components of the base configuration and the custom component.

18. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the software downloaded from the computer network includes test software for testing the custom component.

19. The computer system of claim 18, wherein software operable for the testing of the computer system having been deleted from the computer system following a successful test of the computer system.

20. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the software downloaded from the computer network includes networking software for accessing the computer network.

21. The computer network of claim 20, wherein software operable for connecting the computer system to the computer network having been deleted from the computer system following a successful test of the computer system.

22. A method for manufacturing a computer system having user-specified components and a base configuration of hardware and software components, comprising the steps of:

receiving a customer order for a computer system having a base configuration of hardware and software components;

receiving a customer order for a custom component to be installed in the computer system;

assembling a computer system having the base configuration of hardware and software components;

installing the custom component;

booting the computer system from local software loaded to a local external media drive;

accessing a computer network from the local software;

reading a data record maintained on a computer network, the data record including an identification of the custom component to be installed in the computer system;

receiving at the computer system from a location on the computer network test software for testing the custom component;

testing the custom component; and

removing the test software from the computer system.

23. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 22, wherein the step of installing a custom component comprises the step of installing a custom hardware component.

24. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 22, further comprising the step of removing from the computer system software that is applicable to the network connection between the computer system and the computer network.

25. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 24, further comprising the step of sealing the operating system of the computer system for shipment.

26. A method for manufacturing a computer system having user-specified components and a base configuration of hardware and, software components, comprising the steps of:

receiving a customer order for a computer system having a base configuration of hardware and software components;

receiving a customer order for a custom component to be installed in the computer system;

assembling a computer system having the base configuration of hardware and software components;

installing the custom component;

booting the computer system from local software loaded to a local external media drive;

accessing a computer network from the local software;

downloading from the computer network the software components of the base configuration;

reading a data record maintained on a computer network, the data record including an identification of the custom component to be installed in the computer system;

downloading from the computer network custom software necessary for the operation of the custom component.

receiving at the computer system from a location on the computer network test software for testing the custom component;

testing the custom component;

removing the test software from the computer system;

removing networking software from the computer system; and

sealing the computer system for shipment.

27. A method for manufacturing a computer system having user-specified components and a base configuration of hardware and software components, comprising the steps of:

receiving a customer order for a computer system having a base configuration of hardware and software components;

receiving a customer order for a custom component to be installed in the computer system;

assembling a computer system having the base configuration of hardware and software components;

booting the computer system from local software loaded to a local external media drive;

accessing a computer network from the local software;

reading a data record maintained on a computer network, the data record including an identification of the custom component to be installed in the computer system;

installing the custom component,

receiving at the computer system from a location on the computer network test software for testing the custom component;

testing the custom component, and

removing the test software from the computer system.

28. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 27, wherein the step of installing a custom component comprises the step of installing a custom hardware component.

29. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 27, further comprising the step of removing from the computer system software that is applicable to the network connection between the computer system and the computer network.

30. The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 29, further comprising the step of stealing the operating system of the computer system for shipment.