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Customer self-help toolkit

  • US 6,684,242 B1
  • Filed: 05/02/2000
  • Issued: 01/27/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for preparing a computer for service activation with a network service provider, the method comprising:

  • querying the computer to produce an initial configuration setting regarding programmable hardware and software settings of the computer;

    analyzing the initial configuration setting to determine if the initial configuration setting meets a predetermined minimum configuration setting indicative of the computer being capable of service activation with the network service provider, wherein the predetermined minimum configuration setting varies as a function of geographic location of the computer;

    if the initial configuration setting meets the predetermined minimum configuration setting, testing the functionality of hardware of the computer necessary to be operational in order to enable service activation with the network service provider and producing a test result based on the testing;

    analyzing the test result to determine if the hardware of the computer is operational such that the computer is capable of service activation with the network service provider;

    installing at least one network related program into the computer upon determining that the computer is capable of service activation, the at least one network related program including a web browser program and enabling the computer to communicate with the network service provider as an unregistered guest in order to activate service with the network service provider;

    in connection with installing the at least one network related program into the computer, updating the initial configuration setting by changing appropriate hardware and software programmable settings of the computer to produce a final configuration setting in order to configure the computer for network service activation; and

    transferring the final configuration setting to the network service provider for preservation.

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