Method and system for receiving a software image from a customer for installation into a computer system

• US 7,146,612 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2001
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Sedlack, Derek J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Ted T.
• Application Number:
  US09/860,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20040025154A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,027 Days
• Field of Search: 717168-178, 714/30, 719/319, 713/2, 713/182, 713/1, 709/203
• US Class Current: 717/178
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/63 Image based installation; Cloning; Build to order

Abstract

A computer system is manufactured by providing a communications network between a customer and a manufacturer, configuring a first computer system to communicate with a second computer system and including a first program and a second program in the second computer system. The customer accesses the first program providing a software image to the manufacturer using the second program. The first program provides the customer with an option to upload the software image. The first program obtains customer information, and using the option, the customer requests the manufacturer to upload the software image in an ordered computer system. In response, the second program is downloaded to cause a boot disk to be created. The second program includes a boot code and a third program. The boot code and the third program are stored on the boot disk, the boot code being configured to initiate the third program. The second program is removed from the first computer system.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a computer system comprising:

providing a communications network between a customer and a manufacturer;

configuring a first computer system to communicate with a second computer system;

including a first program and a second program in the second computer system;

the customer accessing the first program providing a software image to the manufacturer using the second program;

the first program providing the customer with an option to upload the software image;

the first program containing customer information;

using the option, the customer requesting the manufacturer to upload the software image in an ordered computer system, and in response, the second program is downloaded to cause a boot disk to be created;

the second program including a boot code and a third program;

storing the boot code and the third program on the boot disk, the boot code being configured to initiate the third program; and

removing the second program from the first computer system.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

comparing the ordered computer system to a base image to determine differences.

3. The method as defined in claim 2, further comprising:

storing the differences between the ordered computer system and the base image in a delta file.

4. The method as defined in claim 3, further comprising:

manufacturing the ordered computer system by using the base image and the delta file.

5. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

recieving a customer order from a customer computer system via the Internet.

6. The method as defined in claim 5, further comprising:

storing a link onto the customer computer system.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

storing an address that associates the software image with the customer information.

8. The method as defined in claim 7, further comprising:

installing the software image on the first computer system.