Method and apparatus for restoring a device to a default state

• US 20050277464A1
• Filed: 08/22/2005
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Whitten, Jon Marcus Randall, Pirich, Christopher M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,437,607 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0607 by facilitating the process of upgrading existing storage systems, e.g. for improving compatibility between host and storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0614 Improving the reliability of storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0634 by changing the state or mode of one or more devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0644 Management of space entities, e.g. partitions, extents, pools
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0676 Magnetic disk device

Abstract

A device includes a processor and a hard disk drive coupled to the processor. The hard disk drive stores various data associated with the device and includes a first partition and a second partition. Data stored in the first partition is cleared during a system reset operation. Data stored in the second partition is not cleared during the system reset operation. The first partition stores saved application data, device configuration information, and the like. The second partition stores a console application that implements a user interface to the device. The second partition also stores a reset application that implements a system reset operation.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a storage device coupled to the processor and configured to store a serial number and a hidden code associated with the apparatus, wherein the hidden code is distinct from the serial number; and

a hard disk drive coupled to the processor, the hard disk drive being configured to store various data associated with the apparatus, wherein the hard disk drive includes a first partition that is cleared during a system reset operation and a second partition that is not cleared during the system reset operation.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including a memory coupled to the processor.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including a portable media drive coupled to the processor and configured to communicate with a storage disc.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including a console application stored on the second partition of the hard disk drive and executable on the processor, the console application configured to implement a user interface to the apparatus.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including a reset application stored on the second partition of the hard disk drive and executable on the processor, the reset application configured to implement a system reset operation.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is a game console.

7. A method comprising:

contacting a technical support agent regarding a device;

providing a device serial number to the technical support agent;

receiving a passcode from the technical support agent;

applying the passcode to the device, the device verifying the applied passcode by calculating the passcode from a hidden code in the device, wherein the hidden code is distinct from the device serial number; and

resetting the device to a factory default state if the applied passcode is verified.

8. A method as recited in claim 7 further comprising maintaining the current state of the device if the passcode is not verified.

9. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein the passcode identifies a series of control inputs required to reset the device.

10. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein resetting the device includes deleting data in a first partition of a hard disk drive contained in the device.

11. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein the device is a game console.

12. One or more computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, perform the method as recited in claim 7.

13. A computer-readable medium for a game console comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, direct the game console to:

retrieve a hidden code stored in the game console, wherein the hidden code is distinct from a game console serial number;

calculate a passcode based on the hidden code;

receive a series of user inputs;

determine whether the series of user inputs matches the passcode; and

reset the game console to a factory default state if the series of user inputs matches the passcode.

14. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 13 wherein resetting the game console to a factory default state includes deleting data stored in a saved data partition of a hard disk drive integrated into the game console.

15. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 13 wherein the saved data partition of the hard disk drive includes saved game data.

16. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 13 wherein the saved data partition of the hard disk drive includes game console settings.

17. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 13 further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, direct the game console to maintain the current state of the game console if the series of user inputs does not match the passcode associated with the game console.