Abstract: An alternate boot record is stored on a hard disk drive in a data processing system at the opposite end of the hard disk from a master boot record. Extended boot records stored before each logical partition are employed for that partition when the master boot record or alternate boot record is utilized for system initialization. The alternate boot record is utilized to initialize the data processing system when attempts to initialize the data processing system utilizing the master boot record are unsuccessful. The alternate boot record thus forms part of an automatic recovery mechanism in the data processing system.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for using a device driver, or similarly system dependent software, of an operating system, which is single-tasking, in an operating system environment, which is multi-tasking. Each operating system operates according to known predefined driver models. The invention converts the calls from the multi-tasking system into calls of the single-tasking system by mapping the device driver command codes and entry points in accordance with the driver models of each operating system. The converted calls are provided to state logic, which also receives responses from the device driver. The state logic ensures that calls to the device driver are sequentialized, thus avoiding contention issues that may occur as a consequence of the multi-tasking environment and which the device driver may not have the appropriate functionality to handle. In this fashion, investments in system software, such as device drivers and TSRs, may be extended along the life of a subsequent operating system.