Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for providing a reset after an operating system (OS) hang condition in a computer system, the computer system including an interrupt handler not accessible by the OS. The method includes determining if an interrupt has been generated by a watchdog timer; monitoring for an OS hang condition by the interrupt handler if the interrupt has been generated and after it is known that the OS is operating; and resetting the OS if a device driver within the OS has not set a bit in a register, the bit for indicating that the OS is operating. The method and system in accordance with the present invention uses existing hardware and software within a computer system to reset the OS. The present invention uses a method by which a critical hardware watchdog periodically wakes a critical interrupt handler of the computer system.

Abstract: The method and system of the present invention provides improved access to databases in a computer system. The present invention includes a plurality of data sources, the data sources including at least one non-relational data source; a server coupled to the plurality of data sources, the server capable of providing client access to the plurality of data sources; and a store place data access layer (SPDAL) coupled to the server and the at least one non-relational data source, the SPDAL providing relational features to the at least one non-relational data source. In the preferred embodiment, the relational features provided include a two-phase commit process; a process for performing Structured Query Language (SQL) operations from within a single application; a referential integrity process; and a process for providing indices for non-relational data source files.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a progress indicator for an application in a computer system is disclosed. The method and system includes issuing a task request to the application, and graphically indicating a current status of the task request by a progress indicator when the application is iconified. The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a graphical extension of the icon representing the iconified application. In this manner, the user is informed of the current status of a task request issued to the application without the need to maximize the application. This saves both time and valuable system resources.

Abstract: Aspects for detecting faults in a redundant power converter are described. In an exemplary circuit aspect, a circuit for sensing faults in a redundant power converter includes a first voltage level detection mechanism and a second voltage level detection mechanism. The first voltage level detection mechanism detects a voltage level at a predetermined node relative to a first switch gate voltage during a first switch on-time. The second voltage level detection mechanism detects a voltage at the predetermined node relative to a second switch gate voltage during a second switch on-time, wherein a fault is detected when the voltage level violates a threshold level in one of the first voltage level detection mechanism and the second voltage level detection mechanism.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a backup of a portion of a source drive of a plurality of drives in a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID) data storage system is disclosed. The portion of the source includes a plurality of segments. The method and system include associating the source drive with a target drive of the plurality of drives and providing a copy of the plurality of segments on the target drive. The copy is provided such that input to and output from source drive and the target drive are allowed during the step of providing the copy of the plurality of segments.

Abstract: Aspects for reporting faults in a redundant power converter are described. An exemplary method aspect includes monitoring at least one node within the redundant power converter. The method further includes tracking values of the at least one node during a predetermined time period, and predicting when a specification of the redundant power converter will be exceeded based on the tracked values.