Abstract: At a vendor-managed web site, purchasing information is received from a first terminal, including purchasing information that is customized for a customer. The customer includes first and second users having respective first and second levels of authorized access to the purchasing information. The first user is identified by a first identifier, and the second user is identified by a second identifier. To a second terminal, access at the vendor-managed web site is provided to: only a first portion of the purchasing information in response to receiving the first identifier from the second terminal which identifies the first user; and at least a second portion of the purchasing information in response to receiving the second identifier from the second terminal which identifies the second user. The second portion includes at least a part of the first portion and a third portion of the purchasing information. The part of the first portion includes at least a portion of the customized purchasing information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically manufacturing a computer. An order is received from a customer. A manufacturing plant assembles together the hardware and software components from stores specified by the order, and loads the software packages onto the computer. A Web page is provided for the customer to specify any software modifications required. Those modifications are recorded as auto-modification files. The auto-modification files and the order details are checked against each other and the manufacturer's current capabilities for consistency by a validation unit. Each auto-modification file in turn is called by the manufacturing control unit, which determines the configuration data corresponding thereto and enters that configuration data into the computer as the software packages are being loaded.

Abstract: At a vendor-managed web site, purchasing information is received from a first terminal, including purchasing information that is customized for a customer. The customer includes first and second users having respective first and second levels of authorized access to the purchasing information. The first user is identified by a first identifier, and the second user is identified by a second identifier. To a second terminal, access at the vendor-managed web site is provided to: only a first portion of the purchasing information in response to receiving the first identifier from the second terminal which identifies the first user; and at least a second portion of the purchasing information in response to receiving the second identifier from the second terminal which identifies the second user. The second portion includes at least a part of the first portion and a third portion of the purchasing information. The part of the first portion includes at least a portion of the customized purchasing information.

Abstract: At a vendor-managed web site, purchasing information is received from a first terminal, including purchasing information that is customized for a customer. The customer includes first and second users having respective first and second levels of authorized access to the purchasing information. The first user is identified by a first identifier, and the second user is identified by a second identifier. To a second terminal, access at the vendor-managed web site is provided to: only a first portion of the purchasing information in response to receiving the first identifier from the second terminal which identifies the first user; and at least a second portion of the purchasing information in response to receiving the second identifier from the second terminal which identifies the second user. The second portion includes at least a part of the first portion and a third portion of the purchasing information. The part of the first portion includes at least a portion of the customized purchasing information.

Abstract: A method and system for performing very high speed software downloads concurrent with system testing in an automated production environment and for test-sequencing in multi-tasking environments with consolidated automation and interactive operations are described. In one embodiment, during diagnostics and software download, a multi-tasking OS is booted on a target computer system, thereby enabling diagnostics to be run at the same time the software download is performed. A visual step-sequencing engine provides the ability to sequentially execute steps, as well as to execute steps in parallel and to combine parallel and sequential steps into loops. The sequencing engine provides a visual representation of the current run status of the target system in a Main window.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a computer system, including a selected hardware configuration and a selected software configuration. An order is placed on an order entry system which generates a hardware list and a software list from the order. In one embodiment, the hardware list is checked to verify that the selected hardware components are compatible with each other. In another other embodiment, the software list is checked to verify that the software components on the list are compatible with one another. In another embodiment, the software and hardware lists are cross checked to verify compatibility of the hardware components with the software components. The software components are recorded on a storage device to enable a user to restore the software components at a later time should that ever become necessary.

Abstract: A system for restricting access to computer information accessible by a computer system. A computer system having access to computer information includes a detection circuit for receiving a wireless identification signal from a transmitting circuit of an identification object such as an identification badge. The identification signal includes identification information regarding the assigned possessor of the security object. In one embodiment, the detection circuit determines whether the assigned possessor of the security object as indicated by the wireless identification signal has authorized access to computer information accessible by the computer system. A user is given access if the identification information contained in the identification signal indicates that the assigned possessor is an authorized user.

Abstract: An information handling system is disclosed that retires events upon device replacement. The system has several devices of one or more types and each device includes nonvolatile memory. A unique identifier, for devices of that type, is stored in the nonvolatile memory of each device. A first memory segment stores an event log. The event log has entries that identify system events. A second memory segment stores identifiers of devices that correspond to an entry of the event log. At least one of the corresponding devices is removable. The system detects the removal of the devices and, in response, removes any entries in the event log that correspond only to identifiers of one or more devices that have been removed.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for advising on a lead time for a customer configured computer system, selection input from a customer is received. In response to the selection input, a customer computer system is configured. Lead time for the configured computer system is advised by outputting an estimated ship date for delivery of the configured computer system to the customer. The estimated ship date is a function of lead times of selected options of the configured computer system. Lead time is further advised by outputting a customer selectable option for optimizing the delivery, accordingly, the ship date.

Abstract: A web-based online store user interface enables custom configuration of a computer system according to identification of a user belonging to a prescribed customer set. A configurator configures a computer system with options selected according to a desired user input, and presents the options and a respective pricing for each option on a configurator web page. A database dynamically supplies configuration options to the configurator in accordance with identification of the user belonging to the customer set. A cart temporarily stores a configured computer system and presents the configured system on a cart web page. Lastly, an interactive upsell advisor operatively couples to the configurator, the database, and the cart, wherein the advisor selectively provides an upsell recommendation to the cart as a user selectable cart option on the cart web page, further as a function of the customer set, the configured computer system, and upsell advisor business rules.

Abstract: A self-diagnostic circuit for speaker systems that allows a speaker system to generate its own test signals, e.g., tones, appropriate for the transducer(s) in the speaker system. The test signals are routed to the analog circuits in the speaker system. The test signals are also routed to the transducers, so that an operator can evaluate speaker output tones. In one embodiment, the test signals are also routed to an analog activity sensor that senses activity in the speaker analog circuit paths and sends a status indicator to be displayed to the operator. In a first embodiment, the self-diagnostic circuit is a part of a stand-alone speaker system, such as a home theater sound system. In a second embodiment, the self-diagnostic circuit is included in a speaker system that is included in a computer system.

Abstract: A system for dynamically implementing a plurality of virtual local area networks (“VLANs”) across multiple sites is provided. The system includes a first VLAN-capable switch at a first site; a first system under test (“SUT”) connected to the first VLAN-capable switch via a first burn rack switch; a second VLAN-capable switch located at a second site remote from the first site; a second SUT connected to the second VLAN-capable switch via a second burn rack switch. The first and second VLAN-capable switches are connected such that the first and second SUTs are connected to a single virtual private network (“VPN”). The connection may include either first and second routers respectively connected to the first and second VLAN-capable switches and interconnected via a T1 line or an ATM connection.

Abstract: A communication apparatus including a wireless communication device, a network interface device and a receptacle assembly body. A data transfer portion is attached to the receptacle assembly body. The data transfer portion is electrically connected to the network interface device. A wireless communication portion is attached to receptacle assembly body. The wireless communication portion is electrically connected to the wireless communication device. A single receptacle assembly can be used to separately interconnect a plurality of types of communication devices to an electronic device in a space efficient and cost effective manner.

Abstract: A method of providing a desired language version of textual portions of a source code program for a computer system. During the system assembly process, a system description record (SDR) is read that identifies the operating system, including the desired language version thereof, and other software programs. A text file corresponding to at least one of the programs is read and a native-language version of the program is installed on the computer system. A translation script operates to select a translation routine from a set of available translation routines, the selection being based on the nature of the text file, the operating system, and the desired language translation. The translation routine locates native-language text strings in the text file and substitutes the desired language translations of those strings. The translation process takes place substantially concurrently with installation of the program in the computer system.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a power supply dual remote sense. A power supply with a positive remote sense input is coupled to first and second load positions. The load positions are each coupled to a pull-down circuit to provide first and second voltages, respectively, to the inputs of the pull-down circuit. The pull-down circuit output is coupled to the positive remote sense input of the power supply. The voltage level of the pull-down circuit output is no greater than either of the first or second voltages provided at its inputs.

Abstract: At a vendor-managed web site, purchasing information is received from a first terminal, including purchasing information that is customized for a customer. The customer includes first and second users having respective first and second levels of authorized access to the purchasing information. The first user is identified by a first identifier, and the second user is identified by a second identifier. To a second terminal, access at the vendor-managed web site is provided to: only a first portion of the purchasing information in response to receiving the first identifier from the second terminal which identifies the first user; and at least a second portion of the purchasing information in response to receiving the second identifier from the second terminal which identifies the second user. The second portion includes at least a part of the first portion and a third portion of the purchasing information. The part of the first portion includes at least a portion of the customized purchasing information.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying an operating system of an error signal transmitted by a communications medium is disclosed. The communications medium connects a plurality of electronic devices. The operating system includes device drivers and is capable of configuring communications between one or more applications and the communications medium. A detector is coupled to the communications medium. The detector receives error signals transmitted by the communications medium, one or more error signals associated with one of the electronic devices. A BIOS is coupled to the detector. The BIOS is capable of determining an electronic device associated with a first error signal. The BIOS generates a hot-eject signal identifying that electronic device in response to the first error signal. The operating system blocks communications between the applications and the identified electronic device in response to the BIOS generating the hot-eject signal.

Abstract: A method and system for configuring and managing devices including network devices, such as a server computer, is provided in which a computer (24) is coupled to the network device through a USB connection (22). After the computer (24) recognizes the device as a USB-compliant device, the computer establishes data communication with the device. Following the establishment of data communication according to the USB standard, the device can be configured or monitored through the computer.

Abstract: A method of shutting down an information handling system is disclosed. Power is provided to a storage enclosure that includes a first storage device, a first operating condition monitor, and a first operating condition indicator having at least a first status and a second status. The status of the first operating condition indicator is updated based on the first operating condition monitor. One or more storage volumes are configured utilizing at least a portion of the storage enclosure. A first host detects the status of the first operating condition indicator. In response to detecting the first status of the first operating condition indicator, the first host determines whether the storage enclosure includes at least a portion of a critical storage volume and sends a shut down command from the first host to the storage enclosure. If the storage enclosure includes at least a portion of a critical storage volume, the first host is shut down.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a computer system, including a selected hardware configuration and a selected software configuration, utilizes a CD-ROM writer connected to a manufacturing system network to select and write a custom software configuration to a CD-ROM. The CD-ROM is used to install the selected software configuration onto a custom hardware configuration and to subsequently serve as a permanent backup copy of the software configuration. The CD-ROM is written with an identifier of the specific computer hardware assembled in the manufacturing process and the identification written to the CD-ROM is checked when the software is loaded from the CD-ROM onto the computer so that the software is only accessible to the specified computer hardware.