Abstract: A portable computer includes a base having a perimeter including a plurality of sides and a module opening formed in one of the sides. A display panel having a viewing surface is housed by a cover pivotally connected to the base for movement between an open position and a closed position. The cover includes a visor extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the viewing surface of the display panel, such that the visor covers a portion of the module opening when the cover is in the closed position.

Abstract: A computer system having capability for implementing BIOS level configuration settings includes at least one processor, at least one memory, basic input output system (BIOS) firmware, and at least one BIOS configurable device. The at least one memory includes operating system code. The BIOS firmware includes a smart card BIOS level setting support feature. The BIOS configurable device is subject to being configured by the at least one processor in response to a prescribed smart card actuation of the smart card BIOS level setting support feature prior to a booting of the operating system code.

Abstract: A dynamic listener server architecture in which a DUT broadcasts a network package onto a LAN and each of a set of listener servers connected to the LAN responds to the DUT broadcast with an individual packet containing its network address. The DUT receives these packets and uses the first one it receives as the primary listener server until a subsequent broadcast by the DUT when either the DUT is rebooted and assumes itself in an unknown LAN or when the connection to the selected listener server fails and it is now looking for another listener server on the same LAN. The network address of the selected listener server is cached by the DUT and used in repeated sessions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is described herein for accommodating two types of hard disks, for example, SCSI disks and FC-AL disks, using a single, dual-purpose backplane. The dual-purpose backplane includes a plurality of drive bays each including a first connector for receiving a complementary connector of an SCSI disk and a second connector for receiving a complementary connector of an FC-AL disk. In a computer system, one or the other of the first and second connectors is mounted upside down to avoid overlapping and structural interference with connection of other hard disks to the backplane. In an external storage system, hard disks are inserted sideways, and thus one connector type is mounted on the backplane in an orientation rotated 180 degrees from the other connector type.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with data processing systems. The apparatus provides a split metallic conducting plane having a split formed by a substantially-dielectric-filled moat spanning a width of a side of a first metallic conducting part running substantially parallel to a side of a second metallic conducting part, with the moat structured such that the side of the first metallic part has at least two indentations and such that the side of the second metallic part has at least two indentations, and where a metallic trace is located proximate to the split metallic conducting plane.

Abstract: A data processing system including but not limited to a section of a first printed-circuit-board conductive element, the section of the first printed-circuit-board conductive element formed to follow at least one bent segment of a first printed-circuit-board path; a section of a second printed-circuit-board conductive element, the section of the second printed-circuit-board conductive element having at least a first part formed to follow at least one bent segment of a second printed-circuit-board path, where the at least one bent segment of the second printed-circuit-board path is substantially proximate to and has a length less than a length of the at least one bent segment of the first printed-circuit-board path; and the section of the second printed-circuit-board conductive element having at least a second part formed to follow a conductive-section-equalization feature which deviates from the second printed-circuit-board path, the at least a second part situated substantially proximate to the at least one

Abstract: A computer system includes first and second computer-readable media. The second computer-readable medium stores information specifying one of the first and second computer-readable media from which the computer system boots. The computer system reads the information from the second computer-readable medium and boots from the specified one of the first and second computer-readable media in response to an event and the information.

Abstract: An I/O shield bracket for an I/O window of a computer system chassis. The I/O shield bracket includes mechanisms for reducing electromagnetic radiation that emanates from the edge of the I/O shield bracket and the edge of the I/O window. In one embodiment, the I/O shield bracket includes an embossed portion that resides next to the edge of the I/O window. In another embodiment, the I/O shield bracket includes shield tabs that overlap an I/O window ledge surrounding the I/O window. An I/O gasket made of an electrically conductive material may be mounted to the I/O shield bracket to provide shielding between the I/O shield bracket and I/O connectors. The I/O shield bracket may include snap fingers for removably attaching the I/O shield bracket to a computer system chassis.

Abstract: A computer system including a chassis having two spaced apart walls, a transverse wall attached between the two spaced apart walls and a door pivotally attached to a first one of the two spaced apart walls. The door is movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to a second one of the two spaced apart walls. A first retaining pin is attached to the transverse wall. A second retaining pin is attached to the door. A mechanism is attached to the chassis for securing the door in the closed position. A peripheral device is mounted in the chassis. The first retaining pin is engaged with a first mounting hole in a first face of the peripheral device and the second mounting pin is engaged with a second hole in the second face of the peripheral device. The hinged or removable door allows the peripheral device to be cabled to the other components inside the computer before they are installed in the chassis.

Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly characterized by at least two decoupling capacitors for decoupling transient currents resulting from, for example, logic transitions in high-speed digital circuitry. The decoupling capacitors are physically arranged, and electrically connected between a power plane and a ground plane, so that transient currents flow in respectively opposite directions through the capacitors, thereby maximizing the capacitors' mutual inductance, and thus minimizing the electromagnetic interference generated by the capacitors.

Abstract: A retaining clip including a hollow shaft having a first end and a second end. A flange is fixedly attached at the first end of the shaft. The shaft and the flange are integrally formed. A plurality of retention members are resiliently attached to the shaft adjacent to the second end of the shaft. A helically wound spring is carried by the shaft and extends from adjacent to the flange towards the retention member. The retention clip may be used to attach a heat sink assembly to a printed circuit module. Each spring is capable of providing a force to engage the heat sink against the heat generating component with a constant force.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a housing including a top portion pivotally mounted on a base portion. The base portion includes a module bay formed therein and also includes an internal module bay connector. A modular AC adapter is removably mounted in the module bay. The adapter is provided with a stationary connector for engagement with the internal module bay connector. A storage compartment is provided in the adapter. A first movable connector assembly includes a connection to the adapter positioned in the storage compartment. A second movable connector assembly is provided for connection to the adapter in the storage compartment. The adapter can be inserted into the module bay and interconnected with the computer. An AC connector can be stored in the adapter for carrying or extended for connection to an AC power source.

Abstract: A method of installing software on and/or testing software for build-to-order computer system includes reading a plurality of component descriptors from a computer readable file. Each component descriptor describes a respective component of the computer system. A plurality of steps are retrieved from a database, each step being associated with a respective sequence number. The plurality of steps are sequenced in a predetermined order according to the sequence numbers to provide a step sequence. The step sequence includes commands for installing and/or testing software upon the computer system. For each step read from the database, it is determined if that step is incompatible with the presence in the computer system of a component other than that corresponding to the component descriptor associated with the step. If so, the step is discarded or not according to data associated with that step in the database.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching a processor bracket to a system board. The apparatus includes: a) a driver base, b) a plurality of air drivers secured to the driver base, c) a screwdriver rod, with a screwdriver head, extending from each air driver, and d) a positioning guide attached to the driver base. The method includes the steps of: a) positioning a processor bracket, having a processor bracket slot and having multiple bracket nuts, on a system board, b) positioning a positioning guide of a multiple nut driver within the processor bracket slot, c) contacting the bracket nuts with the corresponding screwdriver heads of the multiple nut driver, and d) exerting downward pressure on all the screwdriver heads.

Abstract: A system for enabling remote console redirection on a computer system having a remote monitor connector circuit located on a different computer bus than a local monitor connector circuit. In one example, a remote monitor connector circuit located on a PCI computer bus generates system management interrupts (SMIs) via an interrupt controller to a system processor of a computer system such as a server. In response to a SMI, the system processor invokes an interrupt handler to determine the source of the interrupt. In response to determining that the SMI was generated by the remote monitor connector circuit, the system processor places the video data being provided to a local monitor connector circuit (such as a graphics accelerator conforming to the Accelerated Graphics Port interface standard) into a shared memory location accessible by both the system processor and the remote monitor connector circuit. The remote monitor connector circuit provides the video data to a remote monitor via e.g.

Abstract: This is a system and method for automatically identifying a customer when accessing an online service. The system and method includes: providing general HTML content with tokens for the computer system; providing system information specific to the computer system to a database accessible by the online service; and providing an identification program for the computer system to provide a system ID that uniquely identifies the system information. The system and method also includes loading HTML content on the computer system. The system ID can include a system express service code, a service tag number, or a unique ID from a microprocessor. The system and method also includes displaying computer-specific information on a web page of the online service.

Abstract: A method and computer system for a system setup program includes a routine for displaying a subset of bootable devices from an adapter card, such as a PERC card, on a system from which a user may specify a bootable device to serve as a boot drive, and bootable devices to serve as alternative boot drives. The computer system includes a system Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), a system processor, a system memory coupled to the system processor, at least one expansion slot coupled to the system processor via a bus, at least one adapter coupled to the computer system via the at least one expansion slot, and a system BIOS ROM code. The BIOS ROM code detects a plurality of bootable devices on the computer system, selects from the plurality of bootable devices a preselected number of bootable devices for display, and displays the subset of bootable devices on a setup display. The setup display allows a user to specify a bootable device to serve as a boot drive of the computer system.

Abstract: A cable management system (10) is disclosed for coupling and retaining cables (16) for rack-mounted electronic components. The cable management system (10) includes a cable arm (12) that can pivot between an extended position and a collapsed position to accommodate movement in the rack-mounted component. Coupled to the cable arm are cable retainers (14). Each cable retainer includes a platform (46) and prongs (42). Each prong includes a stem (48) and a tapered projection (54). The combination of the platform (46), and the stem (48) and tapered projection (54) of adjacent prongs (42) forms a cavity for receiving a cable (16). The cable arm includes a number of slots in the supports of the cable arm for receiving latches, locks, or other fasteners of the cable retainer (14) for coupling the cable retainer (14) to the cable arm (12).

Abstract: A method and system integrates personal computer components to in an efficient manner that accommodates footprint and EMI demands. A base structure supports a flat panel display and enhances the stability of the display by placing the personal computer on the base structure. A support housing provides an attachment point for the display and also forms a cable cavity to enhance cable management for cables that interface external components with the personal computer. The personal computer has an inner casing with a mother board segment coupled in a hinged manner to a housing segment. The inner casing opens along the hinge to allow access to internal personal computer components, and closes during operation of the personal computer to meet EMI specifications. An outer casing encases the inner casing to enhance integration of the personal computer with other system components, such as by having a shape that conforms to the shape of a recess formed in the base structure.

Abstract: An automated consolidation station for the assembly of computer systems includes a first conveyor and a second conveyor. A first code reader reads a label on a chassis on the first conveyor. A second code reader reads a label on a tote carrying computer components on the second conveyor. A first signal generated by the first reader is compared with a second signal generated from the second reader to determine if the signals are matched. A device receives an output when the signals are matched and another device senses the position of the tote and the chassis. The output energizes a system to position the chassis and the tote adjacent each other on a single one of the conveyors.