Abstract: A system for use in testing and/or installing software onto a personal computer system unit includes a pallet for supporting the system unit and a rack having at least one docking station for removably accommodating the pallet. The pallet has data and power sockets for the system unit and a set of data and power contacts each connected to a respective contact in one of the data and power connectors. The docking station has a complementary set of data and power contacts adapted for one-to-one engagement with the set of data and power contacts of the pallet when the pallet is located in the docking station.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for selectively overriding a prepackaged power management driver of a portable personal computer so that data transmitted to the CPIU of the computer by a device, such as a “real time” serial communicators device connected thereto, is not lost during the CPUs latency “wake up” period following a CPU power-down operation. An override system stored in memory comprises an override flag which may be set or cleared by a user or the computer. If the override flag is set, then the power management system is prevented from reducing power to the CPU so that the occurrence of a CPU latency period and thus potential for loss of data is avoided.

Abstract: A releasable latching apparatus and method of operation for securing a component of a computer system to a computer housing. The latching apparatus includes a casing and a shaft integrated with the casing such that the shaft is operable to move relative to the casing. Incorporated into the latching apparatus is a collet that extends along the shaft. The collet includes a locking portion, which can releasably secure a computer component to a housing by extending away from the shaft and capturing an element of the computer housing.

Abstract: A method of installing software on and/or testing a computer system includes providing a step sequence having a plurality of software installation and/or testing steps to be executed in an order determined by the step sequence, and reading and executing consecutive steps from the step sequence. The method further includes updating, in respect of each step which is executed, a file with data relating to the current status of the installation and/or testing, and, prior to the execution of each step, determining from the file if that step is properly the next consecutive step in the step sequence.

Abstract: A variable area heat sink has a first heat sink area and a second heat sink area. A bridge is connected to the first heat sink area and includes a bi-metallic portion operable to connect and disconnect with the second heat sink area in response to a temperature change in the bridge which is sufficient to distort the bi-metallic portion from a first shape to a second shape. The first heat sink area may be installed in a computer chassis adjacent a first heat producing component. The second heat sink area may be installed in the chassis adjacent a second heat producing component. The combination of heat sink areas may be enlarged or reduced in size due to the coupling or uncoupling.

Abstract: A method of installing software on and/or testing a computer system includes reading a plurality of component descriptors from a computer readable file, each component descriptor describing a respective component of the computer system, reading a plurality of steps from a database, each step being associated with a component descriptor and including a respective sequence number, and sequencing the plurality of steps in a predetermined order according to the sequence numbers to provide a step sequence including commands for installing software on and/or testing the computer system. The method further includes determining for each step read from the database, from data associated with that step in the database, 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, and if so, discarding or not discarding the step according to further data associated with that step in the database.

Abstract: A computer system includes a computer-readable medium. First and second partitions are formed within the computer-readable medium. The second partition is within the first partition. A computer program is processable by the computer system for causing the computer system to form the first and second partitions. The computer program is accessible by apparatus in the computer system.

Abstract: A multiple fan system including at least two simultaneously operated fans. Each of the fans are operable as a constant speed fan and as an oscillating speed fan. Not more than one of the fans is operated as a constant speed fan. Each fan not being operated as a constant speed fan is operated as an oscillating speed fan. A fan controller operates each oscillating speed fan in a mode whereby a respective acoustic emission having a range of frequency different than any other oscillating speed fans is produced.

Abstract: A computer and a method of EMI containment in a computer chassis having peripheral bays formed in its chassis, and at least two openings formed in a wall of the chassis for providing access to the at least two bays, respectively. Covers are provided for the openings and each cover overlaps its respective opening and one of the covers overlaps the other cover. The covers are interlocked with tabs formed on one of the covers which engage recessed portions formed in the other cover.

Abstract: A peripheral device mounting system including a peripheral device having a pattern of threaded holes formed therein, a chassis configured to receive the peripheral device, a mounting bracket and a member for engaging an adjacent edge of a computer system chassis to secure the peripheral device relative to the chassis. The mounting bracket includes a main wall, spaced apart walls, and a protruding member attached to one of the spaced apart walls. The protruding member is configured engagement member.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a system component in a computer chassis. The chassis has a plurality of walls and an opening is formed in one of the walls. A pair of mounting flanges is connected in the chassis adjacent the opening. A first resilient cantilever beam is provided on each flange. A bracket is mounted in the opening and includes a pair of arms. The bracket is movable between open and closed positions. A second resilient cantilever beam is mounted on each arm and is engaged with each flange. A system component is mounted in the bracket.

Abstract: A multiple fan system including at least two simultaneously operated fans. Each of the fans are operable as a constant speed fan and as an oscillating speed fan. Not more than one of the fans is operated as a constant speed fan. Each fan not being operated as a constant speed fan is operated as an oscillating speed fan. A fan controller operates each oscillating speed fan in a mode whereby a respective acoustic emission having a range of frequency different than any other oscillating speed fans is produced.

Abstract: An apparatus including a main chassis and a system component chassis removably mounted in the main chassis through an opening in a top portion thereof. A positioning member is attached to the system component chassis. A handle is pivotally attached adjacent to an end wall of the main chassis for being moved between a first position and a second position. The handle includes a portion engaged by the positioning member to position the system component chassis in a docking position with respect to the main chassis when the system component chassis is mounted in the main chassis with the handle in the first position. An insertion member is attached to the handle for engaging a portion of the power supply chassis for movement thereof from the docking position to a docked position when the handle is moved from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a media module having a support surface. A drive base is movable relative to the support surface. A spindle includes an automatically actuatable clamp device mounted on the drive base. A triggering device is mounted in the spindle and includes a reciprocating member and a rotating cam member, so that movement of the drive base adjacent the support surface moves the reciprocating member to rotate the cam member and actuate the clamp device.

Abstract: A system and method for handling system management interrupts in a multi-processor computer is disclosed. When the computer enters system management mode, the method uses the registers of each processor to get currently executing opcode to determine what each processor was doing before the interrupt. The method may have to first translate address information to locate the actual physical location of the currently executing opcode. The registers are stored in memory and the contents of the registers can be used to determine if the current processor caused the system management interrupt. If so, then the method now knows which processor caused the interrupt and can handle the interrupt accordingly. If, however, the processor was not the one that caused the interrupt, or if another processor also caused an interrupt, the method then repeats the above steps for the next processor of the multiprocessor system.

Abstract: A comparison circuit for comparing the desired voltage levels of electronic components and for disabling the supply of power to those components if the desired voltage levels are not equivalent. The comparison circuit receives the desired voltage level indication signals and provides a signal indicating whether the desired voltage levels are equivalent. If the desired voltage levels are not equivalent, the comparison circuit provides a signal indicating non equivalency to a power supply, wherein the power supply is disabled from supplying power so as not to damage the computer components from receiving power at a non allowable voltage level. The comparison circuit also provides an output signal indicative of an equivalent voltage level to the desired voltage levels if the desired voltage levels are equivalent. A power supply converter supplies power to the components at a voltage level as indicated by the output signal.

Abstract: A peripheral device mounting apparatus including a peripheral device bay with carrier guides located to accommodate at least two different types of peripheral devices, and a keying mechanism allowing carrier insertion only into certain carrier guides, advantageously provides optimal use of the device bay space for a particular type of peripheral device. Additionally, the keying mechanism prevents installation of a peripheral device into the bay in a location that wastes bay space.

Abstract: A method and system to enable extended testing of computer system drives that allows concurrent processing of input/output requests directed at the physical drive being tested, the computer system having a plurality of drives, a drive testing program stored in the computer's memory, and a drive exchange program stored in the computer's memory. The drive exchange program includes the steps of a) copying information and writes from a drive to be tested to a spare drive, b) logically replacing the drive to be tested with the spare drive, c) interfacing with the drive testing program, and d) allowing the drive testing program to test the drive to be tested.

Abstract: A multimedia computer keyboard is provided having one or more high fidelity, diaphragm-type speakers mounted within the keyboard. Mono or stereophonic wiring to each speaker is achieved using existing keyboard cable extending from the keyboard to a keyboard connector arranged upon a host computer. A terminal at the end of the keyboard cable can plug directly into the keyboard connector, such that the terminal can receive an audio output signal generated from a sound card placed within the computer. Accordingly, audio output can be sent to the computer keyboard as an integrated system in order to achieve multimedia function.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transitioning an electronic device operable in a reduced power consumption mode from the reduced power consumption mode to a full power mode immediately before a user attempts to operate the device is disclosed. A hand held intelligent data entry unit (IDEU) of the present invention is provided with a noncontact sensor for detecting the prepense of a user's hand within an predefined actuation region of the IDEU while the IDEU is operating in a low power consumption mode. Responsive such detection, the sensor generates a wake up signal to a microprocessor of the IDEU for causing the IDEU to transition from the low power consumption mode to a full power mode.