Abstract: A method and apparatus enables a computer system to recover from power failures, and includes a computer system having a UPS connected to a computer, the computer having an RTC, a driver, and a program stored in the computer's memory. The program has instructions for performing the following steps: a) when a source of AC power fails, the UPS supplying AC power to the computer; b) the UPS notifying the computer to shut down; and c) just before the computer shuts down, the driver setting the RTC for a wake-up time at a prescribed time in the future.

Abstract: A communications system for multiple computer system management circuits to enable remote management of the computer systems via a remote management system. The management circuits are operably coupled to a remote connector circuit via a communications bus (e.g. a bus conforming to the RS-485 communications standard). The remote connector circuit can be implemented on a daughter card of one of the computer systems. The remote connector circuit includes modem circuitry for providing operating information on operating conditions of the computer systems to a remote management system and for receiving operating commands to be provided to the management circuits wherein the computer systems initiate operations (e.g. rebooting and power cycle) in response to receiving the commands. The RS-485 bus is configured in a daisy chain configuration to allow for a simplified addition of new computer systems to the bus.

Abstract: A storage device includes at least one computer readable medium and an interface for use in coupling the storage device to a host. The interface is further for routing information to and from the at least one computer readable medium. At least one buffer is located in a reserved area of the at least one computer readable medium. Lastly, a controller is provided for logging characteristic operational information of the storage device in the at least one buffer upon an occurrence of an event initiated by the host. The characteristic operational information includes at least a power on hours (POHs) and a corresponding time stamp benchmark information.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically selecting one of two or more available power supply voltages for use as a main power supply of a PCI adapter is described. In one embodiment, a power supply selector is designed such that the presence of a positive voltage at a Vaux input thereof prevents power at a Vcc input thereof from driving a main power supply input to a PCI adapter. Conversely, the absence of a positive voltage at the Vaux results in the main power supply input to the PCI adapter being derived from the Vcc input. In an alternative embodiment, jumpers are provided for enabling a user to select which power supply will be used as the “default” power supply for the adapter.

Abstract: A computer systems implemented with I2O devices having no Option ROM associated therewith needs to boot an OS from such an I2O device without restricting the arrangement of the system BIOS boot sequence. A Virtual Option ROM is integrated into the system BIOS boot sequence code so that the BIOS can detect an I2O device, and then get instructions from the Virtual Option ROM to initialize an I2O Platform of an I2O subsystem, wherein the I2O device resides. Once the communication between the I2O subsystem and the BIOS is subsequently achieved, the OS can be booted from the I2O device. Further, by implementing the Virtual ROM, an I2O device having no real Option ROM attached thereto can also be identified and used as a system boot device in a selective boot process. The initialization process of an IOP is skipped if a non-I2O bootable device has been found before the detection of an I2O device during the Power On Self Test.

Abstract: System and method for testing the error detection and correction (“ECC”) capabilities of an ECC memory controller are disclosed. The system uses the natural state of the bus to induce one- or two-bit memory errors by disabling the ECC capabilities of the controller and then writing a test data pattern that is one or two bits different than a data pattern that would result in an ECC code equal to the natural state of the bus and an ECC code equal to the natural state of the bus to a selected memory location. At that point, the ECC capabilities of the memory controller are reenabled and the memory location to which the test data pattern was previously written is read and its ECC code generated. A determination is then made whether the memory controller detected and/or corrected the induced error.

Abstract: A computer touchpad includes a first portion usable for button functions to select items on a computer display panel. A second portion of the touchpad is usable for cursor movement and placement functions. An overlay member is detachably mounted on the touchpad. The overlay member includes a first part and a second part. The first part of the overlay member includes several defined sections and the second part of the overlay member includes a single defined section. The first part of the overlay member mounts on the first portion of the touchpad and the second part of the overlay member mounts on the second portion of the touchpad.

Abstract: BIOS boot initialization progress is recorded and, when BIOS boot initialization code fails, the failed boot initialization code is corrected by the BIOS. Intelligence is added to the BIOS which allows failed boot initialization code to be corrected by the BIOS transparently to the user. When the BIOS cannot correct the failed boot initialization code, however, other action is taken which allows the BIOS to continue to boot or to successfully reboot.

Abstract: An apparatus for deterring theft of an electronic device, includes a lock having a housing and a retention member movably mounted in the housing for being moved between a locked position and an unlocked position. An elongated retaining member has a first end connected to the lock, and a second end connected to an anchoring member. A plurality of contacts are attached to the lock. A first one of the contacts is electrically isolated from a second one of the contacts. A continuity detection element is attached to the retaining member for detecting a discontinuity between the first and the second ends of the retaining member. The continuity detection element is electrically connected to the first and the second contacts.

Abstract: A portable computer is provided with a combination trackball/mouse pointing device for controlling cursor movement on the computer screen. In one positional mode thereof, the device is removably inserted into a recess in the computer base housing and serves as an integrated trackball. In another positional mode thereof, the device is removed from the housing recess, vertically inverted, and rolled along a support surface adjacent the computer to serve as a mouse for screen cursor control purposes. Both the trackball and mouse functions of the device are carried out via the rotation of a ball carried by an outer housing portion of the device. In an alternate embodiment of the device, which does not require the vertical inversion of the device to switch between its mouse and trackball functions, the trackball function of the device is provided by a conventional touch pad structure exteriorly secured to the device housing on a side thereof opposite the exposed portion of the mouse ball.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for conveniently diagnosing and conveying to a user the cause of a catastrophic failure during POST of a non-booting PC is described. In one embodiment, when an ID code identifying a POST procedure is written to port 80h, the ID code is also written to a POST code field in a non-volatile memory device. If the PC “hangs” prior to completion of POST, there will be a non-zero byte in the POST code field identifying which POST procedure resulted in the hang. Accordingly, if during boot-up of the PC, a non-zero byte is detected in the POST code field, the ID code will be beeped to the user to identify the POST procedure that caused the PC to hang. If POST completes successfully, the POST code field is set to zero and POST continues through the normal sequence.

Abstract: A method for automated installation of software packages in a computer system includes loading an operating system onto the computer system. The operating system is provided with a hook for initiating a windows-based install of prescribed software packages during an operating system setup (OS setup). At least one prescribed software package and a corresponding windows-based software package installer are loaded onto the computer system. The operating system setup is then executed. Lastly, the windows-based install of the at least one prescribed software package is initiated in response to the hook, the windows-based install being carried out according to the corresponding software package installer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ensuring that file updates scheduled in a Wininit.ini file are applied with regard to previously existing versions and multiple instances of such updates are described. In one aspect, a computer program is installed on a computer system and executed after all file update entries have been made to a Wininit.ini file, but before the computer system is rebooted. If duplicate entries exist in the Wininit.ini file for a single destination file, the computer program determines which entry contains the newest source file based first on the version of the source file, if any, and then on the date/time stamp for the source file. The Wininit.ini entries referring to older source files, as well as the files themselves, are then marked for deletion and/or deleted before the computer system is rebooted.

Abstract: A method and system for adaptive component placement are disclosed. The method comprises generating a configuration. The configuration comprises a placement of components within a rack. The method further comprises computing a center of gravity of the configuration. The method also comprises determining if the center of gravity exceeds a maximum center of gravity.

Abstract: A filter circuit for filtering bus accesses from a computer bus (such as e.g. a bus conforming to the PCI standard) to a group of devices operably coupled to the computer bus in a computer system. The filter circuit operates in a filter mode and a non filter mode. In the non filter mode, the filter circuit allows bus accesses to pass from the computer bus to the group. In the filter mode, the filter circuit blocks bus accesses from passing to the group. Upon determining that a bus access is an allowable bus access, the filter circuit initiates a retry request to signal the bus master that initiated the allowable bus access to reinitiate the bus access, wherein the filter circuit allows the allowable bus access to pass to the group. The filter circuit includes a switch circuit and a control circuit that places the switch circuit in the conductive and non conductive switch states to allow bus accesses to pass and to be blocked from passing to the group, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a panel to a chassis of a computer. The apparatus includes a release member movably mounted on a top surface of the chassis and a flange fixedly mounted to a base portion of the chassis. The release member is movable between a static position and a release position. A panel is pivotally attached adjacent to a base portion of the chassis. The panel is movable between a closed position and an open position. A resilient retention member is attached to the panel. The retention member is engaged with the flange when the panel is in the closed position. The release member resiliently deflects the retention member from engagement with the flange when the release member is moved from the static position toward the release position to allow the panel to be moved from the closed position to the open position. The panel can be accurately and consistently aligned and attached to the chassis of the computer system after each removal.

Abstract: A computer system includes a processor, at least one computer-readable media drive, and manufacturing process code. The manufacturing process code includes executable instructions for causing the processor to determine a drive letter designation of the at least one computer-readable media drive. The computer system further includes an operating system and a system descriptor record, wherein the operating system includes a desktop suitable for implementation of shortcuts and menu selections to computer-readable media drive based software applications. The drive letter designation of the computer-readable media drive is further a function of the operating system and the system descriptor record.

Abstract: In a computer system, an apparatus including a power supply system having a voltage regulator and a power supply for supplying an unregulated voltage to the voltage regulator. A memory connector is mounted on the motherboard. The memory connectors is configured to receive a memory module. A memory controller is mounted on the motherboard. A riser card having an edge portion configured to be received by the memory module is removably inserted into the memory connector. A riser card interface is coupled from the riser card to the power supply system and memory switch for enabling an interface-dependent voltage to be established by the voltage regulator and supplied to the memory controller. The interface-dependent voltage is supplied to the riser card through the memory connector and is maintained at a level whereby the memory connector is subjected to an electrical current less than a maximum prescribed current. A voltage modifying device is mounted on the riser card.

Abstract: A method and system of continuous diagnosis and maintenance of a personal computer for a computer having a screen saver program and a list of diagnosis/maintenance activities stored in its memory. The method includes the steps of a) activating a diagnosis/maintenance program if the computer has been idle for a determined period of time, b) beginning diagnosis testing and maintenance, c) if the screen saver deactivates, and if the diagnosis/maintenance activity step is not critical, then ceasing diagnosis testing and maintenance, and d) if the diagnosis/maintenance activity step is critical, then finishing the diagnosis/maintenance activity step, and logging the results.

Abstract: A computer system including an enclosure having a face with an opening formed therein. A door is pivotally mounted on the enclosure adjacent to the opening for being moved between an open position and a closed position with respect to the opening. A removable heat generating component is mounted in the enclosure adjacent to the opening and a heat extraction member is attached to the door. A remote heat dissipating body is mounted in the enclosure. A heat routing member is attached at a first end to the heat extraction member and at a second end to the heat dissipating body. The heat extraction member engages a surface of the heat generating device when the door is in the closed position. The removable heat generating component can be cooled using the heat routing member and the remotely located heat dissipating body while still permitting the heat generating component to be readily accessed through the opening in the enclosure.