Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods provide for the protection of protected memory, for example, a hard disk, in a computer system. The systems and methods are configured to re-direct read and write access commands from locations in the protected memory to alternative storage locations. The systems and methods provide the ability for the user to accept or reject any BIOS changes that are to be made to the computing system. In addition, the systems and methods protect against operating system crash due to missing or corrupted files. The systems and methods are additionally operable to recover mistakenly deleted or damaged application data from a hard disk level, as well as to protect the operating system and data of the computing system against virus penetration. In other embodiments, the systems and methods are operable to provide for a security lock to the computing system and its associated data.

Abstract: An operating system and protection system. The invention protects a latest base system setting of the operating system of a computing system in which the invention is performed. The invention employs a virtual device driver (VXD) that is substantially transparent to the operating system. The invention is, in certain embodiments of the invention, an on-board system that is a disaster recovery utility. Many different types of disasters can result in a hard disk crash of the computing system. Examples of such hard disk crashes include those that are caused by an error performed by a user of the computing system. Such user-induced-errors often result during reconfiguration of various portions of the computing system including configuring various peripheral devices including fax/modems, network cards, etc. The invention provides the ability for the user to accept or reject any BIOS changes that are to be made to the computing system.