Abstract: A system and method are presented for restricting a compact disk containing boot software to work only on computer systems for which the boot software has been authorized to operate. The disclosure allows the boot software to run on a particular computer system only if predetermined computer identification criteria are met. An advantage is that, by replacing the boot software stored on the computer system hardware, it provides the flexibility to produce new boot software when required by the introduction of a revised or new operating system. Another advantage is that the verification software's identification criteria can be tailored to the needs of the hardware and software vendors over the product life of the computer system hardware without requiring changes to the identification data stored in the computer system hardware.

Abstract: A personal computer is BIOS configured to boot from an installed CD-ROM storing multiple operating systems in different partitions of the medium. The computer is initially booted from a user selected or default partition emulating a logical drive. With the original boot partition maintained active, emulation of additional partitions as other drives is performed when needed. This is accomplished in BIOS with multiple device tables, each dynamically associated with a logical drive letter. Hence, the system files found in only the original boot partition remain available to the system when other logical drives are called.

Abstract: In a computer operating a bootable CD-ROM or other bootable media having the capability of emulating one or more real drives, BIOS emulation parameters, such as drive number, memory partitioning and mapping are moved from BIOS and stored in a protected region of main memory. Upon a change of media, e.g., hard file, diskette, etc., as the computer undergoes a warm boot with new BIOS emulation parameters to enable DOS to process the change, the protected region of memory is not cleared. This preserves the BIOS emulation parameters which are restored to BIOS for the remainder of the boot sequence.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a housing, a reservoir comprising a solid material mounted within the housing, temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the reservoir, and energy exchange means for allowing thermal contact between the reservoir and a substance for effectuating transfer of energy from the reservoir to the substance for regulating the temperature of the substance.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing aerosol from a substance includes a heat exchanger for receiving and cooling a substance. The heat exchanger includes a housing; a cryogenic reservoir comprising a solid material mounted within the housing; temperature control means for controllably cooling the reservoir; and energy exchange means for allowing thermal contact between the reservoir and the substance for effectuating transfer of cooling energy from the cryogenic reservoir to the substance for controllably cooling the substance. A delivery line has an inlet for receiving the substance from the heat exchanger at a first pressure. A nozzle is connected to the delivery line for receiving the substance from the delivery line. The nozzle has at least one exit opening which allows passing of the substance therethrough for expanding the substance from the first pressure to a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure for solidifying the substance and producing aerosol.