Abstract: Personal video recording including identifying a message point in operation of a PVR and transmitting a message. Embodiments include associating a message type with the message point and selecting, in dependence upon the message type, a message to be transmitted. Embodiments include receiving a response to the message; selecting, in dependence upon the response, a command to be executed; and executing the selected command.

Abstract: Personal video recording including identifying a message point in operation of a PVR and transmitting a message. Embodiments include associating a message type with the message point and selecting, in dependence upon the message type, a message to be transmitted. Embodiments include receiving a response to the message; selecting, in dependence upon the response, a command to be executed; and executing the selected command.

Abstract: Automated personal video recording for multi-user personal video recorders having a multiplicity of registered users, each user having allocated storage space on the PVR which allocated storage space for each user includes storage space upon which shows are recorded and storage space upon which shows have not been recorded (free space), including recording for a borrower a show owned by the borrower, the show having a storage space requirement exceeding the borrower's free space by a deficit amount; selecting, in dependence upon the deficit amount, one or more lenders, wherein the lenders are users, registered on the PVR, having free space; and borrowing, in dependence upon the deficit amount, from the lenders for the borrower, at least one loan amount of storage space. Embodiments include returning from the borrower to the lender the deficit amount after displaying the show to the borrower or upon repossession by a lender.

Abstract: A personal computer system is disclosed which is compatible with application programs and operating system software. The personal computer system includes a microprocessor electrically coupled to a data bus, non-volatile memory electrically coupled to the data bus, volatile memory electrically responsive to the data bus, a memory controller electrically coupled to the microprocessor, the volatile memory and the non-volatile memory, and a direct access storage device electrically responsive to the data bus. The non-volatile memory stores a first portion of operating system microcode and the volatile memory includes a volatile operating system portion intended for use by the first portion of the operating system microcode. The memory controller regulates communications between the volatile memory, the non-volatile memory and the high speed microprocessor. The direct access storage device stores a second portion of operating system microcode which includes a plurality of modules.