Abstract: A remote install assistant application is provided on a host device which leads the user through a series of steps for starting up a target device, and remotely installing an operating system or application from the host device onto the target device over a wireless or wired network. The assistant application, which the user can launch on the host device, can include a network installation server which makes a disc inserted in a drive of the host device available as a startup disk on the network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing queues without disabling interrupts or using locks are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a queue structure, which is accessible to a plurality of threads, that is suitable for use in a computer system includes a head node and a first data-containing node. The head node includes a head field and a disruption field that is arranged to indicate a number of times the queue structure is accessed. The first data-containing node, which is identified by the head field in the head node, includes a link field and a data field. In one embodiment, the head node also includes a rank field, which is arranged to identify a preference level associated with the plurality of threads. In such an embodiment, the head field may be the first field in the head node, the rank field may be the second field in the head node, and the disruption field may be the third field in the head node.