Abstract: An information handling system is provided with an intelligent boot service which addresses and resolves unbootable system scenarios. The intelligent boot service detects and corrects adverse events before booting into the operating system. The intelligent boot service architecture is extensible to add newer events and is extensible to include extensible firmware interface (EFI) technology.

Abstract: A method and system which enable preconfiguration of an information handling system to function as a media hub. In certain embodiments, during the preconfiguration a customer can select media services such as television services (e.g., Cable TV or Dish Network Service provider) and an information handling system manufacturer can then preconfigure the information handling system during a factory install process for the selected television provider. Additionally, the preconfiguration process can load media guides onto the preconfigured information handing systems during the factory install process. Additionally, in certain embodiments, if a remote control for a receiver is found, then the remote control settings can be preinstalled onto the information handling system. When a user receives the preconfigured information handling system, all that is necessary to setup the system is to couple an IR emitter to the receiver.

Abstract: A method and system which enable preconfiguration of an information handling system to function as a media hub. In certain embodiments, during the preconfiguration a customer can select media services such as television services (e.g., Cable TV or Dish Network Service provider) and an information handling system manufacturer can then preconfigure the information handling system during a factory install process for the selected television provider. Additionally, the preconfiguration process can load media guides onto the preconfigured information handing systems during the factory install process. Additionally, in certain embodiments, if a remote control for a receiver is found, then the remote control settings can be preinstalled onto the information handling system. When a user receives the preconfigured information handling system, all that is necessary to setup the system is to couple an IR emitter to the receiver.

Abstract: An information handling system is provided with an intelligent boot service which addresses and resolves unbootable system scenarios. The intelligent boot service detects and corrects adverse events before booting into the operating system. The intelligent boot service architecture is extensible to add newer events and is extensible to include extensible firmware interface (EFI) technology.

Abstract: A method for automatically generating a software stack in an information handling system. The information handling system includes a software process partition. The method includes generating a manifest identifying software stack contents, creating a target partition within the information handling system, installing the specified software stack components into the target partition, configuring the target partition as active and bootable and the software process partition as hidden, booting into the target partition, setting up and configuring the software components within the target partition, and configuring the software process partition as active and bootable and the target partition as inactive. The generated software stack optionally may be captured for later use.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing information handling systems analyzes orders for information handling system configurations to select one or more configurations for imaging. For instance, frequently ordered configurations or configurations that are time consuming to manufacture are selected for imaging. When an information handling system having a selected configuration is manufactured, an image of the manufactured information handling system is saved in an image cache. Subsequent information handling systems having the selected configuration are manufactured by copying the saved image to the information handling system, thus reducing the time for loading software onto the information handling system.

Abstract: A method that includes receiving a storage device that includes an image is provided. The image is loaded onto the storage device by a vendor of the storage device and includes a first program and a second program. The second program is removed from the image on the storage device in response to comparing an order list to an image list. The first program is integrated into an operating system on the storage device.

Abstract: A method for automatically generating a software stack in an information handling system. The information handling system includes a software process partition. The method includes generating a manifest identifying software stack contents, creating a target partition within the information handling system, installing the specified software stack components into the target partition, configuring the target partition as active and bootable and the software process partition as hidden, booting into the target partition, setting up and configuring the software components within the target partition, and configuring the software process partition as active and bootable and the target partition as inactive. The generated software stack optionally may be captured for later use.

Abstract: A method for managing a batched command file. The method includes providing a batched command file to a wrapper application, providing an initialization file to the wrapper application and executing the batched command file with the wrapper application using the rules base provided by the initialization file. The initialization file includes a rules base for commands within the batched command file.

Abstract: A method of operating a cache memory within an information handling system comprises the steps of defining a list of files to be requested from a storage system; searching the locations of each files within the storage system and determining the modification date/time of each file; searching the locations of each file within a cache memory and determining the modification date/time of each file; and determining whether the cache needs to be updated.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing information handling systems analyzes orders for information handling system configurations to select one or more configurations for imaging. For instance, frequently ordered configurations or configurations that are time consuming to manufacture are selected for imaging. When an information handling system having a selected configuration is manufactured, an image of the manufactured information handling system is saved in an image cache. Subsequent information handling systems having the selected configuration are manufactured by copying the saved image to the information handling system, thus reducing the time for loading software onto the information handling system.

Abstract: A computer system manufacturing process is disclosed in which a customer may order a computer system having one of several defined or base configurations of hardware and software components. After specifying the base configuration of hardware and software components, the user may identify custom hardware or software components to be added to the system. During the manufacturing process, the computer system accesses a network for retrieving a data record of the customer order and downloading the software of the computer system. The software to be downloaded will include the software of the base configuration and any custom software. Following the installation of the custom hardware and software components, the computer system will be tested to evaluate the function of the system components and the integration of the custom components and the components of the base configuration.

Abstract: A system and method for installing and/or testing software for a build-to-order computer system having a plurality of components includes a plurality of elements. The computer system has an associated step sequence. The step sequence includes a plurality of steps where each step includes at least one command and a step is associated with a respective software component descriptor. The at least one command can be in more than one computer software language. A software component descriptor corresponds to installing a respective software component on the computer system. The method includes accessing the at least one command within the step sequence; determining a corresponding computer software language associated with the at least one command; executing the at least one command in the corresponding computer software language to install the respective software component; and repeating the accessing, determining and executing for the plurality of steps.

Abstract: A build-to-order manufacturing method for producing a custom configured computer system includes obtaining a customer order. Hardware for the custom configured computer system is assembled in accordance with the customer order. The assembled hardware is then tested using software tools and utilities. Next, software is downloaded to the computer system in accordance with the customer order, the software including an operating system (OS). Lastly, a fully integrated system test is performed, the fully integrated system test including the execution of an OS setup for fully integrating the hardware and software of the custom configured computer system and testing of the fully integrated hardware and software from the OS' perspective prior to shipment to a customer.

Abstract: A system and method for installing and/or testing software for a build-to-order computer system having a plurality of components includes a plurality of elements. The computer system has an associated step sequence. The step sequence includes a plurality of steps where each step includes at least one command and a step is associated with a respective software component descriptor. The at least one command can be in more than one computer software language. A software component descriptor corresponds to installing a respective software component on the computer system. The method includes accessing the at least one command within the step sequence; determining a corresponding computer software language associated with the at least one command; executing the at least one command in the corresponding computer software language to install the respective software component; and repeating the accessing, determining and executing for the plurality of steps.

Abstract: A computer system includes a processor; a hard drive connected to the processor and having an image applied thereto, the image including device drivers and executable applications; an installation file stored on the hard drive and executable by the processor, the installation file including a first instruction associated with a first executable application; and a data file stored on the hard drive; wherein upon execution of the first instruction by the processor, a determination is made whether the data file includes a valid section corresponding to the first executable application and including a list of hardware devices that are compatible with the first executable application.