Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer usable program code for updating a duplicate copy of an active operating system. A set of logical volumes for an active operating system currently running on a data processing system is identified. The set of logical volumes is duplicated while the active operating system is running to form a duplicate copy of the active operating system. The duplicate copy of the active operating system is located on the same disk as the active operating system. This duplicate copy of the active operating system is updated while the active operating system is running to form an updated copy of the active operating system.

Abstract: Method, system and computer program product for modifying installation software in a data processing system. Installation software is stored on a rewritable data storage medium using a file system that allows portions of software stored on the rewritable data storage medium to be modified without modifying other portions of the software stored on the rewritable data storage medium. At least one portion of the stored installation software is modified to provide modified installation software on the rewritable data storage medium. The invention enables modifications to installation software to be selectively placed on the same data storage medium that stores the installation software.