Abstract: Data-integrity protection of a cached storage device is provided in an alternate operating system (OS) environment by replacing an actual partition table for a disk with a dummy partition table and scrambling a predetermined amount of data on the cached storage device. The dummy partition table is designed to render data on the disk inaccessible when the dummy partition table is used by an OS to access the data. During operation, the data on the disk can be accessed using information based on the actual partition table. In response to receiving a request to disable caching, the dummy partition table on the disk is replaced with the actual partition table and any scrambled data is unscrambled, thus rendering the data on the formally cached disk accessible in an alternate OS environment where appropriate caching software is not present.

Abstract: An invention is provided for recovering from an unexpected shutdown in a write-back caching environment. The invention includes storing a logical block address (LBA) mapping table on a caching device. The LBA mapping table maps logical block addresses of a target storage device to logical block addresses of the caching device. In addition, a LBA mapping table change log is maintained on the caching device. The LBA mapping table change log includes changes to the LBA mapping table since the LBA mapping table was last written to the caching device. During startup after an unexpected shutdown, the unexpected shutdown is detected using a header stored on a caching device. Among other data, the header includes an indicia indicating whether or not a clean shutdown occurred. When the unexpected shutdown is detected, a recovered LBA mapping table is generated based on the LBA mapping table, which is stored on the caching device, and the LBA mapping table change log.

Abstract: An invention is provided for protecting the data integrity of a cached storage device in an alternate operating system (OS) environment. The invention includes replacing an actual partition table for a disk with a dummy partition table. The dummy partition table is designed to render data on the disk inaccessible when the dummy partition table is used by an OS to access the data. During operation, the data on the disk can be accessed using information based on the actual partition table. In response to receiving a request to disable caching, the dummy partition table on the disk is replaced with the actual partition table, thus rendering the data on the formally cached disk accessible in an alternate OS environment where appropriate caching software is not present.

Abstract: An invention is provided for loading an Option-ROM BIOS into memory without the need of an associated hardware device, such as a PCI card. The invention includes loading code from a boot sector of a designated boot device into memory, wherein the code includes Option-ROM location data denoting a location of an Option-ROM BIOS. The Option-ROM BIOS then is loaded into memory utilizing the Option-ROM location data. As above, the Option-ROM BIOS includes MBR location data denoting a location of the MBR associated with the OS. Thus, the MBR can be loaded into memory utilizing the MBR location data in the Option-ROM BIOS and control can be transferred to the MBR. Thereafter, the OS system files are loaded into memory utilizing the MBR.