Abstract: A persistent snapshot is taken and maintained in accordance with a novel method and system for extended periods of time using only a portion of a computer readable medium of which the snapshot is taken. Multiple snapshots can be taken in succession at periodic intervals and maintained practically indefinitely. The snapshots are maintained even after powering down and rebooting of the computer system. The state of the object of the snapshot for each snapshot preferably is accessible via a folder on volume of the snapshot. A restore of a file or folder may be accomplished by merely copying that file or folder from the snapshot folder to a current directory of the volume. Alternatively, the entire computer system may be restored to a previous snapshot state thereof. Snapshots that occurred after the state to which the computer is restored are not lost in the restore operation. Different rule sets and scenarios can be applied to each snapshot.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by removing from a computer configuration a removable storage medium (i) after a check for the presence of the removable storage medium within the computer configuration is performed and (ii) before a check for the continued presence of the removable storage medium within the computer configuration is performed. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by replacing within a computer configuration a first removable storage medium with a second removable storage medium. The first removable storage medium is replaced with the second removable storage medium after a program on the first removable storage medium has been read by the computer. The program includes computer-executable instructions for determining the presence or absence within the computer configuration of the second removable storage medium in place of the first removable storage medium. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by replacing within a computer configuration a first removable storage medium with a second removable storage medium. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by removing from a computer configuration a removable storage medium (i) after a program on the removable storage medium has been read and (ii) before a check for the continued presence of the removable storage medium within the computer configuration is performed in accordance with the program. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by changing, within the computer configuration, the state of the combined presence of a first removable storage medium and a second removable storage medium. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by removing from a computer configuration a removable storage medium (i) after a check for the presence of the removable storage medium within the computer configuration is performed and (ii) before a check for the continued presence of the removable storage medium within the computer configuration is performed. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by replacing within a computer configuration a first removable storage medium with a second removable storage medium including thereon a second program. The first removable storage medium is replaced after a first program thereon has been read. The first program includes computer-executable instructions resulting in the reading and running of the second program, and the second program includes computer-executable instructions resulting in the initiating of the operation on the computer. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Abstract: A user's intention to perform an operation is confirmed by determining within a computer configuration a change in state of a write protection status. The change in state of the write protection status may be either from enabled to disabled, or from disabled to enabled. Determining the change in state of the status includes initially checking the state of the write protection status; subsequently checking the state of the write protection status; and comparing the state determined in the initial check with the state determined in the subsequent check. A predetermined period between the initial check and the subsequent check is provided, and the subsequent check is repeated until a change in the status is determined, or until either a predetermined number of subsequent checks has occurred and/or a predetermined time period has expired. The method can be used in backing up and restoring data of a headless server.

Abstract: Hardware having selected storage characteristics is emulated within a computer configuration by, (a) representing to an operating system of the computer configuration the presence of the hardware having the selected storage characteristics and addresses for reading data therefrom and writing data thereto, (b) writing data to an address of the hardware by (i) writing the data to an address of a data store with which the hardware address is associated, or (ii) writing the data to an address of the data store with which no hardware address is associated, and associating the hardware address with that data store address, and (c) reading data from a hardware address by (i) reading the data from a data store address with which the hardware address has been associated in the writing step, or (ii) returning data that has not been written to the hardware in the writing step.