Abstract: Examples of an apparatus, method, and instructions included on a machine-readable non-transitory storage medium are disclosed herein. In an example of the method, a first state is provided to enable a camera to record an image, a second state is provided to disable the camera, and a third state is provided to permit the camera to be enabled and disabled. Also in this example of the method, a button is actuated in the third state to an on position to enable the camera to record an image or an off position to disable the camera. Additionally in this example of the method, a signal is generated via an input device in the on position of the button to enable the camera to record an image or disable the camera.

Abstract: Examples of an apparatus, method, and instructions included on a machine-readable non-transitory storage medium are disclosed herein. In an example of the method, a first state is provided to enable a camera to record an image, a second state is provided to disable the camera, and a third state is provided to permit the camera to be enabled and disabled. Also in this example of the method, a button is actuated in the third state to an on position to enable the camera to record an image or an off position to disable the camera. Additionally in this example of the method, a signal is generated via an input device in the on position of the button to enable the camera to record an image or disable the camera.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to finding a boot loader on storage. A boot process for a computing device including storage including an extensible firmware interface aware operating system is started. The storage is searched for a boot loader associated with the extensible firmware interface aware operating system.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to measuring a continuous time period a power button signal is in an active state. In an embodiment, a controller is to measure the continuous time period the power button signal is in an active state, where the power button signal enters the active state when a power button is physically activated by a user to initiate a power down of a system. Further, the controller is to generate and send an interrupt to the system if the continuous time period is greater than a controller time, the interrupt having higher priority than an operating system of the system.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to finding a boot loader on storage. A boot process for a computing device including storage including an extensible firmware interface aware operating system is started. The storage is searched for a boot loader associated with the extensible firmware interface aware operating system.

Abstract: A machine including a processor, a boot block including an immutable segment and a mutable segment, one or more BIOS images stored on the mutable segment of the boot block, and a BIOS manager executed by the processor from the immutable segment of the boot block and configured to determine whether a BIOS of the machine is valid and launch a BIOS replacement process when the BIOS is invalid.

Abstract: A machine including a processor, a boot block including an immutable segment and a mutable segment, one or more BIOS images stored on the mutable segment of the boot block, and a BIOS manager executed by the processor from the immutable segment of the boot block and configured to determine whether a BIOS of the machine is valid and launch a BIOS replacement process when the BIOS is invalid.

Abstract: Computer security is enhanced by creating an environment in which changing the state of a GPIO output or changing the configuration of a GPIO is allowed only when authorized programs are executing. A storage device stores, responsive to a write signal, a state of a data signal. The GPIO is operable to respond to the state stored in the storage device. Control logic is operable to enable the write signal when a microprocessor in the computer is in a system management mode or a lock signal is not asserted, and to disable the write signal when the lock signal is asserted and the microprocessor is not in the system management mode.

Abstract: A BIOS password security technique includes first logic operable to extract a down scan code from a keyboard input queue, the down scan code having a most significant bit; second logic operable to examine case-related auxiliary information; and third logic operable to set the state of the most significant bit responsive to the case-related auxiliary information, thereby creating a modified scan code.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for programming a data storage device with a password. Specifically, there is provided a method comprising initiating a password programming routine for a data storage device, and programming the data storage device with the password associated with an external storage medium, wherein the data storage device is configured to condition access to the data stored on the data storage device based on the password.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method for recovering a BIOS in a computer is described, comprising: unattendingly loading a BIOS recovery code image into system ROM stored on a bootable device; and unattendingly rebooting the computer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to recovering custom BIOS settings in a computer having a system ROM, a first non-volatile memory and a second non-volatile memory, comprising: storing custom default BIOS settings in the first memory, wherein custom default BIOS settings comprise at least the custom BIOS settings; and storing current BIOS settings in the second memory, wherein the current BIOS settings comprise at least a copy of the default BIOS settings, wherein an executing BIOS accesses the second memory and not the first memory.

Abstract: A method according to the invention ensures optimal memory configuration in a computer: A determination is made whether performance can be improved by rearranging the DIMMs that are installed in the computer. If so, then a user of the computer is notified that the DIMMs can be rearranged to improve performance.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with securing ports are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes a configuration logic configured to provide a security option for securing one or more selected ports. The example system may also include a security logic configured to, in response to the security option being selected, cause a data store to be modified by changing a port count to specify a fewer number of physical ports to cause an operating system to not detect the one or more selected ports.

Abstract: Software image portability may be achieved automatically: A host computer reads geometric parameters from a data structure in a boot record of a disk device containing a software image. The computer adopts those parameters as geometric translation parameters for use when accessing the software image. This may be done without the need for intervention by a computer user. In one implementation, the host computer reads the Master Boot Record from the disk device; finds a usable entry in the partition table of the Master Boot Record; reads a sector specified by the Starting LBA field in the usable partition table entry; assigns a number of sectors per track equal to the word found at offset 18h in the BIOS Parameter Block of the sector; and assigns a number of heads equal to the word found at offset 1Ah in the BIOS Parameter Block of the sector.

Abstract: An “ownership tag” in a special area of memory of a computer system identifies an owner of the computer system by displaying the ownership tag during initialization of the computer system. The ownership tag may be presented during the installation and execution of the Basic Input Output System. (BIOS) preferably during Power on Self Test (POST) process. An administrator may access the ownership tag by interrupting the process by pressing the an appropriate key, which transitions the computer to an administrator set up mode. An administrator able to enter the administrator password may then alter the contents of the protected memory, changing the ownership tag. The ownership tag is preferably stored in a region of memory not accessible to a typical user, but accessible to an administrator aware of the administrator password. The ownership tag is stored in a flash memory, which is very difficult to remove from the system board, or to modify without administrator-level security access.