Abstract: A method for starting up and maintaining multiple networked computing systems by using a common start-up program located in one place within a network is disclosed. Start-up code is partitioned into two sections: common start-up code and unique driver programs. Common start-up code includes instructions causing common components in each networked computing system to start-up resides in one location on networked media. Executing a networked computer's boot program instructions causes common start-up code to be retrieved from networked media and executed. Executing common start-up code instructions causes unique driver programs comprising instructions for starting up unique components in each networked computer to be read from networked media by each networked computer. Each networked computing system executes common start-up code instructions and unique driver program instructions to configure and start the networked computing system.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable instructions for executing a file with a file format is provided. An attempt is made to execute the file with a first computer application within a plurality of computer applications. Responsive to the first computer application being unable to recognize the file format of the file, a second computer application within the plurality of computer applications is selected to execute the file. The file is then executed using the selected second computer application.

Abstract: A method and system for running, on different computers at the same time, multiple operating systems from the same shared system resource is provided. This is accomplished, for example, by using persistent elemental disk reservations. Each machine reads the master boot record without reservation to determine the partition of the operating system to be booted. Each machine then makes an elemental exclusive write persistent reservation for accessing the operating system boot partition. This is followed by each machine making another elemental exclusive write persistent reservation for accessing the operating system partition itself. Each machine is assigned a different operating system partition even if they are running the same operating system. The unique reservation key for these reservations is created from at least on of a Processor ID, a Cluster ID, a Multiple Processor partition ID, a Non-Uniform Memory Access complex ID, and/or a Non-Uniform Memory Access node ID.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable instructions for executing a file with a file format is provided. An attempt is made to execute the file with a first computer application within a plurality of computer applications. Responsive to the first computer application being unable to recognize the file format of the file, a second computer application within the plurality of computer applications is selected to execute the file. The file is then executed using the selected second computer application.