Abstract: Computerized methods and apparatus capture electronic information about a purchase of a combination of computer hardware and software. A registration associated with the purchase is detected as part of an installation of the computer hardware or software. A customized automated installation process that provides a graphical linear experience through the installation of the computer hardware or software is provided. The graphical linear experience is presented on computer hardware other than computer hardware included in the purchase. The graphical experience includes photographs or diagrams that are customized to the purchase based on the purchased items. The customized automated installation process runs, at least in a part, on a processor other than a processor included in the purchase. Step by step instructions that are customized for the combination of hardware and software are presented.

Abstract: A computer system with read/write access to storage devices creates a snapshot of a data volume at a point in time while continuing to accept access requests to the mirrored data volume by copying before making changes to the base data volume. Multiple snapshots may be made of the same data volume at different points in time. Only data that is not stored in a previous snapshot volume or in the base data volume are stored in the most recent snapshot volume.