Abstract: The invention includes a method of providing a known-good configuration for a computer, comprising storing a known-good computer configuration and restoring the known-good configuration via non-interactive user input. The configuration includes in various embodiments hardware and software configuration parameters. The known-good configuration is stored in some embodiments in computer storage such as a hard disc drive, and is loaded from storage upon restoration of the configuration. The non-interactive user input of some embodiments is a protected switch, hot key combination of keyboard keys, or is a special-purpose key or switch. The configuration is determined to be a known-good configuration to be stored in various embodiments by user determination that a configuration is good, by computer determination that the configuration is good based on a predetermined period of successful computer operation, or via other similar methods that suggest a proper configuration.

Abstract: A pointing device, such as a mouse or trackball, incorporates a selection switch, such as a button, that signals switching circuitry external to the pointing device to switch the connections of the device from one computer to another. Optionally, the selection switch also switches an additional peripheral between computers. A second input device, such as a keyboard, incorporates a second selection switch and activating any selection switch signals the switching circuitry to switch both input devices and any additional peripheral to a different computer.