Abstract: An optical drive apparatus includes a drive tray including an optical drive mechanism, whereby the drive tray is operable to be inserted directly into an information handling system drive bay free of a drive chassis. An information handling system chassis may be provided that accepts the optical drive apparatus and couples the optical drive apparatus to the information handling system without the need of a drive chassis.

Abstract: A graphics processing system and method for displaying an image having first and second graphics processors coupled together. A main display device is coupled to the first graphics processor. Secondary display devices are coupled to the second graphics processor. The first and second graphics processors are operable to share processing for displaying the image on the main display, or the first graphics processor is operable to process a main portion of the image for displaying the main portion of the image on the main display and the second graphics processor is operable to process secondary portions of the image for displaying the secondary portions of the image on the secondary display devices.

Abstract: A computing product is first assembled according to a predetermined hardware configuration and placed in a shipping container thus providing a containerized computer system. The computing product has a wireless communication subsystem for wirelessly receiving configuration information. The containerized computer system is fully configured before shipping the computer system to a predetermined customer by exchanging information between the wireless communication subsystem and a wireless information network in the manufacturing facility.

Abstract: A wireless access subsystem is first attached to a peripheral port of a computing product. The computing product is further assembled with other components and goes through various testing processes while being tracked and monitored by a manufacturing control server through wireless communications with the wireless access subsystem. The wireless access subsystem has a separate power supplier incorporated therein and operates independently from the computing product.

Abstract: A method of preventing LCD damage in an information handling system is disclosed. The method includes mounting an LCD in a screen portion of an information handling system. The LCD has a top layer with a particular hardness. Another step in the method is rotatably mounting a base portion of the information handling system to the screen portion such that the portions can assume a proximate position and a separated position. A material is affixed to the base portion such that at least a portion of the material is between the base portion and the LCD in the proximate position. The material has a hardness no greater than the hardness of the top layer of the LCD.

Abstract: A wireless access subsystem is first attached to a peripheral port of a computing product. The computing product is further assembled with other components and goes through various testing processes while being tracked and monitored by a manufacturing control server through wireless communications with the wireless access subsystem. The wireless access subsystem has a separate power supplier incorporated therein and operates independently from the computing product.

Abstract: A wireless access subsystem is first attached to a peripheral port of a computing product. The computing product is further assembled with other components and goes through various testing processes while being tracked and monitored by a manufacturing control server through wireless communications with the wireless access subsystem. The wireless access subsystem has a separate power supplier incorporated therein and operates independently from the computing product.

Abstract: A method of preventing LCD damage in an information handling system is disclosed. The method includes mounting an LCD in a screen portion of an information handling system. The LCD has a top layer with a particular hardness. Another step in the method is rotatably mounting a base portion of the information handling system to the screen portion such that the portions can assume a proximate position and a separated position. A material is affixed to the base portion such that at least a portion of the material is between the base portion and the LCD in the proximate position. The material has a hardness no greater than the hardness of the top layer of the LCD.

Abstract: A docking station can be horizontally supported on a desk surface or can be vertically supported on a wall or a partition. The docking station includes a substantially planar base. A docking connector is included in the base. A mounting member is also attached to the base. A portable computer can be coupled to the docking connector so that the computer extends substantially parallel to the base. The mounting member can be attached to the wall or partition whereby the base and the portable computer extend in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A manufacturing process starts from installing a wireless communication subsystem on a computer system, and allows information exchanges made wirelessly by the computer system and a manufacturing control computer of the wireless information network to complete manufacturing the computer system.

Abstract: A docking station can be horizontally supported on a desk surface or can be vertically supported on a wall or a partition. The docking station includes a substantially planar base. A docking connector is included in the base. A mounting member is also attached to the base. A portable computer can be coupled to the docking connector so that the computer extends substantially parallel to the base. The mounting member can be attached to the wall or partition whereby the base and the portable computer extend in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A computer includes a base having an exterior surface. A keyboard includes input components mounted on a portion of the exterior surface. A palm rest area is adjacent the keyboard. At least one palm rest component is detachably mounted in the palm rest area. Auxiliary input components are mounted in the palm rest area adjacent the palm rest component.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a mechanical component and thereby verify any warranty covering the mechanical component includes encoding a mechanical component, identifying an attribute of the mechanical component via the encoding, providing the attribute to detection logic located on a system board, the detection logic providing the attribute to a configuration diagnostic system. A method of detecting warranty violations further includes providing a mechanical component with a unique identifier and transmitting identifying data to diagnostic software that includes a log or marker capable of detecting and logging changes in the mechanical component. The method further includes transmitting the data identifying the change in the mechanical component via a network connection to warranty verification software.

Abstract: A manufacturing process starts from installing a wireless communication subsystem on a computer system, and allows information exchanges made wirelessly by the computer system and a manufacturing control computer of the wireless information network to complete manufacturing the computer system.

Abstract: A wireless access subsystem is first attached to a peripheral port of a computing product. The computing product is further assembled with other components and goes through various testing processes while being tracked and monitored by a manufacturing control server through wireless communications with the wireless access subsystem. The wireless access subsystem has a separate power supplier incorporated therein and operates independently from the computing product.

Abstract: A computing product is first assembled according to a predetermined hardware configuration and placed in a shipping container thus providing a containerized computer system. The computing product has a wireless communication subsystem for wirelessly receiving configuration information. The containerized computer system is fully configured before shipping the computer system to a predetermined customer by exchanging information between the wireless communication subsystem and a wireless information network in the manufacturing facility.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for making the cable connectors of a docking port more easily accessible for coupling and decoupling peripheral devices to the docking port. An advantage of the present invention is that it provides for easier accessibility with a minimum of moving parts and mechanisms by providing for the rotation of part of the docking port to make the port's connectors more easily accessible to a computer user.

Abstract: A torsion system for a portable computer including a base and cover pivotally connected to the base for movement between a closed position and an open position. The cover has a free end and a pivotally connected end. A pair of spaced apart hinge components are mounted on the pivotally connected end of the cover between a first side and a second side of the cover. A first frame portion is mounted in the first side of the cover and a second frame portion is mounted in the second side of the cover. A torsion member interconnects the pair of hinge components and the first and second frame portions. The torsion member has a closed cross-section.

Abstract: A self-contained flowable thermal interface material module includes a carrier having opposite sides and a continuous peripheral edge. A thermal interface material is mounted on the carrier. A portion of the interface material is exposed on each of the opposite sides. A continuous gasket is mounted on the carrier and is also exposed on each of the opposite sides. The gasket is positioned between the interface material and the peripheral edge. The module may be positioned between a heat generating component and a heat sink so that a portion of the gasket seals with the heat generating component, and a portion of the gasket seals with the heat sink to form a reservoir for retaining the heated flowable interface material. In this manner, the gasket contains a reservoir of the thermal interface material in contact with the heat generating component and with the heat sink throughout continuous periods of thermal cycling.

Abstract: A connector suitable for providing an electrical connection between a plurality of modules with card edge connections and the motherboard in a stacked configuration is disclosed. This connector includes a plurality of housings, each containing a socket with contacts suitable for providing an electrical contact between a module and the motherboard. These housings are stacked in a direction normal to the surface on which the connector is mounted, such as the motherboard. These housings can also be offset with respect to each other such that the modules are secured to the connector in a stacked and stepped configuration.