Abstract: A computer security device for preventing unauthorized access to a computer system automatically disables peripheral device access to the computer system after the peripheral input devices remain inactive for a predetermined period. The system comprises a host computer which is in communication with a keyboard controller and a display. The keyboard controller is in communication with one or more peripheral input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. The computer security device operates in the keyboard controller, independent from the host. The keyboard controller activates security after a preset time period during which the mouse and keyboard remain inactive. When the security is active, the keyboard controller disables transfers to the host computer from the peripheral input devices. In order to re-enable peripheral device access to the host computer, a user enters a correct password on the keyboard. In a preferred embodiment, the display is also deactivated when security is active.

Abstract: A data log for use with conventional hard disk subsystems or other data storage subsystems provides a system to minimize delays caused in a computer system due to the input/output systems, such as hard disks. The data log is preferably one or more hard disks, or any other non-volatile data storage device. Preferably, when the operating system requests a write to the hard disk subsystem, a hard disk controller directs the data to the data log rather than the hard disks. Then, when I/O requests are at a lull, the hard disk controller moves the data from the data log to the hard disk subsystem. Because the data is written to the data log sequentially, the hard disk controller completes the write operation quickly. This minimizes any bottleneck created while the system waits for the completion of the write operation.