Abstract: A method for enabling instant on access of productivity content on an information handling system. The method includes providing the information handling system with a first operating system partition and a second operating system partition wherein the first operating system partition is a main operating system partition and the second operating system partition is an instant on operating system partition, storing a synchronization management module within the first operating system partition, storing a productivity module within the second operating system partition, synchronizing productivity content stored on the first operating system partition with the productivity module via the synchronization management module, and accessing the synchronized productivity content via the productivity module of the second operating system partition.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring a master boot record in association with accessing a hidden partition is disclosed. According to one aspect, a method of restoring a master boot record for a storage device is disclosed. The method can include initiating access to a hidden partition stored within a storage device. The method can also include disassociating a visible partition descriptor from a visible partition of the storage device. The method can also include associating the visible partition descriptor with the hidden partition and accessing the hidden partition using the visible partition descriptor. The method can also include reassociating the visible partition descriptor with the visible partition while accessing the hidden partition.

Abstract: A fixed image factory installation system which enables installation and launching of additional partitions or volumes. The fixed image factory installation system further enables customization and configuration of additional operating systems with corresponding drivers and software applications stack. The additional partitions can be hidden and do not require a visible descriptor.

Abstract: A method for registering and initiating a pre-boot environment for enabling partitions. The method provides a basic input output system (CIOS) with an application program interface (API) that accesses a Logical Clock Address (LCA) sector number when a boot configuration flag is set, the LCA sector number stores an operating environment manager which then boots the information handling system to an appropriate partition.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing a hidden partition during a boot sequence is disclosed. An information handling system can include a basic input output system (BIOS) that can be operable to access a master boot record (MBR) of a storage device. The digital media storage device can include a fixed number of visible partitions and at least one hidden partition. The information handling system can further include a processor operable to detect a boot event operably associated with initiating a request to access contents that can be stored within an associated hidden partition of the storage device. The information handing system can also include a memory that can be operable to store at least a portion of the contents of the hidden partition. The contents can be stored upon accessing the hidden partition using an association established between one of the fixed number of visible partitions and the hidden partition.

Abstract: An information handling system having multiple browser applications includes a browser management utility for selecting one of the browsers as a default browser. The browser management utility provides a central access point for accessing the multiple browsers. The browser management utility enables a user to port settings from one browser application to another browser application. The browser management utility also includes a configurable option which provides the guidance novice users while enabling more experienced users more control over the selection of browser and which information is ported from one browser to another. Additionally, such a system provides a user with a single location to store and manage common browser application settings such as bookmarks, passwords, and cookies.

Abstract: An intelligent system for determining an optimal partition size on an information handling system. The system provides customers with an improved customer experience by offering a partition that is sized only as large as needed according to optional/locked/trial data downloaded for that system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing DVD off-disc content using a broadband conditional access network are described. In one embodiment, content is read from optical media and based on that content, a request is initiated to a conditional access network interface for content not stored on the optical media. Content is supplied in response to the request and received from the conditional access network interface. Graphical display signals are generated for a user display based on the content supplied in response to the request.

Abstract: A method for providing a user with feedback of firewall activity. The method includes determining when access to an application is attempted, blocking access of the application to the Internet based upon a blocked application list, and providing feedback to the user when access to an application is blocked by the firewall every time access to the application is blocked.

Abstract: A method for navigating within a disc. The method includes authoring the disc, the authoring including storing a plurality of files on the disc and a media management module on the disc and using a media management generation module to associate the files with search criteria, and executing the media management module when the disc is inserted into an information handling system, the executing presenting a user with an option of searching files stored on the disc using with the search criteria is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for accessing digital content on instant on enabled information handling systems in which the instant on enabled information handling system includes a license management module that resides within a main operating system partition. When a user attempts to access licensed digital content via a instant on partition, the instant on media application accesses the license management module that resides within the main operating system partition to verify that a license is available.

Abstract: Configuring a security application includes determining whether user preferences for the security application are pre-loaded in an information handling system (IHS) received by a user. If the user preferences have not been pre-loaded a request to receive the user preferences corresponding to the user and the security application is sent to a provider of the security application. The request includes a unique identifier for accessing the user preferences for the security application. The user preferences, which have been previously configured by the user for another IHS, are stored in a predefined format and are accessible to any requester providing the unique identifier. The provider provides the user preferences corresponding to the unique identifier.

Abstract: A method of offering and refreshing content on fixed image platforms which includes storing a fixed image on an imaging server, storing content which is regularly updated in an imaging server, merging the fixed image and at least some of the content to provide a merged fixed image, and installing the merged fixed image onto a fixed image platform is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of managing licenses for content installed onto information handling systems which includes storing an image and regularly updated content on an imaging server, storing license information relating to the content on a license management server, merging the image and at least some of the content to provide a merged image, installing the merged image onto an information handling system and installing license information relating to at least some of the content onto the information handling system is disclosed.

Abstract: A system for upgrading and authorizing a third party component loaded onto an information handling system which includes an upgrade and authorization module which enables a customer to indicate a desire to upgrade at least one upgradeable component wherein the upgrade and authorization module is executed by a system supplier, and a database which receives information from and supplies information to the upgrade and authorization module is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for preconfiguring an information handling system which includes means for configuring a system with options selected according to user input wherein the options includes at least one renewable component, means for enabling a customer to indicate authorization to automatically renew the renewable component, and a database that receives information from and supplies information to the configurator and the automatic renewal module is disclosed.

Abstract: A file association recommendation function which when a user tries to execute a certain type of file such a multimedia file (e.g., a MP3 type file or JPG type file) for which there is no file association, a file association recommendation module is invoked that presents application recommendations to the user. The recommendation module will provide a user with a list of applications that may be associated with a particular type of file as well as a recommended application for the association. The recommendation module the queries the user to associate the MP3, JPG or multimedia content with one of the applications from the list of applications. The applications are pre-installed on the system. Based on the user's choice, the file association recommendation module sets that application as the default application for the certain type of file (e.g., Yahoo Music as default for playing MP3 for the user).

Abstract: A method for setting file associations during a factory installation process which includes determining an application that is installed onto an information handling system, setting a file association default that sets file association policies within a file association file, accessing the file association file to determine an appropriate file association, and associating files with the application based upon the file association policies is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for printing image data from a service provider which includes identifying image data stored by the service provider for printing, transferring the image data to a user information handling system, configuring the user information handling system for printing the image data and automatically printing the image data. Configuring the user information handling system for printing is performed by the service provider.

Abstract: A method for distributing middleware applications onto an information handling system having a plurality of installed components. The method includes selecting a preferred version of a middleware application based upon the plurality of installed components on the information handling system and installing the preferred version of the middleware application.