Abstract: A system and method for executing a participating application from media coupled to a computing device. The participating application may be executed automatically or manually. When the application is executed, a task disk control file is read from the removable media. The task disk control file contains all of the configuration information necessary to run the participating application from the coupled media. The participating application is then launched for use by a user. After the user is finished using the participating application, all data files are saved, temporary files deleted and configuration information removed prior to the termination of the application to return the computing device to an original state.

Abstract: A data file mirroring application that monitors data files stored in a source directory for archiving to at least two other backup data storage locations. Preferably, one of these backup data storage locations is on the Internet. The other may be a local data storage location, meaning a location that the host computer can access without using the Internet, e.g., a floppy drive, hard drive, high-density storage medium drive, etc. The user interface of the mirroring application flexibly allows the user to specify the source data to be backed up and the two or more backup data storage locations.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically executing a participating application upon insertion of a removable media into a computing device. When the computing device detects that the removable media containing has been inserted, a task disk control file is read from the removable media. The task disk control file contains all of the configuration information necessary to run the participating application from the removable media. The participating application is then launched for use by a user. After the user is finished using the participating application, the removable disk is automatically ejected. In addition to monitoring for insertion of the removable media, events such as a completion of the self-contained application and a request to eject the media are monitored. When a completion event is encountered, all data files are saved, temporary files deleted and configuration information removed prior to the removable disk ejection.

Abstract: A data file mirroring application that monitors data files stored in a source directory for archiving to at least two other backup data storage locations. Preferably, one of these backup data storage locations is on the Internet. The other may be a local data storage location, meaning a location that the host computer can access without using the Internet, e.g., a floppy drive, hard drive, high-density storage medium drive, etc. The user interface of the mirroring application flexibly allows the user to specify the source data to be backed up and the two or more backup data storage locations.

Abstract: A computer recovery system provided on a removable high capacity disk. In the event that a user encounters an abnormal operating condition, the user inserts the removable high capacity disk into the computer and restarts the computer. The computer boots either directly from the removable high capacity disk or from a floppy disk which transfers control to the removable high capacity disk. The removable high capacity disk includes all of the files necessary to load the computer operating system and launch the graphical user interface of the operating system such that the user is provided with a familiar operating environment. The removable high capacity disk also includes a suite of software recovery software which attempt to ascertain and correct the cause of the abnormal operating condition to return the computer system to a normal operating condition.

Abstract: A data file mirroring application that monitors data files stored in a source directory for archiving to a remote storage medium at a destination node through a communications network. The mirroring application archives the data files to the remote storage medium in accordance with user-configured settings, and without user intervention. The data files may be archived based on a time period elapsing or a data file being revised and saved. The application may identify the remote storage medium in accordance with a unique identifier.

Abstract: A computer recovery system provided on a removable high capacity disk. In the event that a user encounters an abnormal operating condition, the user inserts the removable high capacity disk into the computer and restarts the computer. The computer boots either directly from the removable high capacity disk or from a floppy disk which transfers control to the removable high capacity disk. The removable high capacity disk includes all of the files necessary to load the computer operating system and launch the graphical user interface of the operating system such that the user is provided with a familiar operating environment. The removable high capacity disk also includes a suite of software recovery software which attempt to ascertain and correct the cause of the abnormal operating condition to return the computer system to a normal operating condition.