Abstract: Systems and arrangements for remotely selecting a bootable image via a WOL packet for a wake-on-LAN (WOL) capable computer are contemplated. Server-side embodiments include hardware and/or software for determining a client to be managed, determining whether the client is active on the network, and transmitting a WOL packet having a vector, or operating system partition identification (OSPID), to describe a bootable image accessible by the WOL capable computer. Some embodiments may include an OSPID that points to a secure bootable image such as a bootable image on a hard drive, a compact disk (CD) connected to the computer, or other local resource. Client-side embodiments may receive the WOL packet at, for instance, a network interface card (NIC), recognize that the WOL packet includes an OSPID that describes the bootable image to boot, and implement an alternative boot sequence to boot from that bootable image.

Abstract: Systems and arrangements for remotely selecting a bootable image via a WOL packet for a wake-on-LAN (WOL) capable computer are contemplated. Server-side embodiments include hardware and/or software for determining a client to be managed, determining whether the client is active on the network, and transmitting a WOL packet having a vector, or operating system partition identification (OSPID), to describe a bootable image accessible by the WOL capable computer. Some embodiments may include an OSPID that points to a secure bootable image such as a bootable image on a hard drive, a compact disk (CD) connected to the computer, or other local resource. Client-side embodiments may receive the WOL packet at, for instance, a network interface card (NIC), recognize that the WOL packet includes an OSPID that describes the bootable image to boot, and implement an alternative boot sequence to boot from that bootable image.

Abstract: A computer program product and system for reducing the boot time of a TCPA based computing system. A flash memory in the TCPA based computing system may include a register comprising bits configured to indicate whether the segments of the flash memory have been updated. The flash memory may further include a table configured to store measurements of the segments of the flash memory. The flash memory may further include a boot block code that includes a Core Root of Trust for Measurement (CRTM). The CRTM may read the bits in the register to determine if any of the segments of the flash memory have been updated. The CRTM may further obtain the measurement values in the table for those segments that store the POST BIOS code that have not been updated thereby saving time from measuring the POST BIOS code and consequently reducing the boot time.

Abstract: A “setmax” command is issued in BIOS to hide the service area (HPA) of a HDD during normal operation, so that the HPA cannot be accessed or erased inadvertently by the user or by a virus. Pressing a special key (e.g., F11) during booting permits access to the HPA.

Abstract: A data processing system and method of password protecting the boot of a data processing system are disclosed. According to the method, in response to an attempt to boot the data processing system utilizing a boot device, the boot device is interrogated for a password. If the boot device supplies password information corresponding to that of a trusted boot device, the data processing system boots utilizing the boot device. If, however, the boot device does not supply password information corresponding to that of a trusted boot device, booting from the boot device is inhibited. In a preferred embodiment, the password information comprises a unique combination of the boot device's manufacturer-supplied model and serial numbers.

Abstract: In the event of a virally infected MBR on a hard disk drive that might prevent booting, a service MBR in a hidden protected area (HPA) can be used to boot a service O.S., and then the service MBR can be replaced with a previously backed-up MBR, also in the HPA, to mount any missing partitions.

Abstract: A method for booting into computer memory a non-operating system (O.S.) program from a hard disk drive (HDD) prior to booting into memory an O.S. from the HDD. The method includes establishing a table of contents (TOC) on the HDD that contains entries for special O.S. programs. A pointer to the TOC is placed in non-volatile memory of the computer that is associated with the HDD, and when BIOS of the computer is prompted to load into memory one of the special O.S. programs, the pointer is accessed and used to locate the TOC, which in turn is accessed to load the special O.S. program.

Abstract: A computer system is presented which provides a trusted platform by which operations can be performed with an increased level trust and confidence. The basis of trust for the computer system is established by an encryption coprocessor and by code which interfaces with the encryption coprocessor and establishes root of trust metrics for the platform. The encryption coprocessor is built such that certain critical operations are allowed only if physical presence of an operator has been detected. Physical presence is determined by inference based upon the status of registers in the core chipset.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and system for reducing the boot time of a TCPA based computing system. A flash memory in the TCPA based computing system may include a register comprising bits configured to indicate whether the segments of the flash memory have been updated. The flash memory may further include a table configured to store measurements of the segments of the flash memory. The flash memory may further include a boot block code that includes a Core Root of Trust for Measurement (CRTM). The CRTM may read the bits in the register to determine if any of the segments of the flash memory have been updated. The CRTM may further obtain the measurement values in the table for those segments that store the POST BIOS code that have not been updated thereby saving time from measuring the POST BIOS code and consequently reducing the boot time.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and system for reducing the boot time of a TCPA based computing system. A flash memory in the TCPA based computing system may include a register comprising bits configured to indicate whether the segments of the flash memory have been updated. The flash memory may further include a table configured to store measurements of the segments of the flash memory. The flash memory may further include a boot block code that includes a Core Root of Trust for Measurement (CRTM). The CRTM may read the bits in the register to determine if any of the segments of the flash memory have been updated. The CRTM may further obtain the measurement values in the table for those segments that store the POST BIOS code that have not been updated thereby saving time from measuring the POST BIOS code and consequently reducing the boot time.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium containing programming instructions for detecting a tamper event in a computer system having an embedded security system (ESS), a trusted operating system, and a plurality of devices is disclosed. The method, system and computer readable medium of the present invention provide for receiving a tamper signal in the ESS, and locking the tamper signal in the ESS. According to the method, system and computer readable medium of the present invention, the trusted operating system is capable of detecting the tamper signal in the ESS.

Abstract: An update utility requests a signature verification of the utility's signature along with a request to unlock the flash memory stored in the utility. A trusted platform module (“TPM”) performs a signature verification of the utility using a previously stored public key. Upon verification of the signature, the TPM unlocks the flash memory to permit update of the utility. Upon completion of the update, the flash utility issues a lock request to the TPM to relock the flash memory.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements are disclosed for secure single sign on to an operating system using only a power-on password. In many embodiments modified BIOS code prompts for, receives and verifies the power-on password. The power-on password is hashed and stored in a Platform Configuration Register of the Trusted Platform Module. In a setup mode, the trusted platform module encrypts the operating system password using the hashed power-on password. In a logon mode, the trusted platform module decrypts the operating system password using the hashed power-on password.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system to seal a data repository to a trusted computing platform is described. The data repository may be sealed by encrypting the data on the repository and sealing a cryptographic key to a specific set of platform resources. With the data repository sealed to the platform, the system boot sequence will fail if the system configuration is compromised, for example by insertion of “snoopware” or a modified BIOS. Additionally, if the computer containing the data repository is lost or stolen, the encrypted data remains secure even if the repository is attached to a system modified to bypass normal safeguards.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling security attestation for a computing device during a return from an S4 sleep state. When the computing device enters into the S4 state following a successful boot up, the attestation log is appended to the TPM tick count and the log is signed (with a security signature). When the device is awaken from S4 state, the BIOS obtains and verifies the log created during the previous boot. The CRTM maintains a set of virtual PCRs and references these virtual PCRs against the log. If the values do not match, the return from S4 state fails and the device is rebooted.

Abstract: A system and method that marks whenever a sector on a hard drive is altered. A protected archive bit is maintained for each sector on the hard drive in a secured fashion. Authenticated requests are able to reset the protected archive bit. When a file is changed, the hard drive marks the sectors of the program that have been altered. When the virus protection application executes, it retrieves the sectors that have been altered, identifies the files that correspond to such sectors, and scans the identified files. If a virus has attacked the computer and attached itself to one of the files, the file is identified and scanned and the virus is discovered with appropriate eradication actions performed. An authentication scheme is assigned to a hard drive with a secret that is shared between the drive and the virus protection program and stored in a secure location.

Abstract: Systems and arrangements for remotely selecting a bootable image via a WOL packet for a wake-on-LAN (WOL) capable computer are contemplated. Server-side embodiments include hardware and/or software for determining a client to be managed, determining whether the client is active on the network, and transmitting a WOL packet having a vector, or operating system partition identification (OSPID), to describe a bootable image accessible by the WOL capable computer. Some embodiments may include an OSPID that points to a secure bootable image such as a bootable image on a hard drive, a compact disk (CD) connected to the computer, or other local resource. Client-side embodiments may receive the WOL packet at, for instance, a network interface card (NIC), recognize that the WOL packet includes an OSPID that describes the bootable image to boot, and implement an alternative boot sequence to boot from that bootable image.

Abstract: A method for booting into computer memory a non-operating system (O.S.) program from a hard disk drive (HDD) prior to booting into memory an O.S. from the HDD. The method includes establishing a table of contents (TOC) on the HDD that contains entries for special O.S. programs. A pointer to the TOC is placed in non-volatile memory of the computer that is associated with the HDD, and when BIOS of the computer is prompted to load into memory one of the special O.S. programs, the pointer is accessed and used to locate the TOC, which in turn is accessed to load the special O.S. program.

Abstract: A cooling fan, system and method for controlling cooling fans in a personal computer. A unique series of sensing points is placed on a rotating hub of a cooling fan in order to uniquely identify the particular type of cooling fan. A tachometer sensor mounted in the cooling fan detects the unique series of sensing points as the cooling fan rotates and generates a sequence of pulses corresponding to the detected sending points. This generated pulse signal may be transmitted by the sensor to the fan control code. The fan control code may determine a particular type of cooling fan that the cooling fan is based on the generated pulse signal. Once the fan control code determines the particular type of cooling fan that the cooling fan is, the fan control code uses particular control parameters set for that particular type of cooling fan to control the cooling fan so that it operates optimally.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and computer system for securing alterable data. A computer that is remotely managed may be equipped with a protected storage that is accessible only by BIOS code. The protected storage may have the capacity to store a symmetrical encryption key. An EEPROM, which normally contains the BIOS code, may be used to store accessible configuration data as well as remotely unaccessible sensitive access information (e.g., passwords). The remotely unaccessible sensitive data is encrypted with the symmetrical encryption key by the BIOS code. Remote access to the sensitive data is accomplished via change requests submitted to the BIOS code over a secure channel. The BIOS code then determines whether the request is valid. If so, then sensitive data is decrypted, altered, encrypted, and re-written into the EEPROM. Normal access to accessible data is unaffected and remote access is allowed without changing the computer system architecture.