Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer storage media for providing a virtual diagnostic system in a secure networking engine of a technical support management system. The virtual diagnostic system provides a secure networking connection and diagnostic and debugging services between a cloud provider computing environment and a customer computing environment. The virtual diagnostic system includes a virtual lab VM network, a private VPN service, and virtual diagnostic system machines. The virtual lab virtual machine network operates in an instance of the secure network engine at the secure networking engine site. In operation, a request to instantiate a secure networking engine is accessed. The request comprises location parameters of the diagnostic target. Based on the location parameters of the diagnostic target, a secure networking engine site for instantiating the secure networking engine is determined.

Abstract: A portable computing device prevents a magnetic disk unit protecting function from impairing usability for a user when the processor is used as a tablet PC. The portable computing device includes a magnetic disk unit, a magnetic disk unit protecting section operable when predicting an occurrence of an impact to carry out a magnetic disk unit protecting function for retracting a head of the magnetic disk unit, and a detecting section that detects whether a user is holding the portable computing device or not, and responsive to detecting that the user is holding the portable computing device, temporarily deactivating the magnetic disk unit protecting function.

Abstract: A portable computing device prevents a magnetic disk unit protecting function from impairing usability for a user when the processor is used as a tablet PC. The portable computing device includes a magnetic disk unit, a magnetic disk unit protecting section operable when predicting an occurrence of an impact to carry out a magnetic disk unit protecting function for retracting a head of the magnetic disk unit, and a detecting section that detects whether a user is holding the portable computing device or not, and responsive to detecting that the user is holding the portable computing device, temporarily deactivating the magnetic disk unit protecting function.

Abstract: Setting information is transferred to an information processing apparatus from another information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes a transfer unit, a rule unit, an acquiring unit, and an updating unit. The transfer unit sets transfer instruction information to instruct a transfer process to be performed, when the user logs in and while an administrator is logged in. The rule unit sets up an operating environment for the user based on rule setting information in a case when the user logs into the information processing apparatus for the first time. The acquisition unit acquires setting information of the user from a transfer file where the setting information acquired from the other information processing apparatus as a transfer source is stored while the user is logged in, where the transfer instruction information has been set. The updating unit updates the rule setting information with the acquired setting information.

Abstract: A portable notebook PC comprising a lid is able to avoid possible trouble during its transfer (as when a user carries the PC with him or her) and is able to reduce the time required to start up after the transfer. The portable notebook PC has a normal operating mode in which a user can utilize the notebook PC, a power saving mode in which an operation performed in the normal operating mode is saved to a predetermined memory so that power consumption can be reduced by using the minimum power required to retain data, and a transfer mode in which the system is temporarily disabled by stopping functions that may become defective during the transfer with a CPU remaining operative.

Abstract: A power control method for a magnetic disk unit is disclosed. The method includes identifying a type of a last instruction sent to a magnetic disk unit and, in response to identifying the type, setting a wait time that varies according to the type. In response to the wait time having elapsed after a completion of processing ordered by the last instruction, an idle instruction is sent to the magnetic disk unit for placing the magnetic disk unit in an idle state in which power consumption is reduced.

Abstract: A method for controlling an external storage device connected to a computer by accepting an operation by a user and issuing an ejection request to the external storage device connected to the computer, including encryption techniques, is provided.

Abstract: A system for controlling an external storage device connected to a computer by accepting an operation by a user via an acceptance means and encryption means for encrypting a predetermined data file stored in the external storage device, upon a particular event, is provided, is provided.

Abstract: The hibernation of a computing device is initiated in response to user input. The operating system of the computing device initiates a termination process as part of hibernation. Prior to completion of the process, a particular driver detects user input to cancel hibernation. Before terminating, the operating system inquires to a number of drivers regarding whether hibernation should continue. The particular driver responds that hibernation should not continue, and the operating system thus cancels hibernation. In another embodiment, the user does not provide input to cancel hibernation until after the termination process has been completed. Upon completion of the process, the current state of the computing device is saved. Prior to completely saving the current state, firmware detects the user input to cancel hibernation. Once the current state has been completely saved, the firmware initiates a return-from-hibernation process by the operating system, without powering off the computing device.

Abstract: A power control method for a magnetic disk unit is disclosed. The method includes identifying a type of a last instruction sent to a magnetic disk unit and, in response to identifying the type, setting a wait time that varies according to the type. In response to the wait time having elapsed after a completion of processing ordered by the last instruction, an idle instruction is sent to the magnetic disk unit for placing the magnetic disk unit in an idle state in which power consumption is reduced.

Abstract: Setting information is transferred to an information processing apparatus from another information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes a transfer unit, a rule unit, an acquiring unit, and an updating unit. The transfer unit sets transfer instruction information to instruct a transfer process to be performed, when the user logs in and while an administrator is logged in. The rule unit sets up an operating environment for the user based on rule setting information in a case when the user logs into the information processing apparatus for the first time. The acquisition unit acquires setting information of the user from a transfer file where the setting information acquired from the other information processing apparatus as a transfer source is stored while the user is logged in, where the transfer instruction information has been set. The updating unit updates the rule setting information with the acquired setting information.

Abstract: A device registration part 52 registers the information regarding devices of theft prevention object in a DB 53 for devices of theft prevention object. A device event monitoring part 54 receives the notification of information regarding a removal request or a removal action for a device. A device detection part 55 acquires the detailed information regarding the device for which the removal request or the removal action is made. A device identification part 56 determines whether the device on which the detailed information is acquired is registered in the DB 53 for devices of theft prevention object. A password authentication part 57 requests password authentication, if the device is registered in the DB 53 for devices of theft prevention object. A warning control part 59 issues a warning in response to the password authentication part 57 not properly performing authentication.

Abstract: A portable notebook PC comprising a lid is able to avoid possible trouble during its transfer (as when a user carries the PC with him or her) and is able to reduce the time required to start up after the transfer. The portable notebook PC has a normal operating mode in which a user can utilize the notebook PC, a power saving mode in which an operation performed in the normal operating mode is saved to a predetermined memory so that power consumption can be reduced by using the minimum power required to retain data, and a transfer mode in which the system is temporarily disabled by stopping functions that may become defective during the transfer with a CPU remaining operative.

Abstract: A computer program or the like is provided for reducing changes to the setting information by the computer. A management apparatus is provided for managing devices connected to a computer using a layered structure including a managing section for setting information associated with each of the devices by recording it in a setting information database using a layered structure; an adding section, if an existing device has been replaced by a new device for adding the setting information for the new device into the setting information database; a condition deciding section to determine whether the existing device and the new device have a predetermined relationship; and a changing section, if the existing device and the new device have the predetermined relationship, for managing the setting information for a low level device, which is a device managed as a lower layer of the existing device, as the lower layer of setting information for the new device and recording it in the setting information database.

Abstract: A system for controlling an external storage device connected to a computer by accepting an operation by a user via an acceptance means and encryption means for encrypting a predetermined data file stored in the external storage device, upon a particular event, is provided, is provided.

Abstract: A method for controlling an external storage device connected to a computer by accepting an operation by a user and issuing an ejection request to the external storage device connected to the computer, including encryption techniques, is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an input method using the pointing device in which the pointing device's ON operation causes an application to recognize that the state of the pointing device has transitioned to an ON state and the pointing device's OFF operation causes the application to recognize that the state of the pointing device has transitioned to an OFF state. The input method includes responding to the ON operation of the pointing device maintained in a certain period and bringing about a latch state in which the pointing device remains in the ON state for the application even if the OFF operation of the pointing device has taken place; and executing a program for informing a user that the latch state has been brought about.

Abstract: A computer program or the like is provided for reducing changes to the setting information by the computer. A management apparatus is provided for managing devices connected to a computer using a layered structure including a managing section for setting information associated with each of the devices by recording it in a setting information database using a layered structure; an adding section, if an existing device has been replaced by a new device for adding the setting information for the new device into the setting information database; a condition deciding section to determine whether the existing device and the new device have a predetermined relationship; and a changing section, if the existing device and the new device have the predetermined relationship, for managing the setting information for a low level device, which is a device managed as a lower layer of the existing device, as the lower layer of setting information for the new device and recording it in the setting information database.

Abstract: A method for docking/undocking a portable computer to/from an expansion unit is disclosed. The portable computer includes a main battery, and the expansion unit includes a second battery. In response to an eject event, the condition of the second battery is determined. If the second battery is in a discharging condition, a power supply route is switched from the second battery of the expansion unit to the main battery of the portable computer. If the second battery is in a charging condition, the charging condition is suspended. At this point, a hot undocking of the portable computer from the expansion unit can be performed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an input method using the pointing device in which the pointing device's ON operation causes an application to recognize that the state of the pointing device has transitioned to an ON state and the pointing device's OFF operation causes the application to recognize that the state of the pointing device has transitioned to an OFF state. The input method includes responding to the ON operation of the pointing device maintained in a certain period and bringing about a latch state in which the pointing device remains in the ON state for the application even if the OFF operation of the pointing device has taken place; and executing a program for informing a user that the latch state has been brought about.