Volume boot record

Abstract: A method and system for network booting of clients linked to a network. The method includes receiving a boot request from a networked client device and determining a target. The target is determined for the client device and a boot volume is selected from a set of client image copies. Each client image copy is unique to a client device and is created using a snapshot of a base boot image with a virtual copy or reverse snapshot of the base image being stored for each client device. The method continues with logging the client into the target and providing direct access to the allocated client image copy. The client device remotely boots from the client boot volume(s) or blocks on a remote storage device. Each client image copy includes the base boot image and information specific to the client. The client information is updated with writes to automatically allocated client-specific blocks.

Abstract: A computer (1) has three modes of operation: normal, repair and switching. In the switching mode, user input makes the system switch (13, 19) to the repair mode. Switching can be logically or physically and can control different components of the system. The system reboots and automatically copies data from the template data store (14) to the data store (12) to be repaired. After repair, the user resets the switch (13, 19) and reboots in normal mode. User settings determine what actions are performed in the repair mode.

Abstract: A system and method for performing disk drive diagnostics and restoration using a host-inaccessible partition are disclosed. The system includes a disk drive including: a host-accessible user partition; a host-inaccessible hidden partition independent of the host-accessible user partition; and a disk controller. The user partition includes: a user partition address range; a host-selected operating system; and a host-selected master boot record. The host-inaccessible hidden partition includes: a hidden partition address range outside the user partition address range; diagnostic software for determining a condition of the computer system; and a drive-selected master boot record for waiting for a user input; if the user input is received within a predetermined time period: loading and executing the diagnostic software; and if the user input is not received within the predetermined time period: loading the host-selected master boot record; and loading and executing the host-selected operating system identified by the host-selected master boot record.

Abstract: A method for quickly booting a personal computer system using boot configuration information on memory and the attached devices that was created and saved in a hard disk at the preceding boot process. The method for a quick boot process includes the steps of performing a power-on self test POST) operation when a personal computer system is powered on or a reset button is pressed; performing a normal boot process after the POST operation; saving the contents of memory and the status of the attached devices to a hard disk; checking if a reboot is requested; restoring the saved boot configuration information from the hard disk, after POST is completed during the reboot process; checking whether or not an initial device configuration file and/or an automatic batch file were changed; and executing commands in the two files and saving a newly created boot configuration information to the hard disk for future boot. The personal computer system, may reboot quickly because of omission of execution of the initial device configuration filed and the automatic batch file.