KR20120017885A - Method of multiple boot manager - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method of a multiple boot manager is provided to include a multiple boot manager and an address flag instructing a first partition or a second partition. CONSTITUTION: A partition for a multiple boot manager storing is defined(32). A computer is operated to load a first operating system(34). An operating system for implementing an application program under a first operating system condition is changed to change the address flag of the partition for the multiple boot manager(36). The first operating system is unloaded, and the multiple boot manager in the partition is loaded(38).

Description

Multiple boot manager method {METHOD OF MULTIPLE BOOT MANAGER}

The present invention relates to the manner of multiple boot managers, more particularly to defining partitions for multiple boot managers on a hard disk.

As far as the computer is configured with the X86 central processing unit (CPU), the normal boot procedure is to start the computer until the operating system (OS) is loaded.

The first process performed on a computer system compatible with an IBM PC is the Basic Input / Output System (BIOS) after switching on the computer. Indeed, the BIOS is stored in a read-only memory (ROM) on a motherboard or flash memory, which acts as a service program for the basic operation of a computer system. In general, software stored in hardware is called firmware. The firmware is beneficial for updating or restoring service programs stored in the memory by appropriate utility programs.

First, the BIOS performs a Power On Self Test (POST) to check the peripherals connected to the computer during normal operation. Thereafter, the BIOS retrieves the boot sector, causes the boot sector to be read on the software, and executes a command to load an operating system located in the software. If there is no operating system in the software, the BIOS reads the first sector on the hard disk known as the master boot record (MBR) to load the operating system located on the hard disk.

1 illustrates a typical hard disk partition, which is illustrative and not restrictive. Indeed, there are several definition modes of partitions on a hard disk. As shown in FIG. 1, the first sector on the hard disk is known as a master boot record (MBR) 15, with addresses at cylinder 0, head 0, sector 1. FIG. The hard disk may be divided into a plurality of partitions for loading various operating systems. The partition may be divided into first partitions 11 and 12 and extended partitions 13. Up to four first partitions are defined so far. In the case where there is an extended partition on the hard disk, the first partition is defined as a maximum of three. Even if there is only one extended partition, several logical partitions 131-133 may be defined to exist.

Data stored in the MBR 15 may be divided into three parts. One part of it is a boot partition loader (BPL) or pre-loader, pre-boot 151, for loading a boot sector into memory. The second part is partition data 152 for storing partition data on the hard disk, including a partition table for recording the conditions of the hard disk partition, such as the start address and volume of each partition. The third part is verification data 153 for verifying that the entire sector data of the MBR is correct.

For example, for booting a computer, first when the computer is switched on, the BIOS program is executed and the BIOS is loaded into memory. Thereafter, a power-on self test (POST) is performed to test the hardware on the computer, such as the CPU, motherboard, memory, and the like. The test results are output to a screen or copier and displayed. By POST, hardware and peripherals are tested for normal operation in subsequent boot procedures. If the BIOS is stored on another hardware device, such as a video graphics card (VGA), integrated device electronics (IDE), or serial advanced technology attachment (SATA), the BIOS program Is executed.

The BIOS executes a command to search for a boot sector for starting the computer and loads the boot sector in memory for starting the computer. As far as the hard disk is concerned, the MBR located in the first sector on the hard disk is read and loaded into memory. Control of program execution is transferred to the boot partition loader of the master boot record (MBR), which loads a partition comprised of boot flags into memory. Control of program execution is shifted to the boot sector of the partition with the boot flag. The boot sector contains a boot loader, which loads the operating system of the partition with the boot flag into memory for execution through guiding assist. The control of program execution is shifted to the operating system, whereby the booting procedure is completed.

A hard disk can be partitioned into multiple partitions with multiple operating systems loaded, but only partitions with boot flags are loaded into memory for execution. As a result, the normal booting procedures are linearly mutually exclusive, that is, only partitions with boot flags and OSs can be loaded immediately, and conversely, partitions without boot flags and OSs cannot be executed.

For multiple boot computers, software such as multiple boot managers are developed such that different OSs placed on multiple partitions can be managed and selectively loaded into memory for execution. Common multiple boot managers include SPF disks, GRUB, and LILO.

Since the MBR is the first sector loaded into memory for execution after the BIOS has been performed, most of the multiple boot managers are for modifying or modifying the MBR in which the multiple boot managers are installed. Thus, control of program execution is achieved by the MBR before the OS is loaded. An option to boot the computer is provided for the user to select a partition or operating system for booting the computer.

However, security issues arise when MBRs are inappropriately modified or modified. For example, sectors are easily infected with boot viruses or damaged to perform abnormal boot procedures. In addition, most multiple boot managers do not work and cannot be run again because control of program execution is shifted. When changing to a different OS, the computer must restart or complete the entire boot procedure, for example cold boot or hot boot. In other words, the boot procedure must be executed after the BIOS has loaded. Only when multiple boot managers have gained control of program execution, different OSs can be loaded arbitrarily into memory.

The present invention provides a scheme of multiple boot managers in a computer equipped with a BIOS and a storage medium. The storage medium is defined as a partition for the multiple boot manager, a first partition, and a second partition, where the partition for the multiple boot manager has multiple boot managers and an address flag indicating the first partition or the second partition. Included.

The multiple boot manager approach involves three steps: starting up the computer system, changing the operating system, and rebooting the computer system.

The first step of starting the computer includes the following steps: executing a BIOS program; BIOS loading the master boot record (MBR) into memory; Indicating a first partition according to a pre-boot partition specified by an address flag, MBR loading a partition for multiple boot managers into memory, and moving control of program execution to a partition for multiple boot managers; The partition for the multi-boot manager includes a multi-boot manager loaded in the first partition for execution, and the method further comprises: moving control of program execution to the first partition; The first partition includes a boot sector having a boot loader for loading a first operating system of the first partition into a memory, and shifts control of program execution to the first OS, thereby completing a booting procedure.

Changing the OS includes the following steps: running an application under the conditions of the first OS, and creating a conversational option interface for selection by the user; Changing an address flag of a partition for multiple boot managers to indicate a second partition according to a user's selection or operation.

Finally, rebooting the computer may include unloading the first OS; Load the master boot record (MBR); Load multiple boot managers located in a partition for multiple boot managers; Instruct a second partition according to the address flag of the partition for the middle boot manager and load multiple boot managers into the second partition; Loading a second OS located on the second partition. The step of loading the master boot record (MBR) may optionally be omitted.

1 illustrates typical hard disk partitions.
2 illustrates partitions of a hard disk according to the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a scheme of multiple boot managers.
4 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a scheme of multiple boot managers.
5 and 6 are flowcharts of steps for starting a computer in accordance with the present invention.
7 shows a flowchart of a reboot procedure in accordance with the present invention.
8 shows a flowchart of another embodiment for a reboot procedure in accordance with the present invention.

The present invention provides a scheme of multiple boot managers that can be applied to computers such as desktop computers or notebook computers that are set to multiple boot modes. The multiple boot method according to the present invention is for loading various arbitrary operating systems for selecting on / off the switch of a computer for the purpose of loading the selected operating system into memory.

2 illustrates a partition of a hard disk according to the present invention, which is merely illustrative and not limited, and there are actually several definition modes of partitions on the hard disk. The computer is equipped with a storage medium 2, preferably a hard disk. Storage medium 2 includes a master boot record (MBR) 25 located in a first sector whose addresses are cylinder 0, head 0, sector 1. Storage medium 2 comprises a partition for multiple boot managers 24 and a plurality of partitions 21-24, such as a plurality of primary partitions 21-22, which are at least a first partition 21 and a second partition 22. ). The primary partition is used for loading different operating systems, where the first partition 21 is loaded with the first OS and the second partition 22 is loaded with the second OS. Different OS according to the present invention may be used in different versions of Windows operating systems, for example Windows XP, Windows VISTA, Windows 7, or operating systems other than Windows operating systems, for example UNIX, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, or MAC OSX. It includes.

The partition for the multiple boot manager 24 according to the invention is an independent partition of the storage medium 2, which is the designated partition for the MBR 25 loaded in the memory. The partition for the multiple boot manager 24 includes the multiple boot manager 241, which is a program for controlling the booting of the computer, a partition table 242 for recording the address and volume of each partition, and a first partition to be loaded into the memory. And an address flag 243 for designating one partition between the 21 and the second partitions 22.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a scheme of multiple boot managers. The scheme described in this embodiment includes defining partitions of multiple boot managers in which multiple boot managers are stored (step 32); Starting the computer to load the first OS (step 34); Changing the OS to run an application to change an address flag of a partition for multiple boot managers under conditions of the first OS (step 36); Rebooting the computer to unload the first OS, load multiple boot managers, and load a second operating system according to the address flag (step 38).

4 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a scheme of multiple boot managers. First, a step of setting up a storage medium (step 42) is executed. The storage medium is defined as a partition for multiple boot managers, a first partition and a second partition, where the partition for multiple boot managers includes multiple boot managers and an address flag indicating the first or second partition.

Here, a flowchart of booting a computer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Performing startup of the computer (step 44) includes the following steps. The BIOS program is executed in response to a computer startup or power-on signal to obtain control of program execution (step 440). The BIOS performs a power-on self test (POST) to check the peripherals connected to the computer in normal operation. The BIOS then retrieves the boot sector to load the master boot record (MBR) located in memory on the hard disk addressed to cylinder 0, head 0, sector 1 (step 441). The BIOS transfers control of program execution to the master boot record (MBR) (step 442). The MBR loads a partition for multiple boot managers into memory (step 443) and moves control of program execution to a partition for multiple boot managers (step 444). Partitions for multiple boot managers include multiple boot managers and address flags. The multiple boot manager loads the first partition into memory according to an address flag indicating the first partition (step 445), and the partition for the multiple boot manager transfers control of program execution to the first partition (step 446). The first partition includes a boot sector having a boot loader for loading (step 447) a first OS located on the first partition into memory. The first partition transfers control of program execution to a first OS located on the first partition (step 448).

Next, a step of changing an operating system is executed, which includes the following steps: running an application under the conditions of the first OS, and a dialog comprising a plurality of naming options of different operating systems for selection by the user. Creating an option interface; The preferred interface is designed as a radio button option, where the name option of the first OS is disabled or inaccessible, or the name option of the first OS is not displayed. The application program changes the address flag of the partition for multiple boot managers according to the user's choice to obtain an address flag directed to the second partition for reference at the next boot. An application can communicate with multiple boot managers located on a partition for multiple boot managers or can instruct multiple boot managers to be activated.

With reference to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a reboot procedure according to the present invention. Steps in the reboot procedure include unloading the first OS (step 481) to securely and integrally ensure data retention. The reboot procedure does not mean restarting the computer, for example a subsequent boot procedure in which the BIOS program is omitted, but rather a hot start or cold start of the computer. The normal boot procedure, whether cold boot or hot boot, must load a BIOS program for execution, but the reboot procedure according to the present invention requires loading a non-BIOS master boot record (MBR) into memory (step 482), Transfer control of program execution to the MBR's boot partition loader. Thereafter, the MBR loads a partition for multiple boot managers into memory (step 483), and control of program execution is transferred to a partition for multiple boot managers including multiple boot managers. The multiple boot manager loads the second partition into memory according to an address flag indicating the second partition (step 485), and the partition for the multiple boot manager transfers control of program execution to the second partition. The second partition includes a boot sector having a boot loader for loading (step 487) a second OS located on the second partition into memory. The second partition transfers control of program execution to a second OS located on the second partition.

8 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a reboot procedure according to the present invention. This embodiment describes a reboot procedure with the BIOS program and master boot record (MBR) omitted. Reboot steps include: unloading the first operating system (step 481); Loading a partition into memory for multiple boot managers other than a BIOS program and a master boot record (MBR); Moving control of program execution to a partition for multiple boot managers; Thereafter, steps 485 and 487 are performed.

While the invention has been described in terms of these preferred embodiments, many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed below.

Claims (9)

Defining a partition for multiple boot managers in which multiple boot managers are stored;
Starting a computer to load a first operating system;
Changing an operating system for running an application under conditions of a first OS to change an address flag of a partition for multiple boot managers;
Unloading the first OS, loading multiple boot managers located in the partition for the multiple boot managers, and rebooting the computer to load the second OS according to the address flag. system. Setting up a storage medium defined as a partition, a first partition, and a second partition for the multiple boot manager including the multiple boot manager and an address flag indicating the first partition or the second partition;
Starting a computer to load a first operating system;
Run the application under conditions of the first OS and generate a conversation option interface for selection by the user; Altering an operating system comprising changing an address flag of a partition for multiple boot managers to indicate a second partition according to a user's selection or operation; And
Unloading the first OS; Load partitions for multiple boot managers; Indicate a second partition according to an address flag of a partition for multiple boot managers and load multiple boot managers into the second partition; Rebooting the computer comprising loading a second OS located on the second partition. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein starting the computer comprises: executing a BIOS program; BIOS loading the master boot record (MBR); MBR load partitions for multiple boot managers; Load a first partition according to an address flag of a partition for multiple boot managers; And loading the first OS located on the first partition. 4. The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein starting the computer further comprises: moving control of program execution from the BIOS to the MBR; Move control of program execution from the MBR to the partition for multiple boot managers; Move control of program execution from a partition for multiple boot managers to a first partition; And further including transferring control of program execution from the first partition to the first OS. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein in the step of rebooting the computer, the second partition further comprises a boot loader for loading a second OS into the second partition. 3. The radio button option of claim 2, wherein in the step of changing the operating system, the conversation option interface comprises a plurality of name options of different operating systems having a first name option that is inaccessible. Multiple boot manager schemes designed as radio button options. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the application program aims to change an address flag of a partition for the multiple boot manager to point to the first partition or the second partition. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein rebooting the computer further comprises loading a master boot record (MBR). 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the storage medium comprises a plurality of hard disks with one or more partitions defined, and a partition for the multiple boot manager is defined on one of the hard disks.

Images