JPH11212839A - System and method for performing preparation processing of computer memory - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify preparation processing of hard disk and division process to be used by a computer. SOLUTION: A computer 10 operates an operation code and has, a processor 12 which can receive an external instruction, a storage device 16 such as a hard disk that can be accessed to by the processor 12 and a pair of operation codes for performing preparation processing of the storage device 16. This pair of operation codes characteristically decides a configuration of the storage device, receives at least one external instruction and includes an instruction for performing the preparation processing of the storage device by responding to the instruction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to computers and, more particularly, to systems and methods for partitioning and formatting one or more storage devices of a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When one or more memory devices, such as hard disks, are added to a computer system, the memory devices often require specific preparation. Such preparatory processes include, for example, partitioning the hard disk into logical areas simultaneously, whereby certain data or programs are separately stored and formatted as appropriate for the particular operating system. One common situation arises when new computers are manufactured that utilize Microsoft DOS or Windows operating systems, for example, sold by Microsoft Corporation of Redmont, Washington. During production, 1
The hard disk is divided into one or more sections such as a primary section in which a computer operating system and other application programs are stored, a utility section in which a utility or maintenance type program is stored, and an extended section. There must be. A similar situation occurs when a new hard disk is added to a computer system or an existing hard disk is reformatted. In other descriptions, the term "preparation process" includes both partitioning and appropriate formatting.

[0003]

The process of preparing one or more hard disks has a number of variations in it, allowing for a potential configuration of a number of hard disks. These variations are disk-defined, such as the size and number of hard disks, and system-defined, such as supporting a "disk abort" operation of pre-reserved space or separate storage by the utility partition. Or variations determined by the user, such as the choice of operating system or multiple compartments. A wide range of possible configurations is a problem for computer manufacturers, especially those who customize each computer for a particular user.

[0004] Typically, a merchant must monitor the process of preparing one or more hard disks and make a number of choices based on the aforementioned variations to produce the optimal configuration. However, it is desirable to simplify and / or automate this function in order to better streamline this process.

[0005]

Accordingly, a system and method for preparing a computer memory is provided by the present invention. In one embodiment, the computer includes a processor and computer memory, where the memory may be a hard disk. The processor can run the operating system code, receive external instructions, and access the hard disk. In operation, the processor runs a set of operation codes for preparing the hard disk. The code set prepares the hard disk according to the instructions for receiving external instructions, for determining the configuration of the hard disk, for generating the partition descriptor from the external instructions and / or configuration, and for the partition descriptor. Instructions for processing.

[0006] In one embodiment, external instructions are received from an instruction file, thereby providing instructions for managing the preparation process.

[0007] In another embodiment, external instructions are provided on the instruction line, thereby providing instructions for managing the preparation process.

The processing of the computer memory is simplified,
Or it is automated, thereby realizing the technical advantage of streamlining this process.

Another technical advantage is realized that the instructions can be modified to fit a particular form of computer memory.

[0010] A series of long instructions are placed in a single instruction file, thereby providing another technical advantage of simplifying input.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS "System a" filed on December 3, 1997
nd Method for Changing Partition Mappings to Logic
al. Drives in a Computer Memory, US Pat.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 designates a processor 12, a bank of random access memory (RAM) 14a and a read only memory (ROM) 14b, one or more hard disks represented by a hard disk 16, and a network. A computer having several components including an interface 18 is shown. Each component is
It can communicate with the processor 12, as represented schematically by the generic bus 20. In this embodiment, computer 10 is a personal computer running Microsoft DOS and / or Windows. It will be understood, however, that computer 10 and its illustrated components are merely exemplary of many different types of computers and components that are well known and understood by those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 2, hard disk 16 includes a master boot recorder 30 having a bootstrap code 32 and a master partition table 34. The master boot recording unit 30 includes normal code for booting up the computer 10, etc., and it is understood that this is well known in the art. Start part on hard disk 16
Associated with a termination 36 are both the total memory capacity of each hard disk. Hard disk 16
Also associated with is the capacity (not shown) as to whether the hard disk supports the BIOS extensions or certain required bus interfaces. There may be additional hard disks (not shown) similar or different from the physical structure.

Referring to FIG. 3, a method 100 for preparing the hard disk 16 of the computer 10 is shown. For illustrative purposes, the method 100 is performed by the processor 12, but may alternatively be performed by another device, such as a device connected through the network interface 18. A specific example of the operation of the method 100 is described below.

At step 110, processor 12 receives one or more instructions. Instructions provide guidance and instructions on how hard disk 16 should be prepared
Give to 100. Processor 12 may receive the instructions by reading instruction file 110a. Instruction file 1
10a is an ASCII text file containing instructions for the method 100 in the form of a specified scripting language. The instruction file 110a may be provided through the network interface 18 or the hard disk 16, for example. Alternatively, processor 12 may receive the instruction as instruction line parameter 110b. Command line parameters are provided to method 100 when method 100 is invoked.

These instructions include a boot record file specification (eg, the name of the file containing the master boot record section 30, the 16-bit file allocation table (“FAT16”) section boot record section and / or the FAT32 section boot record section). , File system type (eg FAT
16 and / or FAT32) and allow the user to fundamentally specify all characteristics of the hard disk preparation process, including partition size (eg, megabytes). Once the instructions have been prepared, no further user input is required.

At step 112, processor 12 checks whether the received instructions are consistent. That is, processor 12 checks the syntax of the instructions to make sure that the two instructions are not inconsistent. If the instructions are not consistent, processor 114 generates an error message at step 114.

At step 116, processor 12 determines the characteristics of hard disk 16. Continuing with the DOS / WINDOWS operating system example, processor 12 uses the BIOS calls and extensions to determine the actual number of disks (hard disks).
16 represents one or more hard disks), and determines the characteristics of the hard disk 16 including the parameters of each disk, the capacity of each disk, and the like. The parameters for each disk may include the number of cylinders, heads, and tracks. The capacity of each disk may include the level of BIOS support. Processor 12 stores the physical structure in RAM 14a.

The method 100 operates sequentially through each disk represented by the hard disk 16. Step 118
Then, the processor 12 determines whether the "next" disk is ready. If so, at step 120, processor 12 parses the characteristics of the disk and the instructions received for the disk, thereby generating one or more partition descriptors. The parsing defaults, or falls back to the descriptor, to adapt to the details of the preparation process that is not provided in the received descriptor or is not possible with the received descriptor. Other impossibility is considered as an error and notified to the user.

At step 122, the processor 12 processes the previously generated partition descriptor to
16 is prepared. In particular, processor 12 performs step 12
The bootstrap code 32 is provided according to the partition descriptor generated in step 0, and the master partition table 34 is prepared and written into the master boot recording unit 30.
Processor 12 also generates one or more partition boot records (not shown) with the appropriate file allocation table.

At the end of step 122 or at step 11
If a negative determination is made at 8, execution proceeds to step 124 where the processor 12 determines whether another disk needs to be prepared. If so, execution returns to step 118 to prepare the next disk. Otherwise, execution proceeds to step 126, where processor 12 reports the final logical form of hard disk 16.

For clarity, some examples of operations performed by the method 100 will be described. However, it will be appreciated that a number of different operations are anticipated, whereby these examples are not limiting in any way on the claims.

Example 1 Steps 110-112: The command "prepare hard disk and reserve 32 Mbytes" is received.

Steps 116-118: There is only one hard disk 16 having a capacity of 10 gigabytes.

Step 120: The capacity of the hard disk is sufficiently larger than the desired amount to be reserved. A partition descriptor is generated to match the received instruction.

Step 122: The master boot recording section 30 and the partition boot recording section are written, and 32 Mbytes are reserved near the terminal section 38 of the hard disk 16.

Example 2 Steps 110-112: "Preparing the hard disk,
Create 10 MB utility partition on second hard disk "is received.

Steps 116 to 118: There are two hard disks. The first hard disk has a capacity of 2 gigabytes.

Step 120: The capacity of the first hard disk exceeds a predetermined maximum upper limit for the primary partition. A partition descriptor is generated to match the received instruction.

Step 122: A master boot recording unit 30 and a boot recording unit for the primary partition are created on the first hard disk. A boot record for the expanded partition is also generated, and the expanded partition uses the remaining available capacity. A check is made as to whether the capacity of each partition is greater than a predetermined minimum lower limit.

Step 118: The second hard disk is 6
It has a gigabyte capacity.

Step 120: The capacity of the second hard disk is sufficiently larger than the desired amount required for the utility partition. A partition descriptor is generated to match the received instruction.

Step 122: master boot recording section 30
The primary partition boot recording unit and the utility partition boot recording unit are written to the second hard disk.

EXAMPLE 3 Steps 110-112: The command "prepare hard disk using default" is received.

Steps 116-118: There is only one hard disk 16 having a capacity of 10 gigabytes.

Step 120: Hard disk capacity is 1
The pre-defined maximum upper limit of the next section has been exceeded. A partition descriptor is generated to match the received instruction.

Step 122: A master boot recording unit 30 and a boot recording unit for the primary partition are generated. A boot record for the expanded partition is also generated, and the expanded partition uses the remaining available capacity. A check is made as to whether the capacity of each partition is greater than a predetermined minimum lower limit.

Example 4 Steps 110-112: The command "prepare hard disk and do not create extended partition" is received.

Steps 116 to 118: There is one hard disk 16 having a capacity of 2.1 gigabytes.

Step 120: Since no additional partitions are required, a single 2.0 gigabyte primary partition is created. A partition descriptor is generated to match the received instruction.

Step 122: A master boot recording unit 30 and a boot recording unit for the primary partition are generated. The remaining one
00 megabytes are left unformatted.

Example 5 Steps 110-112: The command "prepare hard disk and create extended partition" is received.

Steps 116 to 118: There is one hard disk 16 having a capacity of 2.1 gigabytes.

Step 120: Since an extended partition is requested and the minimum partition size is 500 megabytes,
A 1.6 gigabyte primary partition is created and a 500 megabyte extended partition is created. A partition descriptor is generated to match the received instruction.

Step 122: A master boot record 30 and two additional boot records are created, one of the two being the primary partition and the other of the extended partition.

Example 6 Steps 110-112: Two commands are received: "Set disk as network server" and "Create a 1.6 gigabyte primary partition".

Steps 116 to 118: There is one hard disk 16 having a capacity of 2.0 gigabytes.

Step 120: There is not enough disk space to accommodate both instructions because the network server requires an expanded partition of at least 500 megabytes. The 1.6 GB primary partition is 1.
Reduced to 5 GB. A partition descriptor is generated to match the received instruction.

Step 122: A master boot record 30 and two additional boot records are created, one of the two being the primary partition and the other of the extended partition.
Changes are reported.

EXAMPLE 7 Steps 110-112: The command "prepare hard disk with FAT32 partition" is received.

Steps 116-118: There is one hard disk 16 having a capacity of 1.8 gigabytes.

Step 120: There is not enough disk space to accommodate both instructions since the FAT32 partition requires at least 2.0 gigabytes. The primary partition is reduced to a 1.8 gigabyte FAT16 partition.
A partition descriptor is generated to match the received instruction.

Step 122: A boot recording section for the master boot recording section 30 and the FAT 16 is generated.

Having illustrated and described the exemplary embodiment,
Modifications, variations, and substitutions of the above description are intended, and some features present in certain instances will be used without corresponding use of other features. Further, additional features such as error handling routines may be added to the illustrated embodiment without changing the technical scope of the embodiment. Accordingly, the appended claims should be construed broadly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer for executing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a layout of a hard disk of the computer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a routine which is operated by the computer of FIG. 1 and prepares the hard disk of FIG. 2;

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (71) Applicant 597001637 One Dell Way, Round Rock, TX 78682-2244, United States of America

Claims (23)

[Claims] At least one processor capable of operating an operation code and receiving external instructions, one or more storage devices accessible by the processor, and a set for preparing the one or more storage devices. Wherein the set of operation codes determines a configuration of the one or more storage devices, receives at least one external command, and prepares the one or more storage devices in response to the command. A computer comprising instructions for processing. 2. The computer of claim 1, wherein the at least one instruction is received from a file containing additional instructions. 3. The computer of claim 1, wherein the processor receives at least one instruction via the instruction line. 4. The computer of claim 1, further comprising a network connection, wherein at least one instruction is received over the network connection. 5. The computer of claim 1, further comprising a floppy disk, wherein at least one instruction is received via the floppy disk. 6. The computer of claim 1, wherein at least one instruction defines a configuration of the one or more storage devices. 7. A method for receiving a plurality of instructions, determining a configuration of a storage device, comparing the instructions to the configuration, and if the comparison between the configuration and the instructions is acceptable, a partition description in response to the instructions. A method of preparing a storage device in a computer, comprising the steps of: creating a child and preparing the storage device according to a partition descriptor. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising generating a partition descriptor in response to the feature if the comparison between the feature and the instruction is not acceptable. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the instructions are received from a file.
The described method. 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the instructions are received from an operating system instruction line. 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the computer includes a network connection, and wherein the instructions are received over the network connection. 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the computer includes a floppy disk, and wherein the instructions are received via the floppy disk. 13. The method of claim 7, wherein the instructions define a partition configuration of the storage device. 14. A method for receiving a first instruction directed to a first storage device, determining a first configuration of the first storage device, comparing the first instruction with the first configuration, Generating a partition descriptor in response to the first instruction if the comparison between the first form and the first instruction is acceptable; and if the comparison between the first form and the first instruction is not acceptable. Generating a partition descriptor in response to the configuration, preparing the first storage device according to the partition descriptor, and repeating the above steps for the second instruction and the second storage device. A method for preparing two or more storage devices in a computer. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the instructions are received from a file. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the instructions are received from an operating system instruction line. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the computer includes a network connection, and wherein instructions are received over the network connection. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the computer includes a floppy disk, and wherein the instructions are received via the floppy disk. 19. A computer-readable recording medium, instructions for determining the form of a first hard disk recorded on the medium, instructions for receiving a first instruction stored on the medium, Instructions for generating a partition descriptor according to the form and instructions recorded on the medium, and instructions for recording the medium and responding to prepare the first hard disk using the partition descriptor. A program product for preparing one or more hard disks of a computer. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising instructions for reading the first instructions from the file, the instructions being recorded on a medium.
The described program product. 21. The program product of claim 20, wherein the computer includes a second hard disk, and the file includes second instructions for preparing the second hard disk. 22. The method of claim 1, further comprising instructions for reading the first instruction from the instruction line, recorded on the medium.
9. The program product according to item 9. 23. The program product of claim 19, further comprising instructions for reading the first instructions from a network connection, the instructions being recorded on a medium.