Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Roberta W Hensley

Curtis R Jones

Kerry B Vander Kamp

Richard F Roesler

Barry Donald Adkins

Matthew Damian Cook

Erik Stefan Peterson

James Michael Parks

A computer system capable of booting currently manufacturable CD-ROMs or tapes without altering the ISO standard or requiring special, customized software to perform this function. A CD-ROM developed for booting according to the present invention contains a boot record as defined by the ISO but located at the end of the defined system area. The operating code of the computer scans for a boot record starting at the beginning sector of the CD-ROM and ending at either a default number or the volume descriptor terminator. The floppy disk boot images are contained at the end of the primary volume space and incorporated in the primary volume space, not external to the primary volume space as in the ISO standard. Boot code contained in the boot record determines the size of the volume, and the proper floppy image to be used and then the actual location of the floppy image. Booting of the system then commences using the floppy image.

Computer system capable of booting from CD-ROM and tape

An automated system for facilitating creation of a compatible rack-mountable component personal computer. The system comprises: (1) data storage circuitry for containing a database of component data, the component data including a list of alternative computer components and a group of computer component characteristics associated with each of the alternative computer components, (2) data display circuitry for displaying graphical representations, on an associated display device, of multiple portions of the component data to a user, (3) data input circuitry for accepting user selection data from the user, the user selection data including chosen ones of the list of alternative computer components, the user providing the user selection data by manipulating the graphical representations on the display device and (4) data processing circuitry for evaluating a compatibility of the chosen ones of the list of alternative computer components, the evaluating means employing the associated group of computer component characteristics to determine the compatibility, the chosen ones of the list of alternative computer components forming a portion of computer configuration data, the data display circuitry capable of displaying the computer configuration data to the user.

Automated system for facilitating creation of a rack-mountable component

Scanning initial CD-ROM sectors for a boot record and executing said

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Roberta W Hensley