International Business Machines Corporation

Robin Daniel Roberts

Leonard George Jesionowski

Brian Gerard Goodman

Brian Gerald Goodman

Michael Philip McIntosh

Ronald Faye Hill, Jr

Aaron Roger Cox

Richard Albert Welp

Raymond Yardy

Kamal Emile Dimitri

Andrew Gary Hourselt

Joni E Saylor

Arthur John Colvig

Kerri Renee Shotwell

Louis Daniel Echevarria

Timothy Keith Pierce

Benjamin S Terris

Robert LaMar Bingham

Jeremy Andrew Cohn

David John Butka

Daniel Scott Moore

Hector E Mery

Krista Elizabeth Nunn

Jonathan Douglas Beard

A method to provide problem-based access to a computing device is disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the invention, such a method includes detecting a problem on a computing device. The method automatically generates a user account on the computing device in response to detecting the problem. The problem is then tied to the user account. A support provider is then notified of the problem and the user account associated with the problem. This user account may be assigned to a service technician to enable access to the computing device. The service technician may then log into the computing device using the user account and address the problem. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed herein.

Problem-based account generation

To log errors of a plurality of subsystems, a master reporting tool provides a table identifying the subsystems and their interface protocol addresses with respect to a network. A subsystem reports errors, via the network, to the master reporting tool, and the reporting subsystem identifies and reports other subsystems associated with the errors, if any, to the master reporting tool. The master reporting tool employs the interface addresses of the table to request reportable data from the other subsystems identified by the originally reporting subsystem as associated with the reported error. The network may be separate from a data handling network of the data handling system.

Multiple subsystem error reporting

A system and method for generating access authorization in a secure manner. After establishing data communications, a product and product center exchange unique information for the independent generation of a valid access authorization by both the product and product center. The access authorization then allows a computer system associated with the product center to access the product for testing, diagnostics, etc. An added security feature invalidates the access authorization after a predetermined time period.

Automatic password configuration during error reporting

A combined media holder and storage device including an outer frame section and an inner media support section. The outer frame section is adapted to be removably mounted to a media library. The media library includes a drive to read and write information on media, a mover to move the media to and from the drive, and a plurality of magazine receiving areas. The outer frame section is adapted to be removably inserted into one of the magazine receiving areas. The inner media support section includes a plurality of media receiving areas adapted to receive and separately individually support a plurality of pieces of recording media. The combined media holder and storage device has a substantially open front end and is closed except at the substantially open front end. The outer frame section is adapted to receive a cover for closing the substantially open front end.

Combined media library cell array and storage device utilizing a media holder adapted to receive a cover for closing the holder

A method to activate a code update in a data storage drive. The method provides a code update to the data storage drive while the data storage drive performs normal drive operations. The method then detects a host computer transparent event, and activates the code update during that host computer transparent event.

Apparatus and method to activate transparent data storage drive firmware updates

An automated data storage library accesses data storage media from storage shelves in response to commands from an external host. The library receives and activates a firmware update in a processor node and determines whether a library door has been opened and/or closed during the code activation. Only if a library door has been opened and/or closed will an inventory of the storage media be performed.

Method and apparatus for managing inventory and door status during firmware update of an automated data storage library

Provided is a method, system, and program for selecting a code image to execute. Multiple copies of a code image are maintained in a non-volatile memory device. A first operation routine is executed. A first counter is incremented if the first operation routine succeeds. A second operation routine is executed and a second counter is incremented if the second operation routine succeeds. The first and second counters are used to select one of the code images from the memory device to execute.

System and method using a first counter and a second counter to select a code image during a reboot routine

An apparatus, system and method for testing a peripheral device such that the device can remain installed in a housing and connected to a communication bus such as a SCSI bus. The apparatus, system, and method include a communication port that is connectable to a peripheral device connected to a terminated communication bus. The communication port is connected to a first transceiver and a second transceiver. A microcontroller is also connected to the first transceiver and the second transceiver. The microcontroller is programmed to detect an operation mode for the peripheral device and selectively activate the first transceiver or the second transceiver based on the detected operation mode. The microcontroller is further programmed to perform a logical diagnostic test on the peripheral device using the activated transceiver. A user interface is included to communicate to a user a result of the diagnostic test.

Multi-mode SCSI diagnostic tool, system, and method

Failure isolation in a distributed processing system of processor nodes coupled by a multi-drop bus network. The processor nodes have information of relative locations of the processor nodes on the network, and have an associated local error indicator, such as a character display. Each node independently tests access to other nodes on the network, and upon detecting a failure to access one or more nodes, determines, from the relative locations, the node having failed access which is closest. The failure detecting processor posts, at its associated local error indicator, an identifier of the closest failed access node. A user may inspect the local error indicators and thereby isolate the detected failure.

Failure isolation in a distributed processing system employing relative location information

An accessor moveably disposed within a data storage and retrieval system which includes at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter and at least one electromagnetic radiation detector, where each emitter/detector combination have a facing relationship. A data storage and retrieval system which includes one or more of Applicants' accessors moveably disposed therein. A method using Applicants' accessor to assist the inventory of Applicants' data storage and retrieval system. A method to prevent collisions between Applicants' accessor and one or more portable data storage cartridges improperly stored within Applicants' data storage and retrieval system. A method using Applicants' accessor to monitor the insertion and/or retrieval of a portable data storage cartridge from a storage slot, a data storage device, an import/export station, and the like. A data storage and retrieval system comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein for implementing Applicants' methods.

Vertical and horizontal path sensing within a data storage and retrieval system

An automated data storage library accesses data storage media from storage shelves in response to commands from external host(s). The library receives a code update image while continuing to operate. The library is operated to an off-line status at external interface(s) that permit communication with the host(s). Then, and after the image is stored in nonvolatile memory, the processor(s) are reset, thereby activating the code update image, the processor(s) subsequently coming up from the reset to an operational state. Then, the library goes to an on-line status at the external interface(s).

Transparent code update in an automated data storage library

A power management system and method for multiple redundant power supplies. The present invention provides management and control of N&plus;M power supplies, where N represents the minimum number of power supplies required and where M is the number of redundant power supplies (M>1), where any one of the power supplies may be capable of supplying power to all the loads of the power subsystems. In the preferred embodiment each power subsystem includes a power supply and a controller coupled to a power bus. A communication bus is provided common to each power subsystem. During reset or power-on periods, the controllers are programmed to uniquely delay the start time of each power supply, thereby protecting against an overcurrent/overvoltage condition on the power bus during reset periods. A master controller is provided to monitor normal operating conditions of the power subsystems and communication bus. The master controller is programmed to ensure that a predetermined number of power supplies are coupled to the power bus, even in the event of total or partial communication failure.

Autonomic control of power subsystems in a redundant power system

Verification of a primary or backup copy of vital information of a processing system employs a pseudo-fixed reference identifier, defined as an identifier unlikely to change over the life of the system, and controls which copy of vital information is correct. The primary copy of vital information is associated with a copy of the pseudo-fixed reference identifier and a backup copy of the vital information is associated with a copy of the pseudo-fixed reference identifier. A processor, when triggered, reads the pseudo-fixed reference identifier, compares it to the stored copies of the identifier of the primary and backup non-volatile storage. ( ) If the read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches the primary copy of the identifier, the processor indicates the vital information is valid. ( ) If the read pseudo-fixed reference identifier matches the backup only, indicating that the backup copy of vital information is to be restore copied to become the primary copy.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Robin Daniel Roberts