computer initialization

To start anew, which typically involves clearing all or some part of memory or disk.

Abstract:

An initialization data generator includes a task database in which task descriptions for initializing a computer are specified related with task IDs and an initialization database in which initialization data descriptions for initializing a computer are stored related with initialization data IDs. The initialization data generator takes input of the computer ID of a computer to be initialized and task data, reads task descriptions and initialization data descriptions according to task ordering related with the task data from the task database and the initialization database, based on the task IDs, task ordering, and the initialization data IDs for software modules which are loaded into the computer to be initialized by the tasks corresponding to the task IDs, specified in the task data, and generates and transfers initialization data to the computer to be initialized, thereby initializing the computer to be initialized.

Claims:

1. A computer initialization system comprising:an initialization data generator including a task database in which task descriptions for initializing a computer are specified related with task IDs, and an initialization database in which initialization data descriptions for initializing said computer are stored related with initialization data IDs;wherein said initialization data generator comprises: a data acquisition means which takes input of a computer ID for identifying said computer and task data for initialization of said computer, wherein said task data specifies said task IDs for identifying said task descriptions, task ordering for initialization task, and said initialization data IDs for identifying initialization data of initialization-software to be installed into said computer; andan initialization data generation means which reads said task descriptions and said initialization data descriptions from said task database and said initialization database according to said task ordering, by using said task IDs, said task ordering and said initialization data IDs, and generates said initialization data for initializing said computer according to said data descriptions.

2. The computer initialization system according to claim 1,wherein said initialization data generator further comprises an initialization data output means for transferring said initialization data generated by said initialization data generation means to said computer to be initialized.

3. The computer initialization system according to claim 1,wherein said initialization data generator further comprises a computer database for storing said computer ID and said task data related with each other, and a relating means for relates said computer ID and said task data acquired by said data acquisition means and stores them into said computer database.

4. The computer initialization system according to claim 2,wherein said initialization data output means is configured to outputs said initialization data to an initialization media which is connectable to said computer to be initialized.

5. The computer initialization system according to claim 1, further comprising:a wireless tag in which said computer ID and said task data are described; andan input device which reads said computer ID and said task data from said wireless tag to transmit them to said data acquisition means.

Description:

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001]The present application claims priority from Japanese application serial No. 2007-53859, filed on Mar. 5, 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002]The present invention relates to a computer initialization system and, particularly, relates to a computer initialization system for generating initialization data for automatic initialization of a computer, appropriately according to computer and software configurations required by users.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003]As methods for installing initialization-software into a computer to initialize the computer, for example, methods described in Japanese Patent No. 3173361 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H6(1994)-51958 are known. Japanese Patent No. 3173361 discloses a technique for installing software into a computer automatically via a network. According to this, an installation server is provided with a means for automatically generating unique parameters such as computer names corresponding to a plurality of computers to be initialized, by using their respective network addresses. Thereby, it is possible to reduce task time for installing respective initialization-software programs into a plurality of computers connected to a system.

[0004]Meanwhile, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H6(1994)-51958 discloses an installation media creating device for creating installation media having respective contents conforming to different users. This installation media creating device comprises an installation software storage means in which software to be installed is stored, an input means for inputting user-dependent data, a software generating means for changing installation software by user-dependent data and generating user-dependent installation software, and a media creating means for creating installation media based on user-dependent installation software generated by the software generating means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011]a computer initialization system according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: an initialization data generator including a task database in which task descriptions for initializing a computer are specified related with task IDs; and an initialization database in which initialization data descriptions for initializing the computer are stored related with initialization data IDs.

[0012]Further, the initialization data generator comprises: a data acquisition means which takes input of a computer ID for identifying the computer and task data for initialization of the computer, wherein the task data specifies the task IDs for identifying the task descriptions, task ordering for initialization task, and the initialization data IDs for identifying initialization data of initialization-software to be installed into the computer; and an initialization data generation means which reads the task descriptions and the initialization data descriptions from the task database and the initialization database according to the task ordering, by using the task IDs, the task ordering and the initialization data IDs, and generates the initialization data for initializing the computer according to the data descriptions.

[0013]That is, the initialization data generator includes the task database in which task descriptions for initializing a computer are specified related with the IDs (identification codes) of initialization tasks and the initialization database in which initialization data descriptions for initializing a computer are stored related with the IDs (identification codes) of initialization data for software. By inputting the computer ID of a computer to be initialized and task data in which the initialization data IDs for installation software modules, the task IDs, and task ordering are specified to the initialization data generator, it is possible to automatically initialize a computer having intended functions, flexibly catering differences among hardware configurations and software configurations among computers to be initialized and by convenient work. Thus, by only reading the computer ID identifying a computer and task data, initialization data appropriate for the computer ID can be generated. Generated initialization data can be transferred in a form allowing for initializing the computer to be initialized.

[0014]In this aspect, the initialization data generator may include an initialization data output means for transferring the initialization data generated by the initialization data generation means to the computer.

[0015]Further, a computer database may be provided in which the computer ID of the computer and the task data are related and stored. Also, the initialization data generator may lo include a relating means for relating the computer ID and the task data acquired by the target data acquisition means with each other to store them into the computer database.

[0016]Additionally, the initialization data output means may be configured to output the initialization data to an initialization media that is connectable to the computer.

[0017]Further, the computer initialization system may include a wireless tag in which the computer ID of the computer and the task data are described and an input device that reads the computer ID and the task data from the wireless tag and transmits them to the target data acquisition means.

[0018]In another aspect of the present invention, a computer initialization system may comprise: an ID input device for reading a computer ID for identifying a computer to be initialized and a task data for initialization of the computer. The task data specifies task IDs for identifying initialization-task descriptions, task ordering for initialization task, and initialization data IDs for identifying initialization data of initialization-software to be installed into the computer.

[0019]Further the system includes: a task database for specifying task descriptions for initializing the computer related with the task IDs; an initialization database for storing initialization data descriptions for initializing the computer related with the initialization data IDs; an initialization data generator which is connected to the input device via a communication means, reads the task descriptions and the initialization data descriptions from the task database and the initialization database according to the task ordering related with the task data, by using the computer ID and the task data which are input from the input device, and generates the initialization data for initializing the computer according to the data descriptions; and a media input device including an initialization media for connecting to the initialization data generator via a communication means to store the initialization data transferred from the initialization data generator, a memory for containing an initialization program for the computer, and a computer interface that, by request from the computer to be initialized, transfers the initialization program for reading the initialization data from the initialization media to the

FORMAL DISK
Learn how to initialize a disk.

Before you can use a new disk, you need to initialize (or format) it.

The hard disk inside your computer was initialized at the factory, so you will need to initialize it only if your hard disk is damaged and can't be repaired with Disk First Aid (or another disk repair program), or if you want to partition it.

Warning: Initializing a disk or hard drive erases all information on the disk or hard drive. Before initializing your disk, recover or back up all the information you can and copy it onto another disk.

Initializing a hard disk, cartridge, or optical disk

To initialize a hard disk, cartridge, or optical disk, use Drive Setup (inside the Utilities folder on your hard disk).

Tip: When you initialize a disk, the Format pop-up menu gives you choices that include Mac OS Standard (HFS) and Mac OS Extended (HFS Plus). Mac OS Standard format is compatible with all versions of the Mac OS; Mac OS Extended is compatible only with Mac OS 8.1 or later. If you format a hard disk with Mac OS Extended format, you can't use that disk with computers that use an earlier version of the Mac OS.

If your hard disk is not an Apple hard disk:
Use the disk utility software provided by the disk's manufacturer instead of Drive Setup.

Initializing a Zip or Jaz disk

To initialize a Zip or Jaz disk, use the Iomega Tools application (which is inside a folder within the Apple Extras folder on your hard disk) and choose the utility appropriate for the type of drive you're using, such as USB or SCSI.

If the Iomega Tools application won't open, make sure you have a Zip or Jaz drive connected to your computer. If a drive is not connected to the computer, the Tools program may display an error message stating that the wrong driver version is installed.

Initializing a DVD-RAM disc

To initialize a DVD-RAM disc, follow these steps:

1. Insert the disc into the DVD-RAM drive.
   
2. Open the Special menu and choose Erase Disk.
   
3. Select a format for the disc in the Format pop-up menu.