Technologies are described which permit kernel updates or firmware fixes, and include re-initialization of kernel data structures, without losing user context information that has been created by services, virtual machines, or user applications. Tailored code in a server or other computing system sets a kernel soft reset (KSR) indicator and saves the user context to non-volatile storage. When a KSR is underway, boot code skips the power on self-test and similar initializations (thereby reducing downtime), loads a kernel image, initializes kernel data structures, restores the user context, and passes control to the initialized kernel to continue computing system operation with the same user context. Device drivers may also be re-initialized. The loaded kernel may use newly fixed firmware, or may have a security patch installed, for instance. The non-volatile storage may operate at RAM speed, e.g., it may include NVDIMM memory. The kernel may be validated before receiving control.

One embodiment provides a computer implemented method for installing an operating system (OS) using a dual-flash device. The method includes burning an OS version to the dual-flash device located on a server. The method also includes setting BIOS to boot the server from the dual-flash device; triggering installation of the OS version on the server from the dual-flash device; and setting BIOS to boot from a hard disk of the server after installation of the OS version.

A multi-boot device capable of booting from a plurality of boot devices, each storing a boot image. The multi-boot device determines which boot device to load based on sequence numbers assigned to each of the boot devices. Some embodiments will make this determination using only hardware operations. The multi-boot device compares the sequence numbers of the available boot devices in order to determine the boot image to be loaded. The address of the selected boot image is then mapped to the device's default boot vector. The remaining images are likewise mapped to a secondary boot memory. The device then boots from the default boot vector. The user can change the boot device to be loaded by modifying one or more of the boot sequence numbers. The boot images can be updated without resetting the device by switching execution to and from boot images in the secondary boot memory.

Systems and methods for providing pre-boot providing pre-boot self-healing and adaptive fault isolation. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) includes a processor and a Basic I/O System (BIOS) coupled to the processor, the BIOS firmware having program instructions that, upon execution by the processor, cause the IHS to: initiate the booting of devices within the IHS following a predetermined boot order, wherein the predetermined boot order includes a first device followed by a second device; determine that the first device has been marked for bypass; bypass the booting of the first device; and boot the second device.

An electronic interaction device may include: a user interface configured to receive interaction requests by a user; a first data storage medium storing a first operating system; a second data storage medium storing a second operating system; a memory storing instructions; and a control unit including a processor. The control unit may be configured to: load the first operating system in response to the electronic interaction device being powered on; communicate with a remote server via a secure communications channel; transmit a status of the first operating system to the remote server via the secure communications channel; receive a boot instruction from the remote server via the secure communications channel; and in response to the boot instruction, load the second operating system.

In one embodiment, a method for validating a partition of a device communicably coupled to an information handling system includes: determining platform attributes associated with the information handling system; identifying a platform key associated with the information handling system; generating a trusted platform key for the information handling system based on the platform attributes and the platform key; determining partition attributes associated with the partition of the device; generating a storage root key for the partition of the device based on the partition attributes and the trusted platform key; generating a trusted boot signature for the partition of the device based on the trusted platform key and the storage root key; and storing the trusted boot signature in the partition of the device to validate the partition.

The present invention relates to a method and system for installing software onto a client in the NIM environment and corresponding client. Said method includes: initializing said client, wherein a virtual mapping device associated with a memory driver of the client is created, the virtual mapping device for scheduling between the client's memory driver and the remote NIM server with respect to the I/O operation for running the software so as to direct the I/O operation for running said software to the client's memory driver or the remote NIM server; running said software on the client; acquiring the resources desired for running software; and conducting data migration operation from the NIM server to the client while running said software, wherein the migrated data is the resource data obtained from NIM server and desired for installing said software; and the software installation being completed when all the data desired for installing said software are migrated to the memory driver of the client. It is unnecessary for the present invention to copy all the installation images to the local client before installing software, therefore time delay of installing OSs or application programs can be shortened or even eliminated.

All in one mobile computing devices and methods performed by the devices. The all in one mobile computing device includes a processor, memory, and software instructions configured to be executed on the processor to enable the mobile computing device to perform various operations. The all in one device may include various wired and wireless interfaces that enable it to communicate with a wide-range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, personal computers, smart TVs, and others. The all in one device is capable of being remotely accessed when linked in communication with a second device, and is enabled to aggregate data from various user devices and cloud-based services to create unified data resources. Data that is accessed by the device may be synched with a cloud-based storage service to enable a user to access data from across a range of devices via the all in one device. The all in one device has a form factor that is approximately the size of a credit card, yet is capable of running a full-fledged desktop operating system.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a management device. The management device initiates a first booting process of a program from a first image stored at a primary storage device of the management device. The management device re-initiates the first booting process from the first image when the first booting process is not successful and a number of re-initiation is less than a predetermined number. The management device locates a second image of the program from a secondary storage device when the first booting process is not successful and the number of re-initiation is greater than or equal to the predetermined number. The management device initiates a second booting process of the program from the second image subsequent to the locating the second image.

The present disclosure provides an information processing apparatus effective in detecting an unauthorized use or misuse of the information processing apparatus from when the OS is shut down to when the OS is started. An information processing apparatus controlled by an operating system comprises: an operation history generating section which creates an operation history of the information processing apparatus after the operating system is shut down before the operating system is started; and a storage unit which stores information including the created operation history.