Patent ID: 7395421
Filing Date: 2008-07-01
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer system comprising: a first memory subsystem to store a full operating system (OS) and a mini operating system; a mechanical switch having a first state and a second state; a first circuit to execute a boot code and to determine a state of the mechanical switch at power-on; and a second circuit to boot the full OS as a primary OS of the computer system if the first circuit determines that the mechanical switch is in the first state at power-on and to boot the mini OS as the primary OS of the computer system if the first circuit determines that the mechanical switch is in the second state at power on, wherein the mechanical switch has a third and a fourth state, the second circuit to boot the full OS as the primary OS of the computer system and to make the full OS the default OS if the first circuit determines that the mechanical switch is in the third state at power-on, and to boot the mini OS as the primary OS of the computer system and to make the mini OS the default OS if the first circuit determines that the mechanical switch is in the fourth state at power-on, and wherein the mechanical switch has a fifth state, the second circuit to boot the default OS as the primary OS of the computer system if the first circuit determines that the mechanical switch is in the fifth state at power-on, the default OS being either the full OS or the mini OS based on user-defined setting in the computer system.