Patent ID: 6832320
Filing Date: 2004-12-14
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
In a computer system containing a processor for executing instructions, a method comprising the steps ofinitializing the processor; reading an ownership tag to be displayed for identifying an owner or person authorized custody or allocation of the computer system; displaying the ownership tag on a display during execution of the step of initializing the processor; storing the ownership tag in a non-volatile memory in the computer system; receiving a command from a user to allow access to the nonvolatile storage device; determining whether the user has administrator authorization; when the user does not have administrator authorization, allowing the user to access a first region of the nonvolatile storage area, the first region having a first level of security and containing user-determined information, the information in the first region being user alterable and administrator-alterable; and when the user has administrator authorization, allowing the user to access a second region having a higher level of security containing administrator-determined information, the information in the second region being only administrator-alterable, the ownership tag being in the second region.