Patent ID: 6636958
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A hard drive comprising:at least three partitions each comprising a pre-set allocation of disk space; means for connecting to components within a data processing system and for receiving an image file of an application to be loaded into at least a first partition of said three partitions, wherein said image file includes (1) files required for installation and execution of said application and, when said application requires a corresponding operating system (OS) to operate, (2) additional files for the corresponding OS; and logic that controls a dynamic sizing of said partitions during operation of said hard drive to accommodate installation of said application into said first partition when said application requires a larger amount of disk space than said pre-set allocation of disk space of said first partition, wherein said logic includes logic for: determining from parameters provided by said image file when said application requires more disk space than is available within said first partition; responsive to a determination that more disk space is required to install said application, by extending said first partition into a disk space of at least a second partition; and subsequently installing said new application into said first partition.