Abstract:
A manufacturer installs software by first partitioning storage media of the computing system into a first partition and a second partition. The manufacturer installs software bundles Into the second partition. Each software bundle is stored in form as an image. The manufacturer also installs bootable software and a user interface into the first partition. The bootable software and the user interface when run, operate to receive from a user a selection as to which of the software bundles to install in the computing system. The software bundle selected by the user is installed into the first partition while overwriting the bootable software and the user interface. After installation of the software bundle selected by the user, the bootable software, for example, can erase the installation software bundles in the second partition. This is done, for example, by overwriting the second partition with a blank file system.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention concerns efficient data transfer and pertains particularly to efficient data transfer during computing system manufacturing and installation. 
     During the manufacture of a computing system, computer software is often pre-loaded into a storage device of the computer. For example the software is loaded into a hard disk storage device. 
     Downloading data into a storage device can take a significant amount of time. For example, currently 600 megabytes or more of software may be loaded into a typical computing system and the trend is towards an increasing amount of software. Using local area network (LAN) based data transfer, it can take a significant amount of time to download and install the necessary files into a computing system. 
     Increasingly, to limit the amount of time required to prepare a computing system, image-based data transfer is used. In image-based data transfer, individual files are ignored. Instead, the entire contents of a storage medium (such as a floppy disk, a CD ROM, a hard disk or a hard disk partition) is overwritten with an image. The image is taken after the operating system and other software have been installed on the system. 
     For example, Norton Ghost, available from Symantec Corporation having a business address of 10201 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, Calif. 95014-2128, creates an exact image of a hard disk. This is effectively a “snapshot” of all the files of the hard disk, even those that are hidden. These files include all the files that together set out the operating system, applications, and configuration settings. The snap shot image can be transferred to any other hard drive (or partition of a hard drive), CD ROM or other storage device. This allows simple creation of completely identical software installations. Copying in this way to computing systems can reduce the time required for operating system setup of each computing system by 90% or more. 
     One problem with using image-based data transfer is that updating even one file requires regeneration of the entire image. This can be a problem when the manufacturing site where software is installed is geographically distant from the location where software development occurs. For example, retransmission of 500 megabytes over thousands of miles can be both time-consuming as well as introducing uncertainty as to data integrity after the transfer. 
     Additionally, image-based data transfer significantly limits flexibility in varying the contents of installed software. A user may desire a computer installed with applications software that is targeted towards a particular use. Additionally, operating system software installed on a computing system may require different sets of hardware drivers depending upon the hardware within the computing system. Image-based data transfer allows very little flexibility in installing software for a variety of uses. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention software installation is performed into computing systems. Software to be installed is transferred from a software provider to a manufacturer. The operating system software is transferred in image-based format. Hardware specific software is transferred in file-based format. The manufacturer installs the software into the computing systems. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the operating system software is installed into the computing systems using image-based format data transfer. The hardware specific software is installed into the computing systems using file-based format data transfer. For example, application software is included in an image that includes the operating system software, or is transferred along with the hardware specific software. 
     In various embodiments of the invention, multiple operating system software bundles are transferred to the manufacturer. Each multiple operating system software bundle is, for example, in image-based format. Multiple hardware specific software bundles also can be transferred to the manufacturer. The manufacturer selects which of the multiple operating system bundles and which of the hardware specific software bundles to install into each computing system. The manufacturer installs the selected software bundles into the computing systems. In these embodiments of the invention, the multiple hardware specific bundles may be transferred, for example, in file-based format. Also, multiple application software bundles can be transferred to the manufacturer. The manufacturer, for example, selects which of the multiple application software bundles to install into each computing system. 
     In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the manufacturer installs software by first partitioning storage media of the computing system into a first partition and a second partition. The manufacturer installs software bundles into the second partition. Each software bundle is stored in form as an image. The manufacturer also installs bootable software and a user interface into the first partition. The bootable software and the user interface, when run, operate to receive from a user a selection as to which of the software bundles to install in the computing system. The software bundle selected by the user is installed into the first partition while overwriting the bootable software and the user interface. After installation of the software bundle selected by the user, the bootable software, for example, erases the installation software bundles in the second partition. This is done, for example, by overwriting the second partition with a blank file system. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a software provider generating software for computing systems at a location geographically distant from the location a manufacturer install software. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a manufacturer having the ability to select multiple images to create installed software with versatility to accommodate installation of various operating systems, marketing segment software and platform specific software in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a flowchart that describes manufacture and use of a computing system that allows efficient installation and versatile installation by a user of desired software in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates memory organization of a storage device within a computing system that allows efficient and versatile installation of user desired software in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a software provider  11  generating and maintaining software for inclusion in computing systems. For example, the software includes operating system software  12 , hardware specific software  13  and application software  14 . 
     For example, operating system software  12  is Windows 98 operating system software, Windows 2000 operating system software, Windows NT operating system software or the Millennium operating system software, all available from Microsoft Corporation, having a business address of One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Wash. 98052. Alternatively, operating system software  12  is Linux, UNIX or any other available operating system. 
     For example, hardware specific software  13  includes software drivers for specific hardware platforms. In the preferred embodiment the different hardware platforms are various notebook computers available from Hewlett-Packard Company, having a business address of 3000 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, Calif., 94304. 
     For example, application software  14  are particular bundles of software application. For example, a first software bundle is for sales at retail outlets. A second software bundle is for sales to small and medium sized businesses. A third software bundle is for large businesses. 
     Software provider  11  is shown to be at a location geographically distance from a manufacturer  16  that performs the actual installation of software into computing systems represented by a notebook computer  17  and a desktop tower system  18 . What is meant by software provider  11  is the entity that selects software to be installed on computing systems and provides the software to manufacturer  16 . 
     Software provider  11  communicates to manufacturer  16  through a communication network  15 . Communication network  15  is, for example, a private network, the phone system, the internet, or some other type of communication network. 
     Manufacturer  16  loads software into hard drives for the computing systems. This is done, for example using a hybrid approach where both image-based copying techniques and file-based copying techniques are utilized. Manufacturer  16  receives the images and files to be placed on the computing systems from software provider  11  through network  15 , or by some other means. 
     For example, manufacturer  16  receives from software provider  11  an image for operating system software  12 . Manufacturer  16  receives from software provider  11  files for hardware specific software  13 . Hardware specific software  13  are smaller and less static components to be installed on the computing systems. When data within the files of hardware specific software  13  is changed, only the specific files need to be re-transferred from software provider  11  to manufacturer  16 . Depending on the size and stability of application software  14 , application software  14  can be combined with operating system software  12  in the image sent from software provider  11  to manufacturer  16  or can be sent from software provider  11  to manufacturer  16  in a file-based data transfer. 
     The hybrid approach described above allows for quick implementation of changes by software provider  11  while minimizing the impact of software download times from software provider  11  to manufacturer  16  and by manufacturer  16  into the computing systems. 
     In the above-described hybrid approach, it is not necessary for the manufacturer to do any manipulation of software files or images. The images and files are received from software provider  11  and downloaded into the computing systems. However there are circumstances where it is desirable for manufacturer  16  to have a limited amount of flexibility in arranging software before downloading software into the computing systems. For example, if a large order comes in from a non-targeted market segment, flexibility may be needed by manufacturer  16  to quickly fill the order. 
     In this case, one solution is to give manufacture  16  limited flexibility to build to customer order (BTCO). This is done, for example, by transferring to manufacturer  16  from software provider  11  image based (inert) packages for different operating systems. For example, manufacturer  16  stores inert packages for a first operating system  21 , a second operating system  22 , a third operating system  23  and a fourth operating system  24 . 
     For example, operating system software  21 , is Windows 98 operating system software available from Microsoft Corporation. Operating system software  22 , is Windows 2000 operating system software available from Microsoft Corporation. Operating system software  23 , is Windows NT operating system software available from Microsoft Corporation. Operating system software  24 , is the Millennium operating system software available from Microsoft Corporation. 
     Manufacturer  16  also stores inert packages or file based packages for first hardware specific software  25 , second hardware specific software  26 , third hardware specific software  27  and fourth hardware specific software  28 . For example, hardware specific software  25 , hardware specific software  26 , hardware specific software  27  and hardware specific software  28  include software drivers for various notebook computers available from Hewlett-Packard Company. 
     Manufacturer  16  additionally stores inert packages or file based packages for first application software  29 , second application software  30  and third application software  31 . For example, application software  29  is a software bundle for sales at retail outlets. Application software  30  is a software bundle for small and medium sized businesses. Application software  31  is a software bundle for large businesses. 
     When manufacturer  16  receives a build to customer order, manufacturer selects an operating system, hardware specific software and application software that fits the installation to be performed. When only the operating system software is image based, the operating system image is first copied onto a computing system. Then the individual files for the hardware specific software and/or the application software are downloaded to the computing system. 
     When the hardware specific software and/or the application software is image based, image for the operating system image is combined with the image(s) for the hardware specific software and/or the application software before or during downloading to the computing system. 
     Allowing manufacturer  16  the limited flexibility to fulfill build to customer orders allows manufacturer  16  a limited amount of flexibility without requiring a great deal of infrastructure or sophistication. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, multiple operating systems and/or application packages can be loaded into a computing system before shipment. At a first use, the user (customer) is allowed to select the desired configuration. This can be a particularly efficient way to, for example, allow a user to select a particular language (e.g., U.S. English or U.K. English) edition of an operating system. 
     FIG. 3 is a flowchart that describes manufacture and use of a computing system that allows efficient installation and versatile installation by a user of desired software in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated by a step  51 , manufacturer  16  creates two partitions on the hard drive of the computing system into which installation is to take place. For example, the computing system is notebook computer  17  shown in FIG.  1 . The first partition is, for example, partition C and the second partition is, for example, partition D. 
     As illustrated by a step  52 , manufacturer  16  loads the first partition (partition C) with bootable files and a graphical user interface (GUI) application. The bootable files and the graphical user interface get loaded to RAMDISK at boot time. Images selectable by the user are loaded into the second partition (partition D). 
     The resulting partitioning of disk drive memory  40  of notebook computer  17  is shown in FIG.  2 . Software  41 , including bootable software and a graphics user interface, is loaded into partition C. Various software images are loaded into partition D. For example, an image  42 , an image  43 , an image  44  and an image  45  are shown. Each image includes, for example, operating system software, hardware specific software and application software. 
     Notebook computer  17  is then shipped to a customer. In a step  53 , the customer boots the system for the first time. In a step  54 , notebook computer  17  loads a RAM disk  54  with the bootable files and the graphical user interface. In a step  55 , notebook computer  17  receives the customer&#39;s instructions as to which operating system/application bundle is to be loaded onto notebook computer  17 . In a step  56 , notebook computer  17  overwrites the first partition (partition C) with the operating system/application bundle selected by the customer. In a step  57 , notebook computer  17  overwrites the second partition (partition D) with a file system. For example, the file system is a blank fat  32  file system or a Windows NT file system (NTFS) a UNIX file system, or the file system for some other operating system. This leaves the customer with a fresh software load on the C partition and a clean D partition for user space. 
     One advantage of this method of installing a user selected operating system is that at the end of installation, partition C is not fragmented as generally results when for other types of dual language/dual operating system loads are performed. Also this process gives almost unlimited flexibility for the number of images that can be supported on the hard disk, limited only by the size of the D partition. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the user can be given additional flexibility to make selections. For example, manufacturer  16  can include additional applications in file based format. Any applications selected by the user can then be installed in remaining space of partition C after the image containing the selected operating system has been installed. Also, existing files can be updated and any unwanted files can be deleted. 
     Alternatively, rather than partitioning a hard drive, multiple images are stored on a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) or a digital video disc (DVD). A user selects which image to install on a computing system. 
     The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary methods and embodiments of the present invention. As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.