Patent ID: 7437607

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a processor, the processor being configured to perform a method, the method comprising: retrieving a hidden code stored in the apparatus, wherein the hidden code is not viewable by the end user of the apparatus, retrieving a passcode algorithm for calculating a passcode from the apparatus from a plurality of algorithms, calculating the passcode based on the hidden code with the passcode algorithm, receiving a series of button presses from a game controller coupled to the apparatus, determining whether the series of button presses matches the passcode, and resetting the apparatus to a factory default state if the series of button presses matches the passcode; a storage device coupled to the processor, the storage device being configured to store the hidden code associated with the apparatus; and a hard disk drive coupled to the processor, the hard disk drive being configured to store various data associated with the apparatus, wherein the hard disk drive comprises a first partition that is cleared during a system reset operation and a second partition that is not cleared during the system reset operation.