Patent ID: 7447892

Claim:
An operating system activation key embedding handling method for use on a computer platform of the type having a startup control unit and a system control unit for providing the computer platform with an operating system activation key embedding handling function, which comprises: in a pre-manufacture stage, defining an activation-key storage area in the startup control unit; and storing a set of activation key access commands, including an activation-key read command and an activation-key write command, in a memory area associated with the system control unit; in a manufacture stage, responding to a manufacturer operated activation-key setting event during manufacture of the computer platform by executing the activation-key write command stored in the associated memory area of the system control unit to thereby embed a manufacturer-supplied activation key in the system control unit; and in an end user stage, responding to each startup event on the computer platform by executing the activation-key read command stored in the associated memory area of the system control unit to thereby retrieve the embedded activation key in the system control unit; and then transferring the retrieved activation key from the system control unit to the predefined activation-key storage area in the startup control unit, where the activation key can be accessed by the operating system of the computer platform at startup of the computer platform for product activation purpose.