Patent ID: 7522964

Claim:
A computer system adapted to play an audio file, said computer system comprising: a system CPU; a memory coupled to said system CPU; and a drive coupled to said system CPU and having stored thereon an audio file comprising compressed audio data; wherein a first operating system is adapted to control at least said system CPU and said memory, wherein said first operating system is operable for decompressing said compressed audio data if said computer system is operated by said first operating system; and wherein a second operating system is stored in BIOS and is used instead of said first operating system for retrieving a play list containing information related to a location of an audio file including a volume serial number of a drive containing said audio file, and for enabling said drive to read said audio file from said play list according to said volume serial number, and for enabling said system CPU to decompress said compressed audio data, wherein decompressed audio data is transferred through a first transfer path to an output amplifier through a circuit situated between said drive and said output amplifier if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, and wherein said decompressed audio data is transferred through a second transfer path through said circuit to said output amplifier if said computer system is operated by said second operating system, wherein on said first transfer path said decompressed audio data is not modified by said circuit but on said second transfer path play of said decompressed audio data is controlled using user-actuated function keys that are coupled to said circuit.