Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present disclosure is generally related to computer operating systems and, more particularly, is related to configuring computer operating systems to enable network communications. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Current versions of the Microsoft Windows® operating systems (starting with Windows 95®) utilize a centralized hierarchical database to store system settings, hardware configurations, and user preferences. This database is called the Windows Registry or more commonly known as the registry. 
   For example, the registry stores configuration information for hardware or software that is installed within the Windows® operating system, which allows the Window® operating system to retrieve the information at later dates, such as at start up. At start up, the Windows® operating system reads the configuration information in the registry to determine which drivers need to be loaded, which settings to be applied, and which resources need to be allocated. 
   In addition to operating system settings, the registry also stores user preferences and application settings. For example, when a user changes his or her desktop background, these details are stored in the registry. Application settings such as what directory to which a user prefers to download files may be stored in the registry as well. Thus, the registry contains information that the operating system continually references during operation of a computer. 
   Viruses, spyware, and other malware can cause corruption and damage to the registry. For example, one common problem involves the Windows® Socket, also know as Winsock. A Winsock is an application programming interface (API) which communicates with other machines via the TCP/IP protocol. Winsock settings maintained in the Windows® registry are often corrupted by the installation of other programs within the Windows® operating system. After Winsock settings in the registry are corrupted, applications that need the Winsock API to operate, such as web browsers, fail to function properly. Further, measures by users to reconfigure Winsock settings in the registry often lead to additional problems and malfunctions. Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
   SUMMARY 
   Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and devices for repairing computer files that impair network communications. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: extracting information corresponding to settings for network communications from a local resource file, wherein the local resource file is embedded within an application executed by a computer for repairing the files impairing network communication on the computer; and replacing information within a registry of the computer with at least a portion of the extracted information, wherein the replaced information includes settings pertaining to facilitation of network communications on the computer. 
   Embodiments also include a computer readable medium having a computer program for performing the above steps. Other methods, features, devices, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description and be within the scope of the present disclosure. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a computer system having a network communication repair system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram depicting an example of one embodiment of a storage system for important information within the general-purpose computer of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart describing one embodiment of a process for repairing corrupted entries of a registry that impair network communications in accordance with the system of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIGS. 4-9  illustrate screenshot diagrams of a graphical user interface for one embodiment of a network communication repair system of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 10  is a flow chart describing one embodiment of a process for repairing registry and host information in accordance with the system of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a computer system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. General-purpose computer  100  includes a processor  120 , which controls operation of various components of the computer  100 . 
   The processor  120  is a hardware device for executing software, particularly that stored in memory  140 . The processor  120  can be any custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the computer  100 , a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set), a macroprocessor, or generally any device for executing software instructions. 
   The memory  140  can include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.). Moreover, the memory  140  may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Note that the memory  140  can have a distributed architecture, where various components are situated remote from one another, but can be accessed by the processor  120 . 
   The software in memory  140  may include one or more separate programs, each of which comprises an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. In the example of  FIG. 1 , the software in the memory  140  includes a network communication repair (NCR) system  150  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure and a suitable operating system (O/S)  125 . The NCR system  150  is a source program, executable program (object code), script, or any other entity comprising a set of instructions to be performed. The software in the memory  140  may further include a basic input output system (BIOS) (omitted for simplicity). The BIOS is a set of essential software routines that initialize and test hardware at startup, start the O/S  125 , and support the transfer of data among the hardware devices. The BIOS is stored in ROM so that the BIOS can be executed when the computer  100  is activated. Thus, it will be appreciated that a variety of software may be installed into the computer system, examples of which may include a web browser (not shown), file sharing applications (not shown), media players (not shown), etc. 
   A nonexhaustive list of examples of suitable commercially available operating systems  125  is as follows: (a) a Windows® operating system available from Microsoft Corporation; (b) a Netware® operating system available from Novell, Inc.; (c) a Macintosh® operating system available from Apple Computer, Inc.; (d) a UNIX operating system, which is available for purchase from many vendors, such as the Hewlett-Packard Company, Sun Microsystems, Inc., and AT&amp;T Corporation; (e) a LINUX operating system, which is freeware that is readily available on the Internet; (f) a run time Vxworks operating system from WindRiver Systems, Inc.; or (g) an appliance-based operating system, such as that implemented in handheld computers or personal data assistants (PDAs) (e.g., PalmOS® available from Palm Computing, Inc., and Windows CE® available from Microsoft Corporation). The operating system  125  controls the execution of other computer programs, such as the NCR system  150 , and provides scheduling, input-output control, file and data management, memory management, and communication control and related services. 
   Processor  120 , memory  140 , and one or more input and/or output (I/O) devices  160  (or peripherals) are communicatively coupled via a local interface  180 . The local interface  180  can be, for example but not limited to, one or more buses or other wired or wireless connections, as is known in the art. 
   The I/O devices  160  may include input devices, for example but not limited to, a keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, etc. Furthermore, the I/O devices  160  may also include output devices, for example but not limited to, a printer, display, etc. Finally, the I/O devices  160  may further include devices that communicate both inputs and outputs, for instance but not limited to, a modulator/demodulator (modem; for accessing another device, system, or network), a radio frequency (RF) or other transceiver, a telephonic interface, a bridge, a router, etc. For example, reference numeral  190  represents a network interface for communicating various information with a communication network (not shown), such as, but not limited to, the Internet. Further, reference numeral  195  denotes a monitor display which visually displays various information to the user. 
   With reference now to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram depicts an example of the storage of important information within the general-purpose computer  100  that may be implemented in one embodiment of the present disclosure. General-purpose computer  100  contains local files  210 , which include such files as application files, data files, device drivers, operating system files, or other types of files. Local files  210  may also include specific categories of files such as user files  220  and system files  230 . User files  220  may be those application and data files that customize or configure general-purpose computer  100  in a personal manner for a specific user. System files  230  may include operating system and application files available for use to any user of the general-purpose computer  100 . 
   General-purpose computer  100  also contains a computer registry  240 . The registry  240  is a central hierarchical database in computer operating systems, such as Windows 9X and Windows NT® operating systems, where Windows 9X refers to Windows 95®, Windows 98®, and succeeding operating systems. The registry  240  stores information necessary to configure a computer system for one or more users, applications, and hardware devices. The registry  240  contains information that the operating system  125  continually reference for operation, such as profiles for each user, the applications installed on the computer  100 , the types of documents that each application may create, information about folders and icons, the type of hardware on the computer system  100 , and the configuration of the input/output boards. Entries in registry  240  may be categorized as system-related entries and user-related entries shown as system registry  250  and user registry  260 . If registry information  240  is corrupted, serious problems can result that may require reinstallation of the operating system  125 . 
   According to an exemplary embodiment, the structure of the registry  240  is a hierarchical structure similar to a directory/file tree. The registry  240  is organized with hives, keys, subkeys, and values. Hives are the top most portions of a hierarchical data tree with each hive containing a certain category of information. For example, one hive may contain the configuration that applies to the particular user logged on, while another hive may contain information about the hardware installed in the computer  100 . Some possible hives are identified below for the Windows® operating system: 
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU): This Hive contains the preferences and configuration for the particular user who is currently logged in. If a different user is logged onto the same machine, then the information in this Hive changes corresponding to that particular user&#39;s configuration. 
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM): This Hive contains the configuration for the actual computer. The information in this Hive remains the same regardless of the user currently logged on. 
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (HKCR): This Hive contains the information that pertains to the core user interface such as file associations and shortcuts. 
   HKEY_USERS (HKU): This Hive contains the user information for all the users that have ever logged onto this computer. 
   HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG (HKCC): This Hive contains the information about current hardware configuration. This Hive is linked to the HKLM Hive. 
   HKEY_DYN_DATA (HKDD): This Hive contains information about hardware Plug and Play. This Hive is linked to the HKLM Hive. 
   Keys are an organizational unit in the registry  240  that can either contain values or further subkeys. Values contain the actual data that is being stored in a key or a subkey. There are quite a few different types of values that can be stored in the registry  240 , but the most common ones are binary, strings, and DWORD (32-bit) values. Registry information, in some embodiments, also includes Winsock settings associated with registry values maintained in Winsock and Winsock 2 registry keys or other related keys. 
   Example registry keys can be seen below. These registry keys are associated with Winsock APIs utilized by the general-purpose computer  100 .
         HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2
 
If these Winsock registry keys become corrupted, then applications involving Internet communications may be impaired, in some embodiments.
       

   For example, during the installation of a DSL (digital subscriber line) service, Winsock registry keys are often corrupted. As a result, a web browser on the general-purpose computer  100  is unable to connect with a network, such as an Internet, since the web browser makes use of the Winsock API to facilitate the connection. 
   Currently, help desk agents (e.g., tier-3 agents) for a DSL service “verbally” instruct customers through a number of steps that include modifying the user&#39;s registry information  240  on the general-purpose computer  100  and uninstalling network protocols from the computer  100 . However, if a customer fails to follow instructions carefully, it is possible to render the customer&#39;s computer  106  inoperable. Thus, in accordance with the present disclosure, embodiments are provided for automatically repairing Winsock registry keys (or other settings related to network communication operability) at the push of a button of an interface of a network communication repair application or system  150 . 
   With reference now to  FIG. 3 , a flow chart depicts one embodiment of a process  300  for repairing corrupted entries of a registry on a client computer  100  that impair network communications, such as those involving the Winsock API. The process begins by determining a version of the operating system  125  being utilized by a general-purpose computer  100  (step  310 ). Then, registry information within the registry is copied and saved ( 320 ) in a back-up file or files by implementing a call to the Winsock API, in one embodiment. Next, new registry information is extracted ( 330 ) from a resource file containing registry information for different versions of the operating system  125 . The extracted information corresponds to the version of the operating system that was determined in step  310 . 
   Also, as part of the process  300 , the network connection for the general-purpose computer is reset ( 340 ) to release a lease for an IP address under DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) or to disable network communications. Subsequently, current registry information pertaining to the Winsock API are deleted ( 350 ) from the registry of the general-purpose computer, and the extracted registry information is added ( 360 ) to the registry in its place. Afterwards, a clean-up routine is performed ( 370 ) to remove any files that were produced during the repair process, such as files created to hold information extracted from the resource file. Then, the computer is rebooted ( 380 ) so that the new registry settings may take effect. Also, if need be, the back-up file(s) are maintained on the general-purpose computer so that they may be later restored to previous registry settings, if desired. 
   Next,  FIGS. 4-9  illustrate screenshot diagrams of a graphical user interface for one embodiment of a NCR application or system  150 . In  FIG. 4 , a first graphical user interface (GUI)  400  is shown, where the first GUI is identified as a “Winsock Repair Tool,” named “WinsockFix v2.2.” As shown, the first GUI  400  includes three buttons  410 ,  420 ,  430 . A first button  410  includes the label “FIX IT!” and upon activation of this button, a repair process is initiated to fix or repair registry settings that are preventing or impairing proper utilization of a Winsock API. A second button  420  includes the label “BKUP Registry” and upon activation of this button, current registry settings are copied and saved in a backup file on a general-purpose computer  100 . A third button  430  includes the label “About,” and upon activation of this-button, additional information is displayed regarding the NCR application  150 . 
   An embodiment of a second GUI  500  that displays in response to activation of the third button  430  is shown in  FIG. 5 . In this example, the second GUI  500  identifies a name of the application  510 , a brief description of the application  520 ; and a copyright notice  530 . Further, the second GUI  500 , in one embodiment, is initially displayed adjacent to or overlaying across the first GUI  400  on the computer desktop with the second GUI receiving current desktop focus. Correspondingly, to close the second GUI  500  and return focus to the first GUI  400 , a button  540  labeled “OK” may be activated from the second GUI  500 . 
   Referring back to  FIG. 4 , when the first GUI  400  is displayed, the NCR application  150  determines a version of the operating system  125  that is operating on the general-purpose computer  100 . As shown in the first GUI  400 , a status message  440  indicates to a user the detected operating system, which may be done utilizing a Windows API, such as, but not limited to, GetVersionEx. 
   In  FIG. 4 , if the first button  410  is activated, then a third GUI display  600 , is displayed, in one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 . In accordance with the present disclosure, the third GUI  600  may be initially displayed adjacent to or overlaying across the first GUI  400  on the computer desktop with the third GUI initially receiving desktop focus. 
   With regard to  FIG. 6 , a user is prompted to confirm that he or she would like to continue with operation of the NCR application  150  via the third GUI  600 . Accordingly, by selecting the OK button  610 , a user confirms his or her desire to continue with operation of the NCR application  150  so that registry settings related to the Winsock API may be repaired. In response, the third GUI  600  is closed and removed from the desktop and focus is returned to the first GUI  400 . Alternatively, if the user selects the CANCEL button  620 , the interface to the NCR application  150  is closed and the operation of the application  150  is canceled. 
   Accordingly, upon selection of the OK button  610  to confirm a desire to repair registry settings, the status message  440  on the GUI  400  is update to reflect the current step being performed by the NCR application  150 . For example, in  FIG. 7 , the first GUI  400  displays a status message  440  stating “Repairing Winsock . . .” to indicate that the registry settings related to the Winsock API are in the process of being repaired. After the repair process is completed, then a fourth GUI  800  is displayed to prompt the user to reboot the general-purpose computer  100 , so that the new settings can take effect, as shown in  FIG. 8 . In accordance with the present disclosure, the fourth GUI  800 , in one embodiment, is initially displayed adjacent to or overlaying across the first GUI  400  on the computer desktop with the fourth GUI  800  initially receiving focus on the computer desktop. 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , by selecting the OK button  810 , the NCR application initiates a routine to restart the general-purpose computer  100  so that the new settings are recognized by the operating system  125  of the general-purpose computer  100 . Alternatively, if the user selects the CANCEL button  820 , then the restart routine is not initiated and focus returns to the first GUI  400  on the computer desktop. 
   Referring back to  FIG. 4 , if a user selects the BKUP Registry button  420 , then a fifth GUI  900  is displayed to the user, as shown in  FIG. 9 . The fifth GUI  900 , in one embodiment, is initially displayed adjacent to or overlaying over the first GUI  400  on the computer desktop with the fifth GUI  800  initially receiving current desktop focus. 
   In response to selection of the BKUP Registry button  420 , the NCR application  150  makes copies of registry information before operation of the NCR application is completed. Accordingly, the registry information is copied and saved in a back-up registry file that is stored locally on a hard-drive of the general-purpose computer  100 . Therefore, at a later time, the information stored on the back-up file(s) may be accessed and imported back to the registry  240 . Accordingly, after the BKUP Registry button  420  is selected and a back-up routine is performed, the fifth GUI  900  is displayed informing the user of completion of the back-up routine and location of files that contain saved information from the back-up routine, as shown in  FIG. 9 . To close the fifth GUI  900  and return focus to the first GUI  400 , a button  910  labeled OK may be activated from the fifth GUI  900 . 
   Note, in some embodiments, the registry  240  is backed up in its entirety during a back-up routine. Further, in some embodiments, the back-up routine or operation is performed, as a background process, that is transparent to the user. Also of note, in some embodiments, a NCR application  150  is configured to allow the operating system  125  to process requests from other running applications while the NCR application  150  is also operating. 
   In some embodiments, registry information that is replaced in the registry  240  are pre-compiled with different registry keys that are known to be valid (e.g., from documentation about the operating system  125 , from experience in troubleshooting registry problems, etc.). In one embodiment, an executable file of the NCR application is embedded with a resource file that contains registry information for different versions of the operating system  125 . After the NCR application  150  determines the particular version of the operating system  125  operating on the general-purpose computer  100 , the NCR application  150  extracts the registry information from the embedded resource file for the particular operating system version (e.g., Windows XP). Then, the NCR application  150  resets the network connection (e.g., TCP/IP) of the general-purpose computer  100  (e.g., via utilization of Window® command-line tool, ipconfig.exe, among others). 
   In some embodiments, additional information besides registry information is also replaced in the general-purpose computer to repair network communication problems. For example, additional information may include, but is not limited to, host-file information. 
   In computing, a host file is stored on a computer&#39;s file system and is used to look up an Internet Protocol address of a device connected to a computer network. The host file describes a many-to-one mapping of device names to IP addresses. Accordingly, when accessing a device by name, the operating system  125  attempts to locate the name within the host file if it exists, before accessing the Internet domain name system (DNS). The host file can also be used in malicious ways by the authors of spyware and viruses, where a device name, such as a web site name, is associated with an IP address of another web site. Therefore, a corrupted host file may impair network communications for a general-purpose computer  100 . 
   With reference now to  FIG. 10 , a flow chart depicts one embodiment of a process  1000  for repairing corrupt entries of a registry and host information on a general-purpose computer  100 . The process begins by determining a version of the operating system  125  being utilized by a general-purpose computer  100  experiencing network communication problems, such as those involving the Winsock API (step  1010 ). Then, registry information within the registry and host information within the computer&#39;s file system is copied and saved ( 1020 ) in a back-up file or files. New registry and host information is extracted ( 1030 ) from a resource file containing registry information for different versions of the operating system. The extracted information corresponds to the version of the operating system that was determined in step  1010 . 
   The process  1000  continues with the network connection for the general-purpose computer being reset ( 1040 ) (e.g., resetting TCP/IP settings, releasing lease of DCHP address, etc.). Further, current registry information pertaining to the Winsock API and host information are deleted ( 1050 ) from the general-purpose computer  100 ; and the extracted registry and host information are added ( 1060 ) to the registry  240  and file directory of the general-purpose computer  100  to replace the deleted information. Afterwards, a clean-up routine is performed ( 1070 ) to remove any files that were produced during the repair process, such as, files created to hold information extracted from the resource file. Then, the computer is rebooted ( 1080 ) so that the new registry and host settings may take effect. Also, if need be, the back-up file(s) are maintained on the general-purpose computer to restore  100  the previous registry and host settings, if desired. 
   In accordance with one embodiment, for different versions of operating systems detected by the application  150 , different versions of registry information and other files associated with proper operation of the Winsock API. are extracted by the application  150 , with slight variations existing between the different versions, in some embodiments. For example, for Windows XP operating system, the following keys may be replaced:
         HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2
 
And, for a different version, such as Windows 98 operating system, the following (and a different set of) keys may be replaced:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VXD\Dhcp   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VXD\Dhcoptions   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VXD\MSTCP   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VXD\Winsock2       

   Advantageously, embodiments of the present disclosure include new setting information for the Winsock API within an application used to repair the settings and does not rely on installation files (e.g. *.CAB files maintained on hard drives or removable installation disks) to be used to restore registry settings and other files affecting network communications. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the Windows® operating system. For example, other operating systems also have registry equivalents that are contemplated by the present disclosure. 
   There are many scenarios where different embodiments of a NCR application  150  may be utilized. For instance, in accordance with one embodiment, a new user of a DSL service may be provided a group of files necessary for installing software to implement the DSL service on a general-purpose computer  100 . Accordingly, the necessary files may be stored on a removable disk that the user sets in a disk drive of the general-purpose computer  100 , so that the general-purpose computer  100  may access the contents of the disk. Alternatively, the necessary files may also be downloaded from a network server onto a hard disk of the general-purpose computer  100 . Accordingly, the network communication repair application  150  may be included within the group of files for implementing the DSL service as an executable file. In this way, if a user experiences problems with his or her DSL service, the user may execute the NCR application  150 , so that the application  150  may resolve any Winsock issues the general-purpose computer  100  is experiencing. 
   Embodiments of the NCR application  150  of the present disclosure can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the NCR application  150  is implemented in software or firmware that is stored in a memory and that is executed by a suitable instruction execution system. If implemented in hardware, as in an alternative embodiment, the NCR application  150  can be implemented with any or a combination of the following technologies, which are all well known in the art: a discrete logic circuit(s) having logic gates for implementing logic functions upon data signals, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having appropriate combinational logic gates, a programmable gate array(s) (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. 
   In one embodiment, the NCR application  150 , which comprises an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions, can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. 
   In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” can be any means that can contain, store, communicate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer readable medium can be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or transport medium. More specific examples (a nonexhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection (electronic) having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random access memory (RAM) (electronic), a read-only memory (ROM) (electronic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) (electronic), an optical fiber (optical), and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM) (optical). In addition, the scope of the present disclosure includes embodying the functionality of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure in logic embodied in hardware or software-configured mediums. 
   Any process descriptions or blocks in flow charts should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included within the scope of the present disclosure in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. 
   It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure.

Technology Category: g