System and method of storing user data in a partition file or using a partition file containing user data

A system, comprising:

• non-volatile storage containing a first operating system included within a non-volatile storage partition and a partition file that contains a second operating system, user data, and a viewer application, the partition file is also included within the non-volatile storage partition;
• a CPU coupled to the non-volatile storage;
• and
• a user input control coupled to the CPU;
• wherein, upon activation of the user input control, the CPU loads the second operating system from the partition file and provides the user access to the user data via a viewer application that runs under the second operating system.

A method usable in a system, comprising:

• capturing user data accessible under a first operating system included in a non-volatile storage partition;
• converting the captured user data to a format compatible with a partition file included within the non-volatile storage partition and accessible by a second operating system included within the partition file;
• and
• storing the converted user data in the partition file.

A method usable in a system, comprising:

• detecting a user activation of an input control;
• loading a second operating system from a partition file;
• loading a viewer application that runs under the second operating system;
• and
• enabling a user to view user data contained in the partition file;
• wherein the partition file is included within a non-volatile storage partition that also includes a first operating system.

A system, comprising:

• means for storing user data provided by a first application executing under a first operating system in a partition file containing a second operating system, said partition file and said first operating system included within a storage partition of a non-volatile storage;
• and
• means for loading the second operating system when a user presses an input control;
• and
• means for permitting access to the user data from the partition file using a second application executing under the second operating system.