Computer console with group ICON control

A console for operating a computer which includes a multiplicity of processors, said console comprising:

• means for displaying a multiplicity of icons which represent said multiplicity of processors, respectively;
• means for defining first and second groups of said processors, and in response, the displaying means displays first and second group icons which represent said first and second groups of processors, respectively, said first and second groups comprising a common processor, said first group also comprising a processor not contained in said second group and said second group also comprising processor not contained in said first group;
• means for requesting activation of said first group of processors;
• and
• means, responsive to the requesting means, for attempting to activate said first group of processors;
• and wherein
• if said common processor fails to activate when said attempting means attempts to activate said first group of processors, the displaying means modifies both of the displayed first and second group icons to indicate that at least one processor in each of said first and second groups has failed to activate.

A method for operating a computer which includes a multiplicity of processors, said method comprising the steps of:

• displaying an activate icon, a grouping icon and a multiplicity of icons which represent said multiplicity of processors, respectively;
• defining a group of said processors based on user selection of two or more of the processor icons and said grouping icon, and in response, displaying a group icon which represents said group of processors;
• requesting activation of said group of processors by selecting said group icon and said activate icon, and in response, activating said group of processors;
• and displaying said group icon after said activation of said group of processors without said group being redefined.

A method for activating processors, said method comprising the steps of:

• displaying a multiplicity of first icons representing respective processors, a second icon representing a grouping operation and a third icon representing an activate operation;
• user selecting a plurality of said first icons and said second icon, and in response, displaying a fourth icon representing processors corresponding to said plurality of first icons;
• user selecting said fourth icon and said third icon, and in response, activating the processors represented by said fourth icon;
• and
• displaying said fourth icon after said activating step without said plurality and said second icon being reselected.