Method and apparatus for rendering stolen computing devices inoperable

A method for operating a computing device, comprising:

• determining whether the computing device has been re-authorized by an authorized host computer prior to expiration of an authorization parameter;
• and
• in response to a determination that the computing device has not been re-authorized by the authorized host computer prior to the expiration of said authorization parameter, preventing further operation of the computing device,
• wherein determining and preventing are performed during a boot-up process prior to loading of an operating system.

A computing device, comprising:

• a storage having stored therein an authorization parameter;
• a mechanism for determining whether said computing device has been re-authorized by an authorized host computer prior to expiration of said authorization parameter;
• and
• a mechanism for preventing, in response to a determination that the computing device has not been re-authorized by the authorized host computer prior to the expiration of said authorization parameter, further operation of said computing device,
• wherein said mechanism for determining and said mechanism for preventing are invoked during a boot up process for said computing device prior to loading of an operating system.

A computing device, comprising:

• a storage having stored therein an authorization parameter;
• a mechanism for determining whether said computing device has been re-authorized by an authorized host computer prior to expiration of said authorization parameter;
• and
• a mechanism for preventing, in response to a determination that the computing device has not been re-authorized by the authorized host computer prior to the expiration of said authorization parameter, further operation of said computing device;
• wherein the expiration of said authorization parameter is determined based upon whether a certain functionality has been invoked a certain number of times.