System and method for installing and servicing an operating system in a computer or information appliance

A method for performing service on a computer capable of receiving a removable memory device, comprising:

• providing a primary operating system on a first storage device partition;
• providing a secondary operating system on a second storage device partition different from said first partition;
• if said primary operating system requires service, then operating said computer with said secondary operating system;
• and
• performing a service procedure to said primary operating system or to software or hardware operable with said primary operating system while operating under said secondary operating system, and
• wherein said removable memory device comprises a hard disk drive different from a hard disk drive internal to said computer and storing said primary operating system.

A method for performing service on a computer having means for receiving a removable memory device, comprising:

• providing a primary operating system on a first storage device partition;
• providing a secondary operating system on a second storage device partition different from said first partition;
• if said primary operating system requires service, then operating said computer with said secondary operating system;
• and
• performing a service procedure to said primary operating system or to software or hardware operable with said primary operating system while operating under said secondary operating system, and
• wherein said means for receiving said removable memory device comprises a receptacle having an opening onto an exterior surface of said computer for inserting the removable memory device and a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on or extending into said receptacle for contacting mating contacts on said memory device when said memory device is inserted into said receptacle.

An information appliance comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory coupled to said processor;
• at least one storage device on which a first partition is defined;
• a primary operating system stored on the first partition;
• a portable non-volatile memory device having a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on an external surface thereof for coupling to an electrical circuit of said information appliance;
• second operating system for said information appliance stored within said non-volatile memory;
• a controller for controlling said information appliance to operate under the secondary operating system under predetermined conditions that include performing a service procedure to the first operating system and/or to software and/or hardware associated with the information appliance;
• and
• security means controlling access to said stored primary operating system only with authorization.

A method for performing service on computer, said method comprising steps of:

• providing a primary operating system on a first storage device partition;
• providing a secondary operating system on a second storage device partition different from said first partition;
• if said primary operating system requires service, then operating said computer with said secondary operating system;
• and
• performing a service procedure to said first operating system or to software or hardware operable with said first operating system while operating under said second operating system;
• said service procedure including a procedure for loading software onto said information appliance and comprising steps of:
• defining a first partition on a storage device of said computer;
• defining a second partition different from said first partition;
• installing a secondary operating system and a computer program on said second partition;
• and
• executing said computer program code while operating in said secondary operating system, said computer program code being operative to load a primary operating system onto said first partition from an external source.

A method for loading software onto an information appliance, said method comprising steps of:

• defining a first partition on a storage device of said information appliance;
• defining a second partition different from said first partition;
• installing a secondary operating system and a computer program on said second partition;
• and
• executing said computer program code while operating in said secondary operating system, said computer program code being operative to permit a user to select a particular primary operating system from a plurality of available operating systems and to load the primary operating system onto said first partition from an external source.

A method for loading software onto a computer, comprising:

• defining a first partition on a storage device of said computer;
• defining a second partition different from said first partition;
• installing a secondary operating system and a computer program on said second partition;
• and
• executing said computer program code while operating in said secondary operating system, said computer program code being operative to download a primary operating system from the external source once connected, and to install and configure said primary operating system onto said first partition.

A method for loading software onto a computer, comprising:

• defining a first partition on a storage device of said computer;
• defining a second partition different from said first partition;
• installing a secondary operating system and a computer program on said second partition;
• and
• executing said computer program code while operating in said secondary operating system, said computer program code being operative to load a primary operating system onto said first partition from an external source, and
• wherein a purchaser of said computer is able to select and customize the primary operating system according to the purchaser's needs.