System and method for loading an operating system on a personal computer

A general-purpose computing device comprising:

• a data storage system including a partition having a general-purpose and a limited-purpose operating system stored thereon, the limited-purpose operating system configured to provide the general-purpose computing device with restricted capabilities, the data storage system further comprising:
• machine executable code for loading the limited-purpose operating system into memory responsive to an indication that the general-purpose computing device is to be used for a limited purpose, the loading commenced under control of the general-purpose operating system;
• machine executable code for implementing the limited purpose, the code for implementing the limited purpose executed under control of the limited-purpose operating system;
• machine executable code for mounting a file system of the limited-purpose operating system in a directory residing within the partition;
• and
• at least one manually depressible button for booting the limited-purpose operating system and executing the code for implementing the limited purpose.

A method for loading a limited-purpose operating system on a general-purpose computing device including:

• storing a general-purpose and a limited-purpose operating system within a partition on a data storage system, the limited-purpose operating system configured to provide the general-purpose computing device with restricted capabilities;
• loading the limited-purpose operating system into memory responsive to an indication that the general-purpose computing device is to be used for a limited purpose, the loading commenced under control of the general-purpose operating system, the indication provided by at least one manually depressible button on the general-purpose computing device;
• mounting a file system of the limited-purpose operating system in a directory residing within the partition;
• and
• loading an application implementing the limited purpose into memory, the application implementing the limited purpose executed under control of the limited-purpose operating system.