Apparatus and method for controlling booting operation of computer system

Abstract

An apparatus and method for managing a memory of a computer and controlling a booting operation of the computer, are provided. The computer includes a memory having a user area and a protected security area (PSA). The user area has a management area. The method includes assigning a first partition to the user area of the memory; storing first partition information in the management area of the user area, the first partition information pertaining to the first partition; assigning a second partition to the PSA in response to an access signal, the access signal authorizing access to the PSA; storing, in the management area, second partition information pertaining to the second partition; storing the second partition information in the PSA; and removing the second partition information from the management area after storing the second partition information in the PSA.

1. A method of managing a memory associated with a computer, the memory including a user area and a protected security area (PSA), the user area including a management area, the method comprising:
 assigning a first partition to the user area;  
 storing first partition information in the management area of the user area, the first partition information pertaining to the first partition;  
 assigning a second partition to the PSA in response to an access signal, the access signal authorizing access to the PSA;  
 storing, in the management area, second partition information pertaining to the second partition;  
 storing the second partition information in the PSA; and  
 removing the second partition information from the management area after storing the second partition information in the PSA.  
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the assigning of the first partition and the storing of the first partition information occur simultaneously. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the assigning of the second partition and the storing of the second partition information in the management area occur simultaneously. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of storing the second partition information in the PSA includes:
 copying the second partition information from the management area into the PSA.  
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of assigning the first partition occurs in response to a limiting signal, the limiting signal limiting access to the PSA. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 setting the memory to limit access to the PSA after the removing step.  
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein in the step of assigning the first partition, the memory is a hard disc drive associated with the computer. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing at least one recovery program in the second partition.  
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 executing the at least one recovery program when a recovery mode is selected.  
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 storing, in the PSA, a copy of information stored in the management area when the recovery mode is selected.  
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adjusting a size of at least one partition of the memory in response to a user input;  
 updating the management area in accordance with the adjusted size of the at least one partition; and  
 storing, in the PSA, a copy of information in the updated management area.  
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user area is accessible by an end user, and the PSA is not accessible by the end user. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the management area is a master boot record (MBR) area located at a first section of the user area. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 inserting an identification code in the PSA, the identification code identifying the memory; and  
 controlling a recovery operation of the memory based on the identification code.  
 
     
     
       15. An apparatus for managing a memory associated with a computer, the memory including a user area and a protected security area (PSA), the user area including a management area, the apparatus comprising:
 means for assigning a first partition to the user area;  
 means for storing first partition information in the management area of the user area, the first partition information pertaining to the first partition;  
 means for assigning a second partition to the PSA in response to an access signal, the access signal authorizing access to the PSA;  
 means for storing, in the management area, second partition information pertaining to the second partition;  
 means for storing the second partition information in the PSA; and  
 means for removing the second partition information from the management area after storing the second partition information in the PSA.  
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the assigning of the first partition and the storing of the first partition information occur simultaneously. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the assigning of the second partition and the storing of the second partition information in the management area occur simultaneously. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the means for storing the second partition information in the PSA copies the second partition information from the management area in the PSA. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the means for assigning the first partition assigns the first partition in response to a limiting signal, the limiting signal limiting access to the PSA. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 means for limiting access to the PSA, wherein the access to the PSA is limited after the means for removing removes the second partition information from the management area.  
 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the memory is a hard disk drive associated with the computer. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 means for storing at least one recovery program in the second partition.  
 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 means for executing the at least one recovery program when a recovery mode is selected.  
 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 means for storing, in the PSA, a copy of information stored in the management area when the recovery mode is selected.  
 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 means for adjusting a size of at least one partition of the memory in response to a user input;  
 means for updating the management area in accordance with the adjusted size of the at least one partition; and  
 means for storing, in the PSA, a copy of information in the updated management area.  
 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the user area is accessible by an end user, and the PSA is not accessible by the end user. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the management area is a master boot record (MBR) area located at a first section of the user area. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 means for inserting an identification code in the PSA, the identification code identifying the memory; and  
 means for controlling a recovery operation of the memory based on the identification code.  
 
     
     
       29. A computer system comprising:
 a user input unit;  
 a display unit;  
 a microprocessor to control the display unit and the user input unit; and  
 a memory being controlled by the microprocessor and including a user area and a protected security area (PSA), the user area including a management area,  
 wherein the user area includes a first partition, and first partition information stored in the management area, the first partition information pertaining to the first partition,  
 the PSA includes a second partition and second partition information in response to an access signal, the access signal authorizing access to the PSA, the second partition information pertaining to the second partition, and  
 the management area also stores therein the second partition information, which is removed after the second partition information is provided in the PSA.  
 
     
     
       30. A computer program product embodied on at least one computer-accessible storage medium, for managing a memory associated with a computer, the memory including a user area and a protected security area (PSA), the user area including a management area, the computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions for:
 assigning a first partition to the user area;  
 storing first partition information in the management area of the user area, the first partition information pertaining to the first partition;  
 assigning a second partition to the PSA in response to an access signal, the access signal authorizing access to the PSA;  
 storing, in the management area, second partition information pertaining to the second partition;  
 storing the second partition information in the PSA; and  
 removing the second partition information from the management area after storing the second partition information in the PSA.  
 
     
     
       31. The computer program product of  claim 30 , wherein the assigning of the first partition and the storing of the first partition information occur simultaneously. 
     
     
       32. The computer program product of  claim 30 , wherein the assigning of the second partition and the storing of the second partition information in the management area occur simultaneously. 
     
     
       33. The computer program product of  claim 30 , wherein the computer-executable instructions for storing the second partition information in the PSA include computer-executable instructions for:
 copying the second partition information from the management area into the PSA.  
 
     
     
       34. The computer program product of  claim 30 , wherein the computer-executable instructions for assigning the first partition assign in response to a limiting signal, the limiting signal limiting access to the PSA. 
     
     
       35. The computer program product of  claim 30 , further comprising computer-executable instructions for:
 setting the memory to limit access to the PSA after the second partition information is removed from the management area.  
 
     
     
       36. The computer program product of  claim 30 , wherein the memory is a hard disc drive associated with the computer. 
     
     
       37. The computer program product of  claim 30 , further comprising computer-executable instructions for:
 storing at least one recovery program in the second partition.  
 
     
     
       38. The computer program product of  claim 37 , further comprising computer-executable instructions for:
 executing the at least one recovery program when a recovery mode is selected.  
 
     
     
       39. The computer program product of  claim 38 , further comprising computer-executable instructions for:
 storing, in the PSA, a copy of information stored in the management area when the recovery mode is selected.  
 
     
     
       40. The computer program product of  claim 30 , further comprising computer-executable instructions for:
 adjusting a size of at least one partition of the memory in response to a user input;  
 updating the management area in accordance with the adjusted size of the at least one partition; and  
 storing, in the PSA, a copy of information in the updated management area.  
 
     
     
       41. The computer program product of  claim 30 , wherein the user area is accessible by an end user, and the PSA is not accessible by the end user. 
     
     
       42. The computer program product of  claim 30 , wherein the management area is a master boot record (MBR) area located at a first section of the user area. 
     
     
       43. The computer program product of  claim 30 , further comprising computer-executable instructions for:
 inserting an identification code in the PSA, the identification code identifying the memory; and  
 controlling a recovery operation of the memory based on the identification code.  
 
     
     
       44. A method for performing a recovery operation in a computer, the computer including a memory having a management area and a hidden area, the hidden area including specific master boot record ( MBR )  information stored in a first area of the hidden area for the recovery operation, the method comprising:      making the hidden area accessible when the computer is in a recovery mode;        storing current MBR information provided in the management area, into a second area of the hidden area, as a backup MBR; and        booting the computer in the recovery mode using the specific MBR information stored in the first area of the hidden area.     
     
     
       45. The method of  claim 44 , wherein the booting step includes:
   changing an active partition of the computer to be the first area of the hidden area,        accessing the specific MBR information stored in the first area of the hidden, and        booting the computer using an OS included in the accessed MBR information.     
     
     
       46. The method of  claim 44 , further comprising:
   installing, into a user area of the memory, an OS included in the specific MBR information obtained from the first area of the hidden area.     
     
     
       47. The method of  claim 44 , further comprising:
   automatically executing a recovery program provided in the specific MBR information during the booting of the computer.     
     
     
       48. The method of  claim 44 , further comprising:
   storing a copy of the backup MBR stored in the second area of the hidden area, into the management area when the recovery mode is cancelled or terminated.     
     
     
       49. The method of  claim 44 , wherein the current MBR information is stored in a header of the memory. 
     
     
       50. The method of  claim 44 , wherein the hidden area is inaccessible by an OS during a non- recovery mode of the computer.   
     
     
       51. The method of  claim 44 , wherein the management area is part of a user area, and the hidden area is a protected security area ( PSA ). 
     
     
       52. The method of  claim 44 , wherein the specific MBR information stored in the first area of the hidden area includes a recovery program and a compressed image file containing an OS. 
     
     
       53. A computer, comprising:
   a memory having a management area and a hidden area, the hidden area including specific master boot record  ( MBR )  information stored in a first area of the hidden area for a recovery operation; and        a controller configured to control the memory and to perform the recovery operation of the computer by:      making the hidden area accessible when the computer is in a recovery mode;        storing current MBR information provided in the management area, into a second area of the hidden area, as a backup MBR; and        booting the computer in the recovery mode using the specific MBR information stored in the first area of the hidden area.       
     
     
       54. The computer of  claim 53 , wherein the controller is configured to boot the computer by:
   changing an active partition of the computer to be the first area of the hidden area,        accessing the specific MBR information stored in the first area of the hidden area, and        booting the computer using an OS included in the accessed MBR information.     
     
     
       55. The computer of  claim 53 , wherein the controller is configured to install, into a user area of the memory, an OS included in the specific MBR information obtained from the first area of the hidden area. 
     
     
       56. The computer of  claim 53 , wherein the controller is configured to automatically execute a recovery program provided in the specific MBR information during the booting of the computer. 
     
     
       57. The computer of  claim 53 , wherein the controller is configured to store a copy of the backup MBR stored in the second area of the hidden area, into the management area when the recovery mode is cancelled or terminated. 
     
     
       58. The computer of  claim 53 , wherein the current MBR information is stored in a header of the memory. 
     
     
       59. The computer of  claim 53 , wherein the hidden area is inaccessible by an OS during a non- recovery mode of the computer.   
     
     
       60. The computer of  claim 53 , wherein the management area is part of a user area, and the hidden area is a protected security area ( PSA ). 
     
     
       61. The computer of  claim 53 , wherein the specific MBR information stored in the first area of the hidden area includes a recovery program and a compressed image file containing an OS. 
     
     
       62. The computer of  claim 53 , wherein the controller includes a BIOS ( Basic Input/Output System ). 
     
     
       63. A computer- readable storage medium encoded with at least one computer program executable by a computer, for performing a recovery operation in the computer, the computer including a memory having a management area and a hidden area, the hidden area including specific master boot record  ( MBR )  information stored in a first area of the hidden area for the recovery operation, the computer program comprising computer - executable instructions for:      making the hidden area accessible when the computer is in a recovery mode;        storing current MBR information provided in the management area, into a second area of the hidden area, as a backup MBR; and        booting the computer in the recovery mode using the specific MBR information stored in the first area of the hidden area.     
     
     
       64. The computer- readable storage medium of    claim 63   , wherein the computer - executable instructions for booting step include computer - executable instructions for:      changing an active partition of the computer to be the first area of the hidden area,        accessing the specific MBR information stored in the first area of the hidden, and        booting the computer using an OS included in the accessed MBR information.     
     
     
       65. The computer- readable storage medium of    claim 63   , further comprising computer - executable instructions for:      installing, into a user area of the memory, an OS included in the specific MBR information obtained from the first area of the hidden area.     
     
     
       66. The computer- readable storage medium of    claim 63   , further comprising computer - executable instructions for:      automatically executing a recovery program provided in the specific MBR information during the booting of the computer.     
     
     
       67. The computer- readable storage medium of    claim 63   , further comprising computer - executable instructions for:      storing a copy of the backup MBR stored in the second area of the hidden area, into the management area when the recovery mode is cancelled or terminated.     
     
     
       68. The computer- readable storage medium of    claim 63   , wherein the current MBR information is stored in a header of the memory.   
     
     
       69. The computer- readable storage medium of    claim 63   , wherein the hidden area is inaccessible by an OS during a non - recovery mode of the computer.   
     
     
       70. The computer- readable storage medium of    claim 63   , wherein the management area is part of a user area, and the hidden area is a protected security area  ( PSA ). 
     
     
       71. The computer- readable storage medium of    claim 63   , wherein the specific MBR information stored in the first area of the hidden area includes a recovery program and a compressed image file containing an OS.