Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Intrasystem connection – System configuring
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-19
2001-06-12
Powell, Mark R. (Department: 2122)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Intrasystem connection
System configuring
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247081
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to computer systems and hardware/software installation. More particularly, this invention relates to installing drivers without re-booting the computer system.
2. Background
Computer systems are increasingly becoming commonplace in homes and businesses throughout the world. A wide range of computer systems are commercially available, encompassing a wide range of features and system configuration options. Numerous devices can be either included in a computer system as originally configured or added on at a later time. Examples of such devices include network adapters, audio and/or video recording and playback devices, mass storage devices (including conventional hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, CD-ROM drives, etc.), scanners, printers, etc.
Adding additional devices to a computer system is often a time-consuming and difficult task from which many users shy away. Adding such additional devices typically requires execution of a setup or installation program which provides one or more device drivers to the system. The drivers indicate to the system how to communicate with the new device. Upon completion of the setup program, the system must be re-started or re-booted before the system is able to use the new driver(s) to communicate with the newly installed device. This setup process can become time consuming and frustrating for the user, particularly in situations where the process must be repeated and the system re-started multiple times. These problems are amplified by the long period of time required by many modem operating systems to boot. Thus, it would be beneficial to provide an improved way to add drivers to a computer system.
Thus, a need exists for improved driver installation in a computer system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method and apparatus for installing drivers without requiring system re-boot is described herein. The method includes the steps of installing a driver corresponding to a device into an operating system of a hardware system, wherein the operating system includes a multi-layered driver architecture, including identifying to the operating system at least one other driver to which the driver is to be bound. Then, the driver is started without re-booting the hardware system.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes copying the driver and a corresponding information file from an installation source, wherein the information file includes one or more indicators of the at least one other driver to which the driver is to be bound, and subsequently informing the operating system of the information file. The driver is then added to the operating system.
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Blakely , Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP
Nortel Networks Limited
Pender Michael
Powell Mark R.
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