Data processing: software development – installation – and managem – Software program development tool – Translation of code
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-13
2001-02-13
Chaki, Kakali (Department: 2762)
Data processing: software development, installation, and managem
Software program development tool
Translation of code
C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189147
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to software installation and, more particularly, is related to a system and method for efficiently recovering from an interrupted software installation on a computer system.
2. Description of Related Art
Currently, most software packages have a software installation program having a function to install another program on a computer system. The installation program might be used to guide a user through the complex procedure of setting up the application program for a particular combination of machine and accessories. Installation programs are necessary for copy protected applications which cannot be copied by normal system commands. Typically, they limit the number of copies that can be installed. Currently, if a user's machine is interrupted during the install process, the only alternative is for the user to delete the old components that were partially installed and restart the installation procedure from the beginning.
Heretofore, installation managers have lacked the ability to automatically recover an install process in the event of a crash without wasting time re-installing files that are already installed on the user system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for implementation of an installation recovery system for an install system. To achieve the advantages and novel features, the present invention is generally directed to an implementation of an installation recovery system for an install system that utilizes a list of components to be installed and a current component pointer. The current component pointer identifies which component was the last component successfully installed in the install process. In an instance where recovery is required, the installation recovery system identifies the last component installed and then restarts the install process from the point it was interrupted.
In an alternative embodiment, the component list (i.e., internal data structure) uses alternative means for component identification. The alternative component identification is done using some other symbols, letters, strings, encrypted strings, register keys, INI file sections, INI file values or the like. The use of alternative means for component identification provides additional flexibility and versatility for the identifying installed components.
In another alternative embodiment, the component list also uses other types of component list structures such as, registry keys, INI file sections, INI file values, encrypted strings, and the like. The use of other types of component list structures provides additional flexibility and versatility for identifying installed components.
In another alternative embodiment, the installation recovery system also provides the ability to allow the user to determine if the install system is to continue from the interrupted point. This provides additional control to the user during the install process.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the installation recovery system may allow the user to select which components in the component list are to be recovered during installation recovery. This provides additional flexibility and control for the user to identify and choose which selected program(s) are installed during the recovered install process.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the installation recovery system may permit the install system to indicate which components are mandatory for installation recovery. The indications are then detected by the installation recovery system to identify the components that should be recovered. This provides additional security to the user to ensure that mandatory components are installed.
In a further alternative embodiment, the component list (i.e., a temporary directory) constructed in the registry, is constructed in any directory that currently exists or in a new directory that gets created during installation recovery system execution. This provides additional flexibility and versatility for the install system to be implemented on a computer system utilizing any type of operating system.
Another alternative embodiment permits the install system to provide an autorun executable for the installation recovery system. An autorun executable is a program that is executed without user intervention. This provides additional robust and reliable operation for a user to ensure that the installation recovery system is performed in most circumstances.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the installation recovery system can launch recovery from the installation media used to store and transfer files when the application is installed. This provides additional flexibility and versatility to a software vendor to ensure the installation recovery system is available during a user's installation of the vendor's software.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included herein within the scope of the present invention.
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Chaki Kakali
Hewlett--Packard Company
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