Method and apparatus for selectively locking a system password of a computer system

Patent 5708777 Issued on January 13, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date:

October 16, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Hard disk password security system
Patent #: 5375243
Issued on: 12/20/1994
Inventor: Parzych, et al.

Security system for a stand-alone computer
Patent #: 5402492
Issued on: 03/28/1995
Inventor: Goodman, et al.

Portable computer system having password control means for holding one or more passwords such that the passwords are unreadable by direct access from a main processor
Patent #: 5537544
Issued on: 07/16/1996
Inventor: Morisawa, et al.

Securing trusted personal computer system against unauthorized movement Patent #: 5574786
Issued on: 11/12/1996
Inventor: Dayan, et al.

Inventors

Assignee

Dell USA, L.P.

Application

No. 543469 filed on 10/16/1995

US Classes:

710/200, ACCESS LOCKING711/164With password or key

Examiners

Primary: Harvey, Jack B.
Assistant: Etienne, Ario

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Arnold, White & Durkee

International Class

G06F 012/14

Abstract

A method and apparatus for selectively locking and unlocking the system password of a PC in response to authorized requests by the system administrator. The method and apparatus operate in a PC environment having a Setup utility program and the capability for a system password to control access. The disclosed method contemplates receiving a user request to either disable or change the system password. If the request is a request to disable the system password, then the system password status is examined. If the system password status is "locked," then the system password is not disabled. If the system password status is "unlocked," then the system password is disabled. If, on the other hand, the user request is a request to change the system password, then the setup password is examined. If the setup password is disabled, then the user is permitted to change the system password. If the setup password is enabled, then the user must correctly enter the setup password before being permitted to change the system password.