EP0432333A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer system security device
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1989-12-13
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A computer system having a power-on password stored in non-volatile memory wherein entry of the power-on password by a system manager permits access to all of the computer functions; the system also has the facility of at least one additional password held in non-volatile memory, wherein entry of the additional password by a user permits the system to boot in a manner preselected by the system manager. Preferably a there are available a plurality of additional passwords providing at least two different levels of security access to the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor Gerald Golding
- 👤 Gregor Hammond Speirs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F12/00; G06F12/14; G06F21/00; G06F21/30; G06F21/31
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A computer system having a power-on password stored in non-volatile memory wherein entry of the power-on password by a system manager permits access to all of the computer functions, characterised in that at least one additional password is held in non-volatile memory and wherein entry of the additional password by a user permits the system to boot in a manner preselected by the system manager.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A computer system having a power-on password stored in non-volatile memory wherein entry of the power-on password by a system manager permits access to all of the computer functions, characterised in that at least one additional password is held in non-volatile memory and wherein entry of the additional password by a user permits the system to boot in a manner preselected by the system manager.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A computer system as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are available a plurality of additional passwords.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer system as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least two classes of additional password are provided, each of the classes of additional password providing a different level of access to the system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A computer system as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one of the different levels of access disables the boot facility of all input devices permitting loading of programs or data from removable storage media such as for example diskette.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A computer system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the passwords are stored in non-volatile RAM.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the additional password(s) is stored in a masked form by applying the values contained in the power-on password.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A computer system as claimed in any preceding claim having a diskette drive and a fixed disk.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A computer system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the additional password(s) is stored on a sector of the fixed disk.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer system as claimed in claim 7 wherein user entry of the additional password causes the diskette drive boot facility to be disabled.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A computer system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein failure by a user to enter a correct password within three attempts causes the system to require the power to be turned off and on again by the user before a further attempt to enter a password can be made.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4757533A
Cited
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