(12) United States Patent
`Goshey et al.
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111 11111111
`US006205527Bl
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`Mar.20,2001
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`INTELLIGENT BACKUP AND RESTORING
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`IMPLEMENTING THE SAME
`
`Inventors: Michael M. Goshey; Guido
`Maffezzoni; Gilbert Chang-Tying Wu,
`all of San Jose; Yen-Chung Lin,
`Saratoga; John D. Nguyen, Milpitas, all
`of CA (US); Roger A. Stoller,
`Harwood Heights, IL (US); Kristine N.
`Luong, Santa Clara; Robert S.
`Hudson, San Jose, both of CA (US);
`David A. Coleman, Silverdale; Dennis
`M. Sumners, Port Orchard, both of WA
`(US); Thanh T. Bui, San Jose, CA
`(US); Tony Fu, Placentia, CA (US);
`Tony G. Kwan, Milpitas, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Adaptec, Inc., Milpitas, CA (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/110,783
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 6, 1998
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/075,687, filed on Feb. 24,
`1998.
`Int. Cl.7 ...................................................... G06F 12/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. .................................. 711/162; 717/11; 714/6
`(58) Field of Search ..................................... 711/162, 161;
`717 /11; 709/213; 713/2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,269,022 * 12/1993 Shinjo et al.
`
`............................ 713/2
`
`5,469,573 * 11/1995 McGill, III et al. ................... 717/11
`5,694,600 * 12/1997 Khenson et al. ......................... 713/2
`5,713,024 * 1/1998 Halladay ................................ 717/11
`5,754,782 * 5/1998 Masada ................................ 709/213
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Unknown, "XactCopy", DuoCor, Inc., Nevada City, CA.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Do Yoo
`Assistant Examiner-Nasser Moazzami
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Martine Penilla & Kim,
`LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Disclosed is an apparatus, a system, a computer readable
`media, and a method for protecting data of a computer
`system. The method includes: (a) connecting a peripheral
`storage device to the computer system; (b) preparing a
`storage media of the peripheral storage device to be a
`protection enabled media; (c) selecting a backup set of data
`stored in a hard drive of the computer system, the backup set
`of data includes a default set of boot files and operating
`system files; ( d) creating a spare tire backup using file-based
`copying from the hard drive of the computer system to the
`storage media of the peripheral storage device; ( e) enabling
`the peripheral storage device to incrementally copy portions
`of the backup set of data from the hard drive of the computer
`system during normal use; and (f) booting the computer
`system from the peripheral storage device when a failure
`occurs with the hard drive that disables normal booting. In
`this manner, the user can resume uninterrupted work from
`the spare tire backup of the peripheral storage device until
`the hard drive failure is repaired.
`
`35 Claims, 21 Drawing Sheets
`
`110
`
`/
`
`~ - -~ - -~112
`Connect peripheral storage device
`to host computer
`
`Prepare the peripheral storage
`device to be a Genesis autobackup
`system
`
`Host computer hard drive
`experiences a failure
`
`Re-boot the host computer from
`the peripheral storage device and
`continue working until the host
`computer hard drive is repaired
`
`114
`
`116
`
`118
`
`Restore the host computer hard
`drive with contents of the
`peripheral storage device once the
`host computer hard drive 1s repaired
`
`120
`
`Done
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`100
`
`/
`
`101
`
`102
`
`,..____--
`
`~nternal I lu:
`
`HARD DISK
`
`--E3-
`
`FIG. 1A
`
`£!;/~
`
`108
`
`106
`'---
`
`.-
`
`~
`
`...
`
`~
`
`104
`'--
`
`Peripheral
`Storage
`Device
`
`103
`'--
`
`SCSI
`Host
`Adapter
`
`Jl.
`
`100
`'-
`
`Host Computer
`System
`
`FIG. 1 B
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`Begin
`
`''
`Connect peripheral storage device
`to host computer
`
`1 ,
`
`Prepare the peripheral storage
`device to be a Genesis autobackup
`system
`
`, ,
`
`Host computer hard drive
`experiences a failure
`
`,,
`
`110
`
`/
`
`1 12
`l,.J
`
`1 14
`l,,-J
`
`1 16
`l,-/
`
`Re-boot the host computer from
`the peripheral storage device and
`continue working until the host
`computer hard drive is repaired
`
`1
`18
`,,-I
`
`1 ,
`
`Restore the host computer hard
`drive with contents of the
`peripheral storage device once the
`host computer hard drive is repaired
`
`1 20
`l,.J
`
`, ,
`
`Done
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`Repair host computer system and
`prepare peripheral storage device to be
`an intelligent Genesis backup protection
`system
`
`114
`I
`
`Format media
`
`Partition peripheral storage device
`to match existing logical drive
`letter artitions of the hard drive s
`
`Format each drive letter partition on
`peripheral storage device to match
`format scheme of hard drive s
`
`Generate backup data FootPrint
`
`Generate backup schedule
`
`Collect e-mail information
`
`Auto select default contents from
`hard drive to be copied to the
`media of the cartrid e
`
`Custom select contents from hard
`drive to be copied to the media of
`the cartridge
`
`202
`
`204
`
`206
`
`208
`
`212
`
`214
`
`216
`
`218
`
`220
`
`FIG.3A
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`Create database having auto
`select content locations and
`custom select content locations
`
`Run backup restore engine
`
`Force re-boot to peripheral
`storage device to run a test
`of the intelligent Genesis
`backup protection system
`
`222
`
`224
`
`226
`
`Re-boot to the computer system
`hard drive to ascertain
`performance of the intelligent
`backup protection system
`
`228
`
`234
`
`N
`
`Display user of
`computer system an
`X-File viewer to perform
`modification to the
`custom select contents
`
`Y
`
`232
`
`Operate the computer system
`normally with the intelligent
`backup protection system in an
`active state
`
`FIG.38
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 5 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`Host computer system
`experiences hard drive
`failure
`
`118
`¥
`
`Force a re-boot of the host
`computer system from the
`Peri heral stora e device
`
`252
`
`Continue uninterrupted working
`from intelligent backed-up data
`using the peripheral storage
`device
`
`Repair the host computer's
`hard drive
`
`254
`
`256
`
`y
`
`y
`_____ ...._ ____ ~264
`Prepare hard drive
`
`Restore the host computer 266
`with data from the
`
`Re-boot from repaired and 268
`restored hard drive
`
`Done
`
`FIG. 4
`
`262
`
`N
`
`Keep using
`peripheral
`storage
`device
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`300
`
`\
`
`312
`
`306
`
`Preparation
`wizard
`
`Spare tire
`launch
`wizard
`
`FIG.SA
`
`304
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 7 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`Genesis Backup
`
`All Folders
`
`lh·§ My Docum~nts
`
`~-2:IDBoot Files
`1:1·0DWin95/98/NT System Files
`$-~D Programs
`1 $-2:IDAccessories
`1 B-2:IDAdaptec EZ-SCSI 5.0
`1 13-2:ID Microsoft Office
`1 1!1-2:ID Netscape Communicator
`$-e!D Desktop Shortcuts
`m-eE3Ms-dos_6(C:)
`$·2:ID Adobe
`1--2:IDDos
`[--O~helpfiles
`Program Files
`l!J·
`Rec cled
`:··
`i··2JD canLA
`S·i2IE31D:
`1 $·00 Acrobat3
`(cid:141)
`
`object s
`
`(cid:141)
`
`•
`
`!contents of ScanLAN
`Name
`Size
`0 l2!J Aspiinst.exe 174KB
`0 I§ Readme.txt
`5KB
`0~ ScanLAN.isu 3KB
`0 t,1 Sclient.exe
`134KB
`0 ~ Sserver.cnt
`1KB
`499KB
`0 ~ Sserver.exe
`0.Sserver.hlp
`85KB
`
`T e
`Application
`Text Docume
`ISU File
`Application
`Help Conten
`Application
`Help File
`
`"""
`
`(cid:141)
`
`(cid:141)
`
`FIG.5B
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 8 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`350
`J
`
`f
`
`352
`.,J
`
`I
`
`GENESIS (REZOOM)
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`---...
`Learn About Genesis ~62
`• Installation video 364
`• Using Software Demo
`Start Using Genesis ---...
`• Prepare Media 366
`• File Section
`• Scheduling
`Get Help ---...
`368
`• Help Search Engine
`• Help Index
`Contact Adaptec ---...
`•Internet Site 370
`•Telephone Support
`
`IADAPTEcl
`Prep.WIZARD
`HOME PAGE
`l/
`---...
`I/
`366
`I/
`I' @ Learn About Genesis
`---...
`I'
`364
`/ @ Start Using Genesis
`---...
`/
`366
`V
`@ Get Help ---...
`V
`l/
`368
`I/ ® Contact Adaptec
`---...
`V
`370
`V
`I/
`I/
`/
`/
`/
`
`llsTARTII IIGENEs1sl~354
`
`\358
`
`\360
`
`356 '------
`
`FIG.6A
`
`%
`'' ,,
`-G::
`'1 Ii'
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 9 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`350
`)
`I
`
`353
`,)
`
`I
`
`IADAPTECI
`SPARETIRE WIZARD
`GENESIS (REZOOM)
`HOME PAGE
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`V
`..___ 362 V
`..___
`Details of Sy:stem Failure V
`366
`• Hard Drive Failure j55 v @ Details of System Failure
`..___
`•Other System Failure V
`355
`V @ Attempt Repair
`Attemgt Regair..___
`..___
`V
`357
`• Results
`357
`V
`v ® Repair Hard ~ive
`Pregare Hard Drive ..__,.359
`359
`V
`• Status
`V @ Perform Restore
`Perform Restore ..___
`..___
`V
`361
`361
`V
`• Results
`V
`V
`V
`V
`
`~
`
`I
`
`'358'
`
`360'
`
`356 '--..
`
`llsTARTII IIGENEs1sl~354
`
`FIG.6B
`
`/4
`,,,,
`-G-=-
`-
`...
`,..,. I
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 10 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`400
`
`✓
`
`Begin
`installation
`
`Install
`
`N
`
`406
`Install Genesis software ...,._-1
`
`414
`Remove
`Genesis
`sofware
`
`N
`
`Trouble
`shoot
`
`410
`
`ASPI for Win32 and
`miniport driver updated
`
`Set Genesis to start
`prep. wizard on start-up
`
`Re-boot system
`
`416
`
`418
`
`420
`
`FIG.7
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 11 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`software
`installed
`
`N
`
`424
`Perform
`install
`again
`
`426
`
`Re-boot 14------,
`
`428
`
`Verify that hardware
`is connected
`
`434
`
`Run ASPIINST
`&MINIPORT
`programs
`
`N
`
`456
`
`Trouble
`shoot
`
`N
`
`460
`
`Error with
`hardware
`consult
`hardware
`
`N
`
`Test media of peripheral
`stora e device
`
`462
`
`466
`Suggest/
`perform
`format
`
`Done
`
`FIG.8
`
`What else
`could fail
`
`468
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 12 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`Prepare media of a peripheral
`storage device cartridge
`
`~70
`
`474
`
`Prompt user
`for cartridge
`
`N
`
`N
`
`y
`
`478
`
`Ask user if the cartridge can
`be erased and used for
`Genesis only
`
`y
`
`480
`
`Prompt user for
`another cartridge
`
`N
`
`482
`
`y
`
`484
`
`Erase cartridge
`media
`
`486
`
`Cartridge ready for
`Genesis formatting
`
`Done
`
`FIG.9
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 13 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`Convert cartridge into
`a Genesis cartridge
`
`Implement X-File viewer control to collect
`backup set and check for capacity
`
`Store backup set into a file database
`
`Determine number of logical, local
`hard drives on host computer system
`
`Partition cartridge media to match number
`of logical local hard drives, after making
`peripheral storage device a fixed partition
`
`500
`
`I
`
`502
`
`506
`
`508
`
`Format each partition in same
`scheme as the drive it represents
`(i.e.,FAT16,32,NTFS)
`
`512
`
`Diagnose problem
`
`518
`
`Diagnose problem
`
`Write Genesis ID to
`media
`
`Get media serial #
`
`20
`
`522
`
`524
`
`526
`
`FIG.10A
`
`Write media serial # and
`Genesis ID to registry file~~
`of host computer system
`
`Media is now a
`Genesis ready
`cartrid e
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 14 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`Host Computer System A
`
`A: Floppy Drive
`
`B: Hard Drive - - - - (cid:173)
`
`C: CD-ROM DRIVE
`
`D: Peripheral Storage Device
`(i.e., extra hard Drive)
`
`FIG.108
`
`Host Computer System B
`
`A: Floppy Drive
`
`B: Hard Drive
`
`}
`
`C: Hard Drive
`
`527
`
`D: Hard Drive
`
`} 528
`
`E: CD-ROM DRIVE
`
`Partition D:
`______ A.._ _ _ _ _
`\
`r
`
`FIG.10C
`
`Partition F:
`_ _ _ _ __,,A.._ _ _ _ _
`\
`r
`
`527a
`
`527b
`
`528
`
`F: Peripheral Storage Device
`(i.e., extra hard Drive)
`
`FIG.10E
`
`FIG.10O
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 15 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`530
`
`/
`
`FIG. 11A
`
`534
`
`GENESIS ID (536/538)
`\
`ADAPTEC [43 BYTES GUID]
`
`FIG. 11B
`
`SERIAL#
`
`GENESIS ID
`
`I
`I MEDIA
`I
`1- - - - - - - - - - - 1
`FIG. 11C
`
`REGISTRY FILE INPUT
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 16 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`Schedule
`
`550 ,
`
`Prompt user for desired
`schedule to run incremental
`backup
`
`552
`
`Start scheduler
`
`554
`
`Collect e-mail info.
`from user
`
`Generate FootPrint
`image file
`
`556
`
`558
`
`562
`
`N
`
`Trouble
`shoot
`
`y
`
`Done
`
`FIG.12
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 17 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`Create spare
`tire
`
`Copy the backup set
`onto the Genesis
`cartridge media
`
`572
`
`570
`
`I
`
`578
`
`576
`
`Retry copying
`failed files
`
`N
`
`No errors detected in
`creation of spare tire
`and tell user that a test
`of spare tire will be
`required
`
`If "Open File" errors
`....-------! present, display reason,
`4
`suggest closing files
`I
`and try again
`I
`I L __ _
`
`584
`
`Other errors
`
`FIG.13
`
`582
`Set value on host
`adapter to force
`auto boot to the
`peripheral storage
`device
`
`586
`
`Hard re-boot host
`computer system
`to the peripheral
`storage device
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 18
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 18 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`600
`
`\
`
`622
`
`614
`
`Run FootPrint
`and make image ~-N--<
`file again
`
`Spare tire
`launch
`
`604
`
`Send test e-mail
`to computer
`support
`
`608
`
`Prompt user to
`re-boot back to
`system hard drive
`610
`
`624
`
`y
`Use FootPrint to analyze
`'\----II~
`system's failure
`
`626
`
`Tell user
`problem
`unknown
`
`N
`
`634
`
`640
`Make
`any
`
`Display problem to user
`
`638
`
`Tell user that
`problem requires
`additional
`trouble shooting
`
`N
`
`628
`
`630
`
`Inform user
`that re-boot
`will occur
`and problem
`is cured
`
`Send computer support
`e-mail for Help
`
`Use system with
`Genesis enabled
`
`642
`
`644
`
`Fix problem
`632
`y
`
`N
`
`650
`
`648
`Continue using system
`with Genesis enabled
`Remind user
`until system is fixed
`~ - - -~~ fu s~m~ - -~~
`
`FIG.14
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 19 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`Boot to peripheral storage
`drive after non-repairable failure
`to system hard drive
`
`/660
`~
`
`665
`
`Use system from
`peripheral storage
`device
`
`N
`
`Change desktop
`bit map to remind
`user to fix hard drive
`
`664
`
`Analyze new hard drive to determine
`if compatible
`
`666
`
`670
`
`Tell user why
`new hard drive
`cannot be used
`
`672
`
`Partition new hard drive to
`previous settings at a minimum
`
`Format new hard drive
`
`Re-boot to peripheral
`storage device
`
`674
`
`676
`
`N
`
`Fix hard
`drive
`
`682
`1---------____,J
`
`684
`
`y
`
`restore new
`hard drive
`to pre-failure
`status
`
`FIG.15
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.20,2001
`
`Sheet 20 of 21
`
`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`Begin
`restore process
`
`,700
`
`Display wizzard to begin
`restore of new hard drive
`
`Perform full restore
`
`702
`
`704
`
`N
`
`708
`
`Perform check on new hard
`drive again and fix any errors
`
`Re-boot system to boot from
`new hard drive
`
`710
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`
`FIG.16
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 21
`
`

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`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 22
`
`

`

`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`1
`INTELLIGENT BACKUP AND RESTORING
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`IMPLEMENTING THE SAME
`
`CROSS REFERENCE To RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`Patent Application having U.S. Ser. No. 60/075,687, filed on
`Feb. 24, 1998, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`DATA BACKUP ANA DATA RESTORING AFTER STOR(cid:173)
`AGE DRIVE FAILURES," which is hereby incorporated by
`reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates generally to intelligent backup
`systems, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for
`intelligently backing up selected data from a host comput(cid:173)
`er's main storage drive to prevent loss of data or user 20
`productivity.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`In recent years, personal computers have become an
`integral necessity in both the work and home environment.
`For many people, personal computers have become their
`main communication system, which can be used for sending
`and receiving electronic mail (i.e., e-mail), transferring files
`over a local area network (LAN), and communicating over
`the world wide web via the Internet. Because people have
`placed such a high level of dependence on their personal
`computers, when a failure (i.e., crash) to either a hardware
`or software component occurs, the user will generally suffer
`greatly in terms of productivity loss.
`Many times, failures to either hardware or software com(cid:173)
`ponents can lead to the complete loss of personal data, which
`many times cannot be recovered using standard data recov(cid:173)
`ery tools. In efforts to remedy the severity of such data loss,
`many people perform routine backups of there entire hard
`drives or files. In this manner, if an unrecoverable failure
`were to occur, the user would only lose the data that was
`created between the last backup operation and the unrecov(cid:173)
`erable failure.
`Unfortunately, relying on periodic backups of a comput(cid:173)
`er's storage drives (i.e., hard drives) does not eliminate the 45
`loss in productivity suffered while the failure is being
`attended to, and the need to reconstruct all of the lost data
`that was created between the last backup and the failure. To
`further complicate the reconstruction process, most of
`today's computer software products have to be installed 50
`using complex installation software that is designed to place
`each component of the software product in the correct
`system folder location, registry file, startup files, etc., in
`order to preserve proper functionality with the computer's
`operating system. As a result, even though the entire con- 55
`tents of a backup can be retrieved from the backup media,
`the restoring of a subsequently repaired storage drive will
`require a substantial amount of reconstruction.
`Although the restoration of failed storage devices can
`sometimes be a trivial process when only a minor number of 60
`programs are re-installed onto the failed computer system,
`most of today's computer systems use a wide number of
`programs, each requiring custom installation for proper
`operation. Furthermore, because most computer users
`purchase, update and modify computer programs over the 65
`Internet, it is often impossible to reconstruct the original
`state of all programs, patches or executables that are loaded
`
`2
`onto a computer without keeping detailed logs of where each
`component was acquired. As a result, when attempts to
`reconstruct a user's computer system are attempted, many of
`the originally installed software programs or components
`5 may not be installed because they are no longer available or
`supported by the original supplier.
`In spite of the fact that most failures that are a result of a
`hardware malfunction or a software problem can be fixed,
`either by complete replacement or by performing repairs,
`10 users still experience data losses that produce harsh penalties
`in productivity or require significant down time. That is,
`even if users systematically backs up their system regularly,
`some amount of data will be lost between the time of the last
`back up and the subsequent restoration. In certain
`15 circumstances, even if only a small amount of data is lost,
`that small amount may translate into many hours of recon(cid:173)
`struction time. Furthermore, if the lost data was a time
`sensitive piece of data, reconstruction over many hours or
`days may not be acceptable.
`In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an intelligent
`backup system and method for implementing the system to
`protect data of a computer's storage drive in case a system
`failure occurs. There is also a need for a system and a
`method for implementing the system that will enable a user
`25 to continue working from the intelligently backed-up data
`after a system failure occurs, and then restore the failed
`system after the system failure is intelligently identified and
`repaired.
`
`30
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Broadly speaking, the present invention fills these needs
`by providing an intelligent backup and restore system that
`prevents downtime productivity losses, and assists the user
`in trouble shooting the failure, repairing the failure if
`35 possible, and restoring the failed system back to its pre(cid:173)
`failure condition. All of these functionalities are provided to
`the user through a user friendly graphical user interface that
`helps the user resume his or her normal computer use by
`booting to a peripheral storage device ( that holds an intel-
`40 ligently backup data set) while the failure is remedied. It
`should be appreciated that the present invention can be
`implemented in numerous ways, including as a process, an
`apparatus, a system, a device, a method, or a computer
`readable medium. Several inventive embodiments of the
`present invention are described below.
`In one embodiment, a method for protecting data of a
`computer system is disclosed. The method includes: (a)
`connecting a peripheral storage device to the computer
`system; (b) preparing a storage media of the peripheral
`storage device to be a protection enabled media; (c) select(cid:173)
`ing a backup set of data stored in a hard drive of the
`computer system, the backup set of data includes a default
`set of boot files and operating system files; ( d) creating a
`spare tire by copying the backup set of data from the hard
`drive of the computer system to the storage media of the
`peripheral storage device using a file-based copying scheme;
`( e) enabling peripheral storage device to incrementally copy
`portions of the backup set of data from the hard drive of the
`computer system during normal use; (f) determining
`whether a failure occurs with the hard drive that disables
`booting to the hard drive; and (g) booting the computer
`system from the peripheral storage device using the spare
`tire. In this manner, the user can resume uninterrupted work
`from the peripheral storage device while the hard drive
`failure is repaired.
`In another embodiment, a system is disclosed for protect(cid:173)
`ing a user's productivity upon detecting a failure with a
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 23
`
`

`

`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`3
`storage media of the user's computer system, and the
`computer system has a peripheral storage device connected
`thereto. The system includes a removable storage media that
`is configured to be placed into the peripheral storage device.
`The removable storage media is formatted to be a protection
`enabled media and is configured to contain a backup set of
`data including a default set of boot files and operating
`system files, and the backup set of data is substantially
`continuously backed up on a schedule. The system further
`includes a spare tire launcher that may be launched when the
`failure with the storage media of the user's computer system
`occurs to enable the user to re-boot to the peripheral storage
`device which contains a selected duplicate image of contents
`of the storage media of the user's computer system.
`In yet a further embodiment, an apparatus for protecting
`data of a computer system that has a peripheral storage
`device connected thereto is disclosed. The apparatus
`includes: (a) means for preparing a storage media of the
`peripheral storage device to be a protection enabled media;
`(b) means for selecting a backup set of data stored in a hard
`drive of the computer system, the backup set of data includes
`a default set of boot files and operating system files; ( c)
`means for creating a spare tire backup set by performing a
`file-based copying operation that transfers the backup set of
`data to the storage media of the peripheral storage device
`even when the storage media of the peripheral storage
`device is different than a media of the hard drive; ( d) means
`for enabling peripheral storage device to incrementally copy
`portions of the backup set of data from the hard drive of the
`computer system during normal use after the means for
`creating the spare tire is complete; ( e) means for determining
`whether a failure occurs with the hard drive that disables
`booting to the hard drive; and (f) means for booting the
`computer system from the peripheral storage device.
`In still another embodiment, a computer readable media
`containing program instructions for protecting data of a
`computer system that has a peripheral storage device con(cid:173)
`nected thereto is disclosed. The computer readable media
`contains: (a) program instructions for causing preparation of
`a storage media of the peripheral storage device to be a 40
`protection enabled media; (b) program instructions for
`enabling a selection of a backup set of data stored in a hard
`drive of the computer system, the backup set of data includes
`a default set of boot files and operating system files; ( c)
`program instructions for enabling a generation of a spare tire 45
`backup that includes the backup set of data to the storage
`media of the peripheral storage device; ( d) program instruc(cid:173)
`tions for enabling the peripheral storage device to incremen(cid:173)
`tally copy portions of the backup set of data from the hard
`drive of the computer system during normal use; and ( e) 50
`program instructions that enable booting the computer sys(cid:173)
`tem from the peripheral storage device when a failure occurs
`with the hard drive that disables booting to the hard drive.
`In another embodiment, a system for protecting data
`stored in a primary hard disk drive of a computer system is 55
`disclosed. The method includes: (a) connecting a secondary
`peripheral storage device to the computer system; (b) pre(cid:173)
`paring a storage media of the secondary peripheral storage
`device to be a protection enabled media; ( c) selecting a
`backup set of data stored in the primary hard disk drive of 60
`the computer system, and the backup set of data includes a
`default set of boot files and operating system files; ( d)
`creating a spare tire backup by performing a file-based
`copying operation of the backup set of data from the primary
`hard disk drive of the computer system to the storage media 65
`of the secondary peripheral storage device; ( e) enabling the
`secondary peripheral storage device to incrementally copy
`
`4
`portions of the backup set of data from the primary hard disk
`drive of the computer system during normal use; and (f)
`booting the computer system from the secondary peripheral
`storage device when a failure occurs with the primary hard
`5 disk drive which is detected by a system BIOS of the
`computer system.
`A system for protecting a user's productivity upon detect(cid:173)
`ing a failure with a storage media of the user's computer
`system is also disclosed in another embodiment. The system
`10 includes a secondary peripheral storage device having a
`storage media that is formatted to be a protection enabled
`media and contains a backup set of data including a default
`set of boot files and operating system files. The backup set
`of data is configured to be substantially continuously backed
`15 up on a schedule. The system also includes a host adapter
`BIOS that is configured to receive an indication from a
`system BIOS that the failure has occurred with the storage
`media of the user's computer system. The host adapter BIOS
`is further configured to provide an option of re-booting the
`20 user's computer system from the secondary peripheral stor(cid:173)
`age device. The system further includes a computer user
`interface for providing options of repairing the storage
`media, restoring the storage media, or continue working
`from the secondary peripheral storage device until the
`25 storage media is repaired and restored.
`Yet another embodiment of a system for protecting a
`user's productivity upon detecting a failure with a storage
`media of a primary drive of the user's computer system is
`disclosed. The system includes a secondary peripheral stor-
`30 age device having a storage media that is formatted to be a
`protection enabled media and contains a backup set of data.
`The backup set of date includes a default set of boot files and
`operating system files, and the backup set of data is inter(cid:173)
`vally backed up. The primary drive has a modified MER
`35 sector, a signature on a second sector following the modified
`MER sector, and a continuation of a boot management code
`that is also within the modified MER sector. The continu(cid:173)
`ation of the boot management code is contained in sectors
`beginning with a third sector following the second sector
`counting in an LEA format. In this manner, when the failure
`occurs with the primary drive, the boot management code
`will identify drives connected to the computer system and
`enable booting to the secondary peripheral storage device
`upon re-boot.
`Advantageously, the backup and restore system of the
`present invention is designed to intelligently protect a user's
`data and productivity upon experiencing a hard disk failure.
`In one embodiment, once the backup and restore system is
`installed and set-up, the backup operations are performed in
`an incremental fashion ( e.g., after the initial full backup,
`only those files that have changed from one backup to
`another will be backed up) to a peripheral storage device
`media. It should be appreciated that this incremental backup
`technique provides a powerful level of performance
`enhancement over conventional backup systems.
`Most importantly, the intelligent backup and restore sys(cid:173)
`tem of the present invention will substantially eliminate the
`tremendous downtime that is typical of when a hard disk
`crash is experienced and no backup or simple conventional
`backup techniques are used. As a result, user productivity
`will no longer suffer when hard disk failures occur. In
`addition, the embodiments of the present invention also
`assist the user in attempting to repair of the crashed hard
`disk. However, if the crashed hard disk is not repairable, the
`system will automatically detect when a new hard disk is
`added to the user's system, and then assists in partitioning
`and formatting the hard disk for the user. When a new hard
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1018, p. 24
`
`

`

`US 6,205,527 Bl
`
`5
`disk is prepared or the old hard disk is repaired, the system
`will restore the operating system and data files to their
`current state as now present on the peripheral storage device
`media. Upon re-booting, the newly restored hard disk will
`once again become the boot device. Another advantage of 5
`the present invention is that the peripheral storage device
`media does not have to be identical to that of the system's
`hard drive. M