Sherif M Kottapurath

6553490, Apr 22, 2003

Jun 30, 1997

08/885393

Sherif Kottapurath - Culver City CA
Jordan Brown - Sylmar CA

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

G06F 15177

713 2, 713 1, 713100

A local computer stores a current program such as an operating system or an application. A network server stores a latest program which is a latest version of the current program, and an identifier program for generating an identification corresponding to the latest program upon interrogation. An updater program is alternatively stored on the local computer or the network server for causing the latest program to be transferred from the network server to the local computer and replace the current computer program. The current program and the latest program each include a startup program configured to interrogate the identifier program, determine if the identification corresponds to the current program, and if the identification does not correspond to the current program, run the updater program.

59530103, Sep 14, 1999

Aug 1, 1997

8/904704

Mark Kampe - Los Angeles CA
Jordan Brown - Sylmar CA
Sherif Kottapurath - Los Angeles CA
Jonathan Broome - Long Beach CA

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

G06F 314
G06F 9445

345348

A computer system program including an operating system and a plurality of system service modules generates a number of status messages representing selected milestone events while it is being loaded and run, including progress advisories and technical advisories. User-friendly icons are displayed on a display monitor in response to the progress advisories, indicating which milestone event is occurring and how much of the event has been completed. If there is a failure in loading the system program, a user can provide service personnel with an accurate evaluation of the system condition by reporting which icon was displayed last on the monitor. Technical advisories such as audit records which are not relevant to a user are stored as entries in a silent log for possible later use by service personnel. In response to a technical advisory indicating a partial or fatal load failure, a iconic or text message is displayed which instructs a user to take one or more actions, such as reporting the failure to a system administrator or service center.