Multi-OS Switching via RAM Context Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-OS computer switching methods are inefficient, requiring lengthy restart processes and loss of running environment information, resulting in excessive switching times and inability to preserve user context between operating systems.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes data exchange regions in RAM or nonvolatile memory to store and restore operating system running environment information, allowing for direct execution of the new OS without hardware initialization or disk detection, enabling faster switching and preservation of user context.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the computer restarts BIOS and detects hard disk for each OS switching, then the OS can be properly initialized and loaded, but the switching time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-loading the selected OS into RAM during the boot process before the user needs to switch. The system maintains a buffer in RAM that contains the OS image, allowing rapid switching without repeated hard disk detection and initialization. This pre-preparation of the OS in memory eliminates the time-consuming restart cycle while ensuring the OS is ready for immediate execution.
2Reliability
If the computer performs full restart process for OS switching, then hardware devices are properly initialized, but running environment information cannot be saved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical running environment information (context) from the full restart process and separates it as a distinct saveable component. Instead of losing context during restart, the system captures the current hardware state and environment data, stores it in the RAM buffer, and restores it when switching back to the same OS. This extraction allows the OS switching to occur without repeated hardware initialization while preserving all running environment information.
3Reliability
If BIOS initializes hardware devices and detects hard disk for each OS switch, then the system ensures proper OS loading, but the switching process becomes equivalent to computer restart
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating a copy of the OS image in RAM during the initial boot process. Instead of repeatedly copying the OS from the hard disk during switching, the system maintains a cached copy in RAM that can be rapidly loaded. This copying approach eliminates the need for repeated hard disk detection and BIOS initialization, transforming the switching process from a full restart equivalent to a rapid memory load operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer multi-OS switching method, in which a data exchange region for storing OS running environment information is provided, wherein the method includes: A. saving running information of computer hardware devices in a random access memory (RAM) by the computer after receiving a command for switching OS; B. obtaining OS running environment information of OS to be switched to from the data exchange region and storing the obtained OS running environment information in the RAM by the computer; C. restoring running state of the computer hardware devices based on its running information stored in the RAM, obtaining a preset OS to be switched to, starting the OS and subsequently executing the OS running environment information in the RAM by the computer. The method reduces the time for switching between multi-OSs in a computer.