System and method for automatic password reset

Abstract

The loss of a computer's primary O.S. password, BIOS password, or HDD password (or even an application password) is sensed by a secondary O.S. based on a number of failed log on attempts to the affected component. The password can be reset by having the secondary O.S. generate an intermediate password automatically, verify user authorization, and then make the intermediate password available to, e.g., the primary O.S., so that the affected component can be accessed and its password reset without help desk personnel intervention.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . A service comprising:
 maintaining a count of a number of failed log on attempts;   making the count available to a secondary computer operating system (O.S.), the secondary O.S. being a different O.S. than a primary O.S. used by a computer associated with the log on attempts; and   based at least in part on the relationship of the count with a threshold, using the secondary O.S., selectively generating a password reset signal.   
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . The service of Claim  9 , further comprising resetting the count upon the occurrence of a successful logon attempt. 
   
   
       12 . A system comprising:
 a computer readable medium bearing;   means for maintaining a count of a number of failed log on attempts;   means for making the count available to a secondary computer operating system (O.S.), the secondary O.S. being a different O.S. than a primary O.S. used by a computer associated with the log on attempts; and   means for, executable by the secondary O.S. and based at least in part on the relationship of the count with a threshold, selectively generating a pas-word reset signal.   
   
   
       13 . A service comprising:
 automatically generating an intermediate password using a secondary operating system; and   using the secondary operating system, providing the intermediate password to a primary operating system to reset an operating password associated with at least one of: a primary operating system (O.S.), a hard disk drive (HDD), and a basic input output system (BIOS).   
   
   
       14 . The service of  claim 13 , wherein the act of automatically generating is undertaken in response to a user-generated reset signal. 
   
   
       15 . The service of  claim 13 , wherein the act of automatically generating is undertaken in response to an automatically generated reset signal generated at least in part based on a number of failed log on attempts. 
   
   
       16 . The service of  claim 13 , wherein the BIOS is associated with at least one BIOS password, the BIOS password establishing the operating password. 
   
   
       17 . The service of  claim 13 , wherein the primary O.S. is associated with at least one primary O.S. password, the primary O.S. password establishing the operating password. 
   
   
       18 . The service of  claim 13 , wherein the HDD is associated with at least one HDD password, the HDD password establishing the operating password. 
   
   
       19 . The service of  claim 13 , wherein the secondary O.S. sends the intermediate password to a user and receives back verification of receipt, and then protects the password prior to making the password available to the primary O.S. 
   
   
       20 . The service of  claim 13 , wherein the secondary O.S. makes the intermediate password available to the primary O.S., and wherein the primary O.S. determines when an intermediate password is available upon start up of the primary O.S., and if so, resets at least one password to be the intermediate password. 
   
   
       21 . A computer system for resetting an operating password associated with at least one of a primary operating system (O.S.), a hard disk drive (HDD), and a basic input output system (BIOS), comprising
 a computer readable medium bearing:   means for automatically generating an intermediate password using a secondary operating system; and   means for providing the intermediate password to a primary operating system using the secondary operating system to reset the operating password.