n8243274@henson.cc.wwu.edu (steven l. odegard) (06/05/91)
I desire to install a keyed switch to a XT-turbo that will disable write access to the hard disk. This would be similar to sliding the write-protect tab on microfloppies. Also, (Ideally keyed to the same switch), I need a means for preventing the same from powering up for particular situations. I propose a four-position keyed switch as follows: 0: The keyboard lock on the machine is enabled. The machine will not power up the hard-disk. (see I below). I: All read and write access to the hard disk is blocked. The machine on startp will not power up the hard-disk, however if the switch is moved from position II, the disk will not be powered down [it remains idle]. II: All write access requests to the hard disk are blocked. However, the machine will power up the disk if the switch is moved from position I. III: Normal read and write access to the hard-disk is available. The application is a stand-alone data maintenance system. The system will maintain a application log on microfloppies with the switch at II. The design is so that the hard disk cannot be powered down without powering down the whole machine, but can be started with the keyed switch. I am beginning to research the availability of such devices and other factors for hardware implementations of data security. If you have any specific refrences to this particular type of device, please e-mail reply. I will post summary of my research Thursday, 13 June. --SLO -- n8243274@henson.cc.wwu.edu