Computer for controlling a machine, especially a printing press

摘要

The invention relates to a user verification system for a personal computer. In a preferred embodiment, the verification system is used to limit access to an operating system for the personal computer used to control a printing press. Access to the operating system is gained through a certification process which reads an identification code on a floppy disk placed in the floppy disk drive for the computer. Access to the operating system and other protected facilities of the computer is gained by inserting a pre-recorded disk into the floppy disk drive prior to booting the computer. The identification code or password is read by a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) procedure during start-up. If a valid identification code is not sensed by the BIOS procedure, then the operator will be denied access to the protected facilities of the computer. If a valid identification code is sensed on the floppy disk, the degree access to the computer facilities is based upon additional information encoded upon the floppy disk drive.