All about Using MSConfig in Windows XP

If you use Windows XP operating system, it is necessary to know that there is a System Configuration Utility in windows XP, which is also referred to as MSConfig. The utility can be run by the users by hitting the Windows key as well as the “R” alphabet key together for opening the run dialog and then typing “msconfig” and pressing the Enter key. The utility is handy in troubleshooting the windows XP problems. There are many sections used in System Configuration Utility.

General

The General section of MSConfig comes with 3 options, which are normal startup, selective startup and diagnostic startup. Normal startup enables all the services and drivers to load, the selective startup option is for helping the user choose manually what has to load during startup and what must be excluded, and the diagnostic startup option is selected for loading just the basic minimum drivers and services. There are also 2 buttons in the General section; the Expand button enables the expansion of a cab archived file and the Launch Restore button is hit for launching the System Restore.

System.ini and Win.ini

System.ini and Win.ini sections offer an advanced editor for the system.ini and win.ini files. These files are not much used by Windows XP for startup processes. When drivers and files are trying to load at startup using the old methods and causing problems, these sections can be used for modifying the entries.

Boot.ini

The boot.ini file can be edited and modified by using the Boot.ini section. The boot.ini file displays the boot menu at startup of your machine. The file controls the ways Windows is loaded. The file is not used when the user is dual booting Windows XP with Windows 7 or Windows Vista. This particular section has several options as it lets you select/safeboot when you automatically want to boot into the Safe Mode. When the user selects /noguiboot or /sos, the Windows logo does not show when Windows boots, but various messages are displayed. The /bootlog option helps Windows create a log file whenever Windows boots. The /basevideo options enables Windows use a standard VGA driver that stops it from loading any graphic card drivers.

Services

This is the section that enables the Windows XP user to know the services that are being run at the startup of Windows. Any service can be enabled or disabled by the users, if they think that a service is creating a problem.

Startup

This is the section that allows the user to know what programs are being loaded at the computer startup. Programs can be enabled or disabled for diagnostic purposes; make sure none of the programs are enabled or disabled permanently using MSConfig.

Tools

This section offers shortcuts to many tools in Windows XP. Just choose the tool you want and click on the button that is labeled Launch for starting that tool.

If you still need help in using windows XP MSConfig, you may contact the computer repair Houston service for operating system support.