Prevent and solve problems in windows XP

vandana43 · 03-06-2008, 07:05 AM

When Windows XP starts up, it is not just the operating system that launches -lots of drivers, programs and software services are also loaded. It's no surprise, then, that the majority of startup problems in Windows can be attributed to items configured to start automatically. Windows XP's built-in System Configuration Utility (also known as MSConfig) can be used to take control ofthese items and make it possible to home in on those which may be causing problems. By disabling one item at a time troubleshooting can be performed, and MSConfig provides easy access to useful tools such as System Restore and Safe Mode that can prove helpful in fixing problems.

STEP 1

NOTE THAT THIS IS a Level Three Workshop and, as such, is not recommended for novices. Do not follow this Workshop if you are not a confident user.The System Configuration Utility,or MSConfig, can be accessed in a couple of ways - either by using the Run command or by creating a shortcut. Click the Start button followed by Run (or press the Windows key and R simultaneously). Now type'msconfig' (without the quotes) and press Enter.To make it easier to access the tool in future, right-click the Desktop and select New followed by Shortcut. In the box labelled 'Type the location of the item; type 'C:\ Wi ndows\pchea Ith \hel pctr\bi na ries\msconfig.exe' (without the encircling quote marks) and click Next before typing a name for the shortcut and pressing Enter.

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vandana43 · 03-06-2008, 07:08 AM

STEP 2

ON THE GENERAL TAB, the Normal Startup option is selected by default, and this causes Windows to launch with a standard set of startup items, services and drivers. If you are experiencing problems with Windows, or need to uninstall a troublesome driver, it is possible to launch Windows in a stripped-down mode.To do this, select the Diagnostic Startup option and click OK followed by Restart¬Windows will then start with a minimum set of components and will revert to a different look. After making any necessary changes to the computer, fire up MSConfig once more and res elect the Normal Startup option.

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vandana43 · 03-06-2008, 07:10 AM

STEP 3

THE SELECTIVE STARTUP OPTION provides an easy way to help home in on the cause of computer problems, in particular those relating to startup. After selecting this option on the General tab,it is then possible to specify which types of startup items should be automatically launched with Windows:using this method a problem area can be identified.Try unticking one item before restarting Windows. Do this methodically, noting which startup items seems to be causing problems. It's a slow, dull process but it can be very beneficial if your PC has problems starting.

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vandana43 · 03-06-2008, 07:16 AM

STEP 4

MSCONFIG CAN ALSO BE used to access Windows XP's System Restore facility. Click the Launch System Restore button on the General tab and it is then possible to roll back Windows to a previous configuration. This can prove useful if the installation of a program or piece of hardware has led to startup problems,as Windows can be restored to a time before the installation took place, eliminating the culprit. It can also help to recover a computer from a spyware or virus infection - but be aware that System Restore is far from a cure-all.

vandana43 · 03-06-2008, 07:19 AM

STEP 5

SHOULD WINDOWS EVER START to complain about a missing or corrupt system file, MSConfig can be used to copy the necessary file from an XP installation CD. Many installation files are stored in a compressed format and it can therefore be difficult to copy it to the hard disk manually.On the General tab, click the Expand File button and use the three buttons to the right of the dialogue box to select which file should be copied and then click the Expand button to startthe copying process.

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vandana43 · 03-06-2008, 07:21 AM

STEP 6

THE SYSTEM.INI TAB MAKES it possible to make changes to a special file called, appropriately enough, System.ini. While this is now bordering on redundancy, some older items of hardware still need the file to configure various options.The System.ini file is a hangover from older versions of Windows before the Registry was used to store complicated system information, but if a hardware device referred by the System.ini file is causing problems, it can be disabled by unticking the box next to the relevant entry. It is also possible to completely delete entries or create new ones as required.

vandana43 · 03-06-2008, 07:23 AM

STEP 7

MOVING TO THE WIN.INI tab reveals another old file from previous versions of Windows Win.ini.This file can be used to automatically run programs when Windows launches and can therefore be used to disable items which may be causing problems. As with the System.ini file, items can be disabled by clearing ticks from the relevant checkboxes,edited as required or completely deleted. However, it will be a rare occasion indeed when Win.ini needs to be edited.

vandana43 · 03-06-2008, 07:24 AM

STEP 8

THE BOOT.INI TAB CAN be used to make changes to the Bootini file, which is used byWindows XP to configure various startup options. At the top of the dialogue box is a list of all the versions of Windows which are currently installed look in the'loperating systems]'section.lfWindows XP is being dualbooted with another version of Windows there will be multiple entries here, but in most cases there will only be one line referring to Windows XP itself. Click the Check All Boot Paths button to ensure that each version of Windows is correctly referenced.

vandana43 · 03-06-2008, 07:25 AM

STEP 9

IF MULTIPLE VERSIONS OF Windows are installed, the'Set as Default' button can be used to indicate which version should be started up by default. Using the Move Up and Move Down buttons, it is possible to change the order in which operating systems are displayed in the startup menu which is displayed on a dual-boot computer.The Timeout box can be edited to change the number of seconds this startup menu should be displayed before the default operating system is loaded.

vandana43 · 03-06-2008, 07:25 AM

STEP 10

SAFE MODE IS A useful feature of Windows that can be used to bypass a variety of different problems. By starting Windows with an absolute minimum of drivers loaded, it may be possible to start an otherwise unbootable computer and take steps to fix problems. Accessing Safe Mode usually requires that the F8 key is pressed soon after the PC is powered, but by selecting the /SAFEBOOT option in the Boot Options section, Windows will automatically start in Safe Mode when it next launches.