How to troubleshoot configuration errors by using the System Configuration utility in Windows XP

How to troubleshoot configuration errors by using the System Configuration utility in Windows XP

Summary

This content explains how to repair settings mistakes in Microsof company windows XP by using the Program Configuration application (Msconfig.exe). The Program Configuration application helps you find problems with your Microsof company windows XP settings. It does not manage the applications that run when Microsof company windows begins.

For more information about limiting or completely eliminating the applications that run when Microsof company windows begins, click the following content number to view the content in the Microsof company Knowledge Base:
270035 How to turn off applications that run when you start Microsof company windows XP Home Version or Microsof company windows Windows vista  

Advanced troubleshooting

 The Program Configurations application performs the schedule problem solving actions that Microsof company Client Support Services experts use when they identify system configuration problems. When you use this application to alter it configuration, you can choose check containers to remove problems that do not apply to your configuration. This process decreases the risk of writing mistakes that you may make when you use any written text manager, such as Note pad. You must be signed on as an manager or as a participant of the Directors team to use the Program Configurations application.

When you use the Program Configurations application, you can easily totally reset or change the configuration settings in Microsoft windows to include choices for the following information and settings:
  • The System.ini file
  • The Win.ini file
  • The Boot.ini file
  • Programs that are set to load during the startup process (these programs are specified in the Startup folder and in the registry)
  • Environment settings
  • International settings
There are two methods for troubleshooting configuration issues by using the System Configuration utility. Read each method carefully to understand the consequences of each method.

Method 1: Diagnostic and Selection startup modes

Diagnostic startup

 Analytic start-up allows Microsoft windows to figure out the primary system motorists and software to fill when you start Microsoft windows. When you use this technique, the program momentarily hinders Microsof company services such as Social media, Connect and Play, Occasion Signing, and Mistake Confirming. Also, you completely remove all recover factors for the System Restore application.

Note Do not use this technique if you want to save your recover factors for System Restore or if you must use a Microsof company service to analyze a problem.

To execute a diagnostic start-up, adhere to these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
  2. On the General tab, click Diagnostic Startup, and then click OK.
  3. Restart your computer.
If the problem does not occur, use Selective startup mode to try to find the problem by turning individual services and startup programs on or off.

Selective startup

 Particular start-up enables you to choose the data files and the configurations that you want the pc to load when you reboot the pc. Decide upon the following options:
  • Process System.ini File
  • Process Win.ini file
  • Load System Services
  • Load Startup Items
By default, no options are selected. The following actions apply to these options:
  • When you select the check box, the configuration file is processed when you restart the computer.
  • When you clear the check box, the configuration file is not processed when you restart the computer.
  • When the check box is selected, and you cannot select the check box because it appears dimmed, some items are still loading from that configuration file when you restart the computer.
  • When the check box is not selected, and you cannot select the check box because it appears dimmed, the configuration file is not present on the computer.
  • You cannot change the Use Original BOOT.INI option button.
Observe When you obvious the Fill Program Solutions examine box, you turn off Microsof company services such as Social media, Connect and Play, Event Signing, and Mistake Confirming. You also completely remove all recover factors for the Program Restore application. Do not obvious this examine box if you want to keep your recover factors for Program Restore, or if you have to use a Microsof company service to test a problem.

 To perform a selective startup, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
  2. On the General tab, click Selective Startup.
  3. Select or clear the available settings.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Restart your computer.
  6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 until you find the problem.

Change individual file settings

 If you know the different settings in each configuration file, you can enable or disable individual settings in the file that has the tab for that file in the System Configuration utility. To prevent individual items in a configuration file from loading when you restart your computer, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
  2. Click a tab: System.ini, Win.ini, Boot.ini, Services, or Startup.
  3. Select or clear the available settings.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Restart your computer.
  6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 until you find the problem.

System.ini and Win.ini options

The SYSTEM.INI and WIN.INI tabs in the System Configuration utility have the following options:
  • Check boxes enable you to enable or to disable an option. To enable an option so that it loads at startup, select the check box or select the option, and then click the Select button. To disable an option so that it does not load at startup, clear the check box or select the option, and then click the Disable button.
  • Move Up and Move Down buttons enable you to move through the different options when you do not have a mouse.
  • The New button enables you to create a new entry in the System.ini or in the Win.ini file. Click the button, and type your entry.
  • The Edit button enables you to edit an existing line in the System.ini or in the Win.ini file. Click the button, and edit the line.
 When a check box is unavailable on the SYSTEM.INI and WIN.INI tabs, the System Configuration utility temporarily removed the lines.

Note When you click to clear a check box for an item or a line, the Selective Startup option on the General tab is automatically selected.

Manually extract a file

If you have to fix a corrupted file, extract the individual Windows file from the CAB files. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
  2. On the General tab, click Expand File.
  3. In the File to restore box, type the name of the file that you want to restore.
  4. In the Restore from box, type the path of the Windows XP .cab file from which you want to restore the file. Or, click Browse From to locate the Windows XP .cab file.

    Note The Windows XP .cab files are stored in the I386 folder on the Windows XP installation CD.
  5. In the Save file in box, type the path of the folder to which you want to extract the new file. Or, click Browse To to locate the folder that you want.
  6. Click Expand.
  7. In the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click OK. If you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart.

Return to normal startup

After you complete your troubleshooting and fix your configuration, return to a normal startup. Follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
  2. On the General tab, click Normal startup.
  3. Click OK.
  4. Restart your computer.

Method 2: System restore

You can use the System Configuration utility to perform a system restore. There are three possible restore points:
  • System checkpoints that Windows schedules
  • Manual restore points that you specify with the System Configuration utility
  • Installation restore points that occur before you install a program or a service
You can use the system checkpoints or the installation restore points to restore your computer's settings to a date when it operated correctly. This may also help determine the cause of the configuration error.

To perform a system restore, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
  2. On the General tab, click Launch System Restore.
  3. Select Restore my computer to an earlier time, and then click Next.
  4. Calendar dates in bold are possible restore points. Click the most recent one to view system restore information.
  5. Select a system checkpoint or an installation restore point, and then click Next.
  6. Close all other programs.
  7. To start the system restore, click Next.
  8. Your computer restarts.
  9. Repeat steps 1 through 8 until you fix your configuration issue.
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