Windows XP / Beginners

Using MSCONFIG

MSCONFIG, or System Configuration Utility, is a tool that you can use to manage system components, startup, as well as several services. You can open MSCONFIG by clicking Start | Run and typing msconfig in the provided dialog box. Click OK. The MSCONFIG utility opens and gives you several tabs, which are explained in the following sections.

General Tab

On the General tab you can choose how you want Windows to start. Normal Startup is the typical selection, but you can choose Diagnostic Startup, where only basic drivers and services are started, or Selective Startup, where you determine what processes and services to load. These features are all helpful if you need to troubleshoot startup.

System.ini and Win.ini Tabs

The System.ini tab and Win.ini tab allow you to modify the contents of system.ini and win.ini respectively. You can adjust the order of the file, disable and enable items, and create new time settings. Before making changes to these files, make sure you have specific troubleshooting goals in mind, and see the Windows Help and Support Center for more information about the files.

Boot.ini Tab

The Boot.ini tab shows you the contents of the boot.ini file, so this tab is basically a graphical interface to adjust this file. You can invoke different boot options, and you also check all of the boot paths. There are also advanced options so that you can manage memory usage and debug. The boot options are simply your Safe Mode options.

Services Tab

The Services tab lists the services that start at startup. You can disable any services that are not necessary or that you believe are causing problems, but make sure you understand what the service does and how it impacts other services before disabling it. Again, this can be a great troubleshooting tool to solve boot problems.

Startup Tab

The Startup tab lists the commands that run at startup. You can disable any that are not necessary, but as with the Services tab, make sure you have a specific troubleshooting plan in mind before you disable any of them.

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In this tutorial:

  1. Windows XP Troubleshooting
  2. Using System Information
  3. Software Environment
  4. System Information Tools
  5. Solving Problems
  6. Using Windows Help
  7. Searching Windows Help
  8. Using Safe Mode
  9. Windows XP Using System Restore
  10. Using Restore Points
  11. Running System Restore
  12. Working with the Recovery Console
  13. Troubleshooting Windows Stop Errors
  14. Using MSCONFIG
  15. Checking Event Viewer