How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP This is a way to take programs out of start up!

View products that this article applies to. This article was previously published under Q310560

SUMMARY
This article describes how to troubleshoot configuration errors in Microsoft utility &Msconfig.e'e(. indows !" by using the #yste$ %onfiguration

MORE INFORMATION
The #yste$ %onfiguration utility auto$ates the routine troubleshooting steps that Microsoft "roduct #upport #ervices #upport "rofessionals use when they diagnose syste$ configuration issues. hen you use this tool to $odify the syste$ configuration) you can select chec* bo'es to eli$inate issues that do not pertain to your configuration. This process reduces the ris* of typing errors that can occur if you use a te't editor such as +otepad. ,ou $ust be logged on as an ad$inistrator or as a $e$ber of the -d$inistrators group to use the #yste$ %onfiguration utility. To start the #yste$ %onfiguration utility) clic* Start) clic* Run) type msconfig in the Open bo') and then clic* OK. hen you use Msconfig.e'e) you can easily reset or change the configuration settings in the following files and settings. The #yste$.ini file indows to include preferences for

The

in.ini file

The /oot.ini file "rogra$s that are set to load during the startup process &these progra$s are specified in the #tartup folder and in the registry( 0nviron$ent settings 1nternational settings

To prevent any of these ite$s fro$ loading when you restart the co$puter) use either of the following $ethods. %lic* the General tab) and then clic* Diagnostic Startup - load basic devices and services only. hen you use this option) device drivers and software are loaded interactively when you restart the co$puter. NOTE. This $ethod te$porarily disables Microsoft services &for e'a$ple) +etwor*ing) "lug and "lay) 0vent 2ogging) and 0rror 3eporting( and per$anently deletes all restore points for the #yste$ 3estore utility. 4o not do this if you want to retain your restore points for #yste$ 3estore or need to use a Microsoft service to test a proble$. 5or5 %lic* the General tab) and then clic* Selective Startup. ,ou can select the options that you do not want to load when you restart the co$puter. These options include. o Process SYSTEM !N! "ile

The following settings apply to these options.

o o o o o

1f the chec* bo' is selected) the configuration file is processed when you restart the co$puter. 1f the chec* bo' is cleared) the configuration file is not processed when you restart the co$puter. 1f the chec* bo' is selected but is unavailable) so$e ite$s are still loading fro$ that configuration file when you restart the co$puter. 1f the chec* bo' is not selected) but is unavailable) the configuration file is not present on the co$puter. ,ou cannot clear the #se Original $OOT !N! chec* bo'.

NOTE. %learing the %oad Syste& Services chec* bo' disables Microsoft services &for e'a$ple) +etwor*ing) "lug and "lay) 0vent 2ogging) and 0rror 3eporting( and per$anently deletes all restore points for the #yste$ 3estore utility. 4o not do this if you want to retain your restore points for #yste$ 3estore or need to use a Microsoft service to test a proble$. /efore you begin a troubleshooting session) you can use the #yste$ %onfiguration utility to initiate a #yste$ 3estore operation. To do this) clic* the General tab) and then clic* %aunc' Syste& Restore. ,ou can then create a restore point that you can use to restore your co$puter to a previous state. To prevent individual ite$s or lines for$ a specific configuration file fro$ loading when you restart your co$puter) clic* the tab for that particular configuration file) and then clic* to clear the chec* bo' for the individual line or ite$ that you do not want to load. %hec* bo'es that are unavailable on the SYSTEM !N! and (!N !N! tabs indicate that the lines are te$porarily re$oved by the #yste$ %onfiguration utility. To change the currently active line or ite$) clic* a different line or ite$) or clic* Move #p or Move Do)n to $ove between ite$s. To create a new entry in any of the configuration files) clic* Ne).

To edit a line that is currently selected) clic* Edit.

NOTE. hen you clic* to clear a chec* bo' for an ite$ or a line) the Selective Startup option &on the General tab( is auto$atically selected. -fter you $a*e the selections that you want) clic* OK) and then restart the co$puter when you are pro$pted to initiate the changes. To e'tract individual indows files directly fro$ the cabinet files) clic* the General tab) and then clic* E*pand "ile.

To verify that all of the configuration files and all of the ite$s that are listed in those files are loaded when you restart your co$puter) clic* the General tab) and then clic* Nor&al startup.

REFERENCES
6or additional infor$ation about how to troubleshoot indows !" #tartup proble$s) clic* the following article nu$ber to view the article in the Microsoft 7nowledge /ase. 308091 3esources for Troubleshooting #tartup "roble$s in indows !" 6or additional infor$ation about how to perfor$ a clean boot in indows !") clic* the following article nu$ber to view the article in the Microsoft 7nowledge /ase. 310353 :ow to "erfor$ a %lean /oot in indows !" 6or additional infor$ation about how to use #yste$ 3estore to restore indows !") clic* the following article nu$ber to view the article in the Microsoft 7nowledge /ase. 306089 :; T;. 3estore the ;perating #yste$ to a "revious #tate in indows !"

The information in this article applies to"

Microso+t (indo)s ,P -.-$it Edition Microso+t (indo)s ,P /o&e Edition Microso+t (indo)s ,P Pro+essional