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

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Article ID : 310560
Last Review : June 8, 2004
Revision : 1.0
This article was previously published under Q310560
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INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION
MORE INFORMATION MORE INFORMATION
REFERENCES REFERENCES
APPLIES TO APPLIES TO

INTRODUCTION

This article describes how to troubleshoot configuration errors in Microsoft Windows XP by using the System Configuration utility (Msconfig.exe).
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MORE INFORMATION

The System Configuration utility automates the routine troubleshooting steps that Microsoft Product Support Services Support Professionals use when they diagnose system configuration issues. When you use this utility to modify the system configuration, you can select check boxes to eliminate issues that do not pertain to your configuration. This process reduces the risk of typing errors that you may make when you use a text editor such as Microsoft Notepad. You must be logged on as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group to use the System Configuration utility.

To start the System Configuration utility, click Start, click Run, type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.

When you use the System Configuration utility, you can easily reset or change the configuration settings in Windows to include preferences for the following files 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
To prevent any one of these items from loading when you restart the computer, use either of the following two methods:
• Click the General tab, and then click Diagnostic Startup - load basic devices and services only. When you use this option, device drivers and software are loaded interactively when you restart the computer.

NoteWhen you use this method, Microsoft services such as Networking, Plug and Play, Event Logging, and Error Reporting are temporarily disabled. You also permanently delete all restore points for the System Restore utility. Do not use this method if you want to retain your restore points for System Restore, or if you have to use a Microsoft service to test a problem.
• Click the General tab, and then click Selective Startup. You can chose the files and the settings that you want the computer to load when you restart the computer. You can select any of the following options:
• Process SYSTEM.INI File
• Process WN.INI file
• Load System Services
• Load Startup Items

The following settings apply to these options:
• If the check box is selected, the configuration file is processed when you restart the computer.
• If the check box is cleared, the configuration file is not processed when you restart the computer.
• If the check box is selected, but is unavailable, some items are still loading from that configuration file when you restart the computer.
• If the check box is not selected, but is unavailable, the configuration file is not present on the computer.
• You cannot clear the Use Original BOOT.INI check box.
NoteWhen you clear the Load System Services check box, you disable Microsoft services such as Networking, Plug and Play, Event Logging, and Error Reporting. You also permanently delete all restore points for the System Restore utility. Do not clear this check box if you want to retain your restore points for System Restore, or if you have to use a Microsoft service to test a problem.
Before you start a troubleshooting session, you can use the System Configuration utility to initiate a System Restore operation. To do this, click the General tab, and then click Launch System Restore. You can then create a restore point that you can use to restore your computer to a previous state.

To prevent individual items or lines from a specific configuration file from loading when you restart your computer, click the tab for that particular configuration file, and then click to clear the check box for the individual line or item that you do not want to load. Check boxes that are unavailable on the SYSTEM.INI and WIN.INI tabs indicate that the lines are temporarily removed by the System Configuration utility.
• To change the currently active line or item, click a different line or item or click Move Up or Move Down to move between items.
• To create a new entry in any one of the configuration files, click New.
• To edit a line that is currently selected, click Edit.
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.

After you make the selections that you want, click OK, and then restart the computer when you are prompted to initiate the changes.

To extract individual Windows files directly from the cabinet files, click the General tab, and then click Expand File.

To verify that all the configuration files and all the items that are listed in those files are loaded when you restart your computer, click the General tab, and then click Normal startup.
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REFERENCES

For additional information about how to troubleshoot Windows XP Startup problems, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
308041 Resources for troubleshooting startup problems in Windows XP
For additional information about how to perform a clean boot in Windows XP, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
310353 How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
For additional information about how to use System Restore to restore Windows XP, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
306084 How to restore the operating system to a previous state in Windows XP
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APPLIES TO
• Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition
• Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition
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Keywords: 
 kbhowto kbinfo kbtshoot kbenv KB310560
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