SECTION 1
Lesson 1.3: Troubleshooting Your Computer

   

 

 

 

The System Configuration Utility is a tool you can use to perform routine troubleshooting steps to diagnose system configuration issues. These issues can range from program start-up related issues to driver installation issues. Through this utility you can check or uncheck the desired boxes that pertain to your related issue. For example, let’s say that after installing an application (which starts automatically when Windows starts) you experience no sound. Through the start up tab of the System Configuration Utility you can disable this one start-up item to see if this resolves the issue. Once the “culprit” is found further steps can be taken.

 

 

Linear and logical troubleshooting steps taken with the System Configuration Utility can help you narrow down specific issues. Let’s say you know your sound does not work because of a start-up entry. You disable half of the start-up items and restart with the same issue. You would then continue to uncheck half of the remaining boxes under the start-up tab and continue in this manner until you have found the one start-up item which was causing the problem.

 

To open the System Configuration Utility, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Start Button.
  2. Click on the Run box.
  3. Type msconfig. (No period.)
  4. Click OK.

 

 

Six tabs are available in Msconfig:

  • General
  • System.ini
  • Win.ini
  • Boot.ini
  • Services
  • Start-up

 

General

The main tab of the System Configuration Utility. When troubleshooting, this tab provides a Start-Up Selection area where you can select the start-up level you require. The options available are: Normal Start-up, Diagnostic Start-up, and Selective Start-up.

  • Normal Start-up: This is your normal running state. This loads all device drivers, services, and start-up items.
  • Diagnostic Start-up: This is a lower running state than a normal start-up and provides only basic drivers and services.

Selective Start-up: An even lower running state, allowing you to select which start-up items should run.

System.ini

This is the contents of your system.ini configuration file. This file is used to initialize system settings such as fonts, keyboard, language and other various settings. Checkboxes are available to select or de-select items.

Win.ini

This is the contents of your win.ini configuration file. This file is used to load various settings like drivers, applications, wallpaper, and fonts. Checkboxes are available to select or de-select items.

Boot.ini

Displayed in two sections. The top section shows you the contents of your boot.ini configuration file and provides additional buttons for: Check All Boot Paths, Set as Default, Move Up, and Move Down. The lower section provides you with checkbox options for safe boot (with radio options), noguiboot, bootlog, basevideo, and SOS. An Options button is also available in the lower section.

Services

Displays a list of the services installed on your computer. From this tab you can enable or disable selected services. An additional Hide All Microsoft Services check box is also available. With this box checked all of your non-Microsoft services (3rd party services) are shown.

Start-up

Displays a list of the start-up items on your computer. From this tab you can enable or disable selected start-up items by checking or un-checking them.