How do I use Msconfig to modify boot.ini?

How do I use Msconfig to modify boot.ini?

A. The Windows XP utility Msconfig is useful for configuring various OS elements:

* Startup type (e.g., which drivers are loaded, whether system.ini/win.ini are parsed)

* Which parts of system.ini are used

* Which parts of win.ini are used

* Which commands run at start-up

* Which services start

* boot.ini options

With the boot.ini option, you can check the current entries, specify additional options, and configure the timeout.

1. Start Msconfig (Start, Run, msconfig.exe).

2. Select the BOOT.INI tab.

3. The dialog box displays the current OSs.

4. Click Check All Boot Paths to go through all the entries and ensure that they relate to a true installation.

5. If you select an actual installation, you can then set the various boot options, such as basevideo and SOS.

6. Once finished, click OK.

The Bootcfg command recognizes Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows NT. It doesn't recognize

Windows 9x. Bootcfg has the following options:

* /default—Sets the default OS (modifies the default= line in boot.ini).

* /add—Scans the computer for OSs and lets you add located installations. You can also specify optional boot switches.

* /rebuild—Same as /add except /rebuild automatically recreates boot.ini with all found installations if the user confirms.

* /scan—Identifies current installations but doesn't modify boot.ini.

* /list—Scans the boot.ini files and displays each entry.

* /redirect—Enables redirection of the boot loaded to a specific port and baud rate (this option is useful for the Headless Administration options).

* /disableredirect—Disables the redirection configured with /redirect.

Bootcfg is simply an extra tool. You can still modify boot.ini directly with Notepad (after removing read-only, system, and hidden attributes—attrib c:\boot.ini -r -s -h). Or you can use the System Control Panel applet or Msconfig