When the computer is built, the arrangement configuration information is stored in part of the reckoner's memory where it won't get lost when the ability is turned off. You tin can use the Arrangement Configuration tool to search for the sources of problems caused by corrupted, missing, or misassigned programs and elements of Windows.

View system configuration in Windows XP

Here's how to have a look at your system'due south settings.

  1. Choose Start→Run to open up the Run dialog box. Type msconfig in the Open up text box and click OK.

    The System Configuration Utility dialog box appears, displaying seven tabs. Each tab contains settings for various elements of your PC.

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  2. Click the Services tab.

    You see a long list of the electric current software services running in Windows.

  3. Click the Startup tab.

    This tab lists the programs that launch every time you offset your auto.

  4. Click the Tools tab.

    It lists the software tools you tin can utilise to audit or troubleshoot your system. (Interestingly, Microsoft'due south help-desk-bound technicians may use the aforementioned tools to help y'all uncover and repair a trouble with your calculator.)

  5. When you're ready to get on with other computer tasks, click the OK button.

    The System Configuration Utility dialog box closes.

Select diagnostic startup in Windows XP

It certainly is interesting to poke around inside the System Configuration Utility, but yous also can utilise information technology as a serious diagnostic tool.

  1. Choose Start→Run to open up the Run dialog box, type msconfig in the Open up text box, and click OK.

    The Organization Configuration Utility dialog box appears.

    image1.jpg

  2. On the General tab, select Diagnostic Startup and click OK.

    The utility takes a few seconds to disable all but the well-nigh essential startup programs and services.

  3. When the Restart/Exit prompt appears, click Restart. When the diagnostics notification appears, click OK.

    Windows displays the Arrangement Configuration Utility dialog box again.

  4. Click the Startup tab, scan the list for a program that's a likely troublemaker, and bank check its cheque box.

    Y'all recognize a troublemaker through a process of emptying and good guessing. Clarify the problem that you're experiencing and attempt to discover an application that may have something to do with it. Start with annihilation that isn't a Microsoft production and, therefore, may be incompatible with Windows.

  5. Click OK to restart your estimator in Selective Startup mode. If the trouble recurs, go on to the next stride. If the problem doesn't occur, echo the steps until you locate the offending application.

    Reinstall the problem program or contact the software manufacturer for help.

  6. Return your system to normal startup. To do so, choose Start→Run to open the Run dialog box. Blazon msconfig in the Open text box and click OK.

    The System Configuration Utility dialog box opens.

  7. On the General tab, select Normal Startup and click OK.

    Your estimator restarts with all its programs enabled.

View organisation configuration in Vista and Windows 7

Viewing the system configuration in Vista and Windows 7 is different than in Windows XP:

  1. Click the Outset button and then click inside the Search Programs and Files field (Start Search in Vista) at the bottom of the screen.

    The msconfig plan appears at the elevation of the search box.

  2. Click msconfig to display the System Configuration dialog box.

    Vista displays a UserAccount Control notice.

  3. Investigate the Services, Startup, and Tools tabs.

    These tabs are substantially the aforementioned as those in the System Configuration Utility dialog box in Windows XP. Missing from the Arrangement Configuration dialog box, nevertheless, are the .INI tabs from Windows XP — which is probably a good thing, because you lot shouldn't change those settings anyway.

  4. Click the Boot tab.

    The System Configuration dialog box appears.

    image2.jpg

  5. Click the General tab, cull Diagnostic Startup, and click OK to examination your system with minimal applications loaded. When finished, select Normal Startup on the General tab and click OK.

    You lot render to normal startup fashion, and your computer restarts with all its applications enabled.

Virtually This Article

About the book author:

Sandra Hardin Gookin serves equally a parenting expert for Parents Magazine and Working Mother Magazine.

Dan Gookin wrote the international bestseller DOS For Dummies. They accept four sons.

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