Over the years people have begun to call the whole process of getting into
Windows the "boot" process, but it is technically a combination of the "boot
process" and the Windows startup process, which occurs after the boot
process has completed!
The computers boot process is entirely controlled by the computer bios, and
is on the bios chip. When the boot process affirms that all hardware is
functional, the bios points to the Windows startup files located on the hard
drive, and Windows startup continues from there.
If the computer will not boot it is because there are hardware anomalies and
the bios halts the boot process - usually with an error message of white
text on a black screen. If this occurs, there is not a floppy or CD boot
disk in the world that will allow you to repair/start Windows.
If the boot process concludes successfully, and Windows does not load - then
a so-called "boot" floppy or CD (depending on what operating system you are
currently using) will allow you to possibly repair problems in the operating
system.
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Regards,
Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!