startup sequence

[Guest]

I just discovered MSCONFIG.exe, & I see it has the following tabs. What is the order in which these files are processed: system.ini, win.ini, boot.ini, services, & startup? Why are there so many different files? Which are per-user, and which are per-machine choices? Are the per-user choices kept in the "documents & settings" area, or elsewhere? Where can I read up on stuff like this?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Eric;

Execution Order for starting programs

With Windows XP Home, There are 13 places that programs can start from and
they are executed in the following order:

Before Logon
1)HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOn
ce
2) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

After Logon
3)HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\Setup
4) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
5) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx
6) WIN.INI [Windows] Load
7) WIN.INI [Windows] Run
8) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
9) HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
10) C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
11) C:\Documents and Settings\Your Name Here\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
12) HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
13) As a Scheduled Task set to run at startup.

[[Startups in groups 6 to 11 all run at the same time (more or less).
However, the groups themselves are triggered in the order shown above. In
other words, the next group can begin launching while the previous group is
still loading its startups. Due to timing issues it is impossible to say
what order these items will finish loading, thus it is impossible to predict
the exact order of execution for individual startups. For instance,
you may notice two or more system tray icons changing position with each
boot - even when no changes have been made to the order.]]

[[The order of items within a group is not necessarily the final order, as
some programs take longer than others to load, and synchronous groups
can overlap each other.]]

Items in 10 and 11 execute alphanumerically. You can change the order in 10
and 11 by moving the items from 11 to 10. Also, you can rename the
shortcuts in 10 and/or 11.

For example; dfg.exe, fgh.exe and ghj.exe would start in that order. To
change the order rename to aghj.exe,bdfg.exe and cfgh.exe. They would
then start in that order.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your help!. It happens that I have XP-Pro. How different is that from XP-Home, regarding startup? Is MSConfig a way to edit the registry? That is, when you change the information displayed on the tabs I named, is that where the changes go? Can you reccommend a place to read up on all this stuff in an organized way?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Eric;

I just reformatted and installed XP Pro yesterday, so I don't know yet.
I do not think much different.

No. Registry is edited in Regedit.
Start | Run | Type: regedit | OK

I'm not organized, so I cannot advise in that way.
However..................

Books and Training
http://www.microsoft.com/products/i...d4b0c7b0-3d74-4653-8d29-acbc370d748b&type=ctg


Two good books.
Microsoft® Windows® XP Inside Out, Deluxe Edition
Microsoft® Windows® XP Registry Guide
===================
Some good Sites.

http://www.puppypc.com/tutorials/reg/xp_registry.htm

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp.htm

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

http://www.dougknox.com/

http://www.theeldergeek.com/

http://www.jsiinc.com/

http://www.winguides.com/registry/

=================
Do a web search for Windows XP Registry.

Do a Search for Registry in Help and Support.
Look for:
Windows Registry
Registry Editor overview
To restore the registry

) Have fun!

Wes