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A+ Guide to Software, 4e

A+ Guide to Software, 4e. Chapter 5 Troubleshooting Windows 2000/XP Startup. Objectives. Learn about what happens when Windows 2000/XP starts up Learn about the tools that can help you when Windows fails to boot or boots with errors

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A+ Guide to Software, 4e

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  1. A+ Guide to Software, 4e Chapter 5 Troubleshooting Windows 2000/XP Startup

  2. Objectives • Learn about what happens when Windows 2000/XP starts up • Learn about the tools that can help you when Windows fails to boot or boots with errors • Learn strategies that you can use to solve problems when Windows 2000/XP won’t boot A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  3. Introduction • Two types of startup problems • Windows 2000/XP will not load the Windows desktop • Windows 2000/XP loads the desktop with errors • Topics to cover • What happens when Windows 2000/XP starts • Tools and utilities used to solve boot problems • Strategies and approaches for solving boot problems • Meet booting problems with a good plan A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  4. Understanding the Windows 2000/XP Boot Process • Topics to cover in this section: • What happens during the boot process • What files are needed to boot • Changing settings that affect Windows 2000/XP startup A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  5. What Happens When Windows 2000/XP Starts Up • The procedure applies to an Intel-based PC • Programs involved in the initial steps • Startup BIOS (firmware) • MBR program • Boot sector program • Ntldr • Table 5-1 describes the steps in detail A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  6. Table 5-1 Steps in the Windows 2000/XP boot process for systems with Intel-based processors A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  7. Table 5-1 Steps in the Windows 2000/XP boot process for systems with Intel-based processors (continued) A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  8. Files Needed to Start Windows 2000/XP • See files in Table 5-2 • Some of the files are core components of the OS A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  9. Table 5-2 Files needed to boot Windows 2000/XP successfully A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  10. Table 5-2 Files needed to boot Windows 2000/XP successfully (continued) A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  11. Important Folders Used in the Startup Process • List of key folders used by Windows 2000/XP: • C:\Windows: the Windows XP installation • C:\Windows\System32: core system files and subfolders • C:\Windows\System32\config: registry hives • C:\Windows\System32\drivers: device driver files • C:\Documents and Settings: user account information • C:\Program Files: installed applications A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  12. The Boot.ini File • Hidden text file in root directory of active partition • Read by Ntldr for two types of information: • Available operating systems (in [operating systems]) • How to set up the boot (in [boot loader]) • You may view and edit information in Boot.ini • To access Boot.ini, you must first make the file visible • Change hidden file setting in View tab of Folder Options • Switches may be used in [operating systems] section • Ex: /fastdetect: OS bypasses serial port devices at boot A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  13. Figure 5-2 A sample Windows XP Boot.ini file A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  14. Customizing the Way Windows 2000/XP Starts Up • How to change Windows startup options • Right-click My Computer and select Properties • After System Properties opens, click Advanced • Under Startup and Recovery, click Settings • If necessary, change settings and enter OK • Configuring DEP (which changes /NoExecute switch) • Select Advanced tab of System Properties dialog box • Under Performance, click Settings • Click the Data Execution Prevention tab • Apply changes and click OK A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  15. Figure 5-4 You can access startup and recovery options from the System Properties dialog box A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  16. Troubleshooting Tools to Solve Startup Problems • Sources of information about troubleshooting tools: • Microsoft Knowledge Base at support.microsoft.com • Microsoft Windows XP Professional Resource Kit Documentation (a book) • Table 5-3 in the text • Help files for a command tool • Examples of the many tools available: • Last Known Good Configuration • Safe Mode • System Information (Systeminfo.exe) A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  17. Figure 5-7 The System Information window displays important information about the system’s hardware, software, and environment A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  18. Advanced Options Menu • Used to diagnose and fix boot-related problems • Press F8 key to display Advanced Options menu • A list of the options • Safe Mode: boots OS with minimal configuration • Safe Mode with Networking: includes network access • Safe Mode with Command Prompt: text-based only • Enable Boot Logging: records files used during boot • Enable VGA Mode: substitute for regular display • Last Known Good Configuration: stored in the registry A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  19. Figure 5-10 Windows XP Safe Mode with Task Manager A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  20. Advanced Options Menu (continued) • A list of the options (continued) • Directory services restore mode: for domain controllers • Debugging mode: for moving system logs to another PC • Disable automatic restart on system failure: stops reboot • Blue screen of death (BSOD) • Also called a stop error or system failure A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  21. Figure 5-13 Control what happens after a stop error A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  22. Recovery Console • A command-driven OS for serious troubleshooting • Functions performed with the Recovery Console • Repair a damaged registry, system files, or file system • Enable or disable a service or device driver • Repair master boot program on hard drive • Repair boot sector on the system partition • Repair a damaged Boot.ini file • Recover data when the Windows OS is beyond repair • Recovery Console is protected from illegal access • Table 5-4 (partially reproduced) lists commands A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  23. Table 5-4 Commands available from the Recovery Console A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  24. Recovery Console (continued) • Use the recovery console to fix hard drive problems • Fixmbr: restores the master boot program in the MBR • Fixboot: repairs the OS boot record • Diskpart: used to view, create, and delete partitions • Chkdsk: repairs file system and recovers data • Restore the registry following steps in Table 5-5 • Disabling a service or device driver • Listsvc: lists all services currently installed • Disable: disables a service • Enable: shows current status or reinstates a service A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  25. Table 5-5 Steps to restore the Windows 2000/XP registry A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  26. Recovery Console (continued) • Use the Recovery Console to restore system files • Map: displays the current drive letters • Systemroot: sets Windows directory as default directory • Delete: deletes a file • CD: changes directory • Copy: makes a backup of the current Ntldr file • Bootcfg: lets you view and edit the Boot.ini file • Expand: extracts files compressed in cabinet (.cab) files A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  27. Figure 5-23 Recovery Console command to repair Ntldr A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  28. Recovery Console (continued) • Use the recovery console to recover data • First step: change some Recovery Console settings • Second step: copy data from hard drive to other media • Optional installation of the Recovery Console • Open a command window • Navigate to \i386 folder on Windows 2000/XP CD • Enter the command winnt32 /cmdcons • The Recovery Console is installed at this step • Restart your computer • Recovery Console should be on the boot loader menu A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  29. Strategies for Troubleshooting Windows 2000/XP Startup • Topics to cover • General guidelines for troubleshooting • How to respond to startup errors • How to clean up a sluggish startup • How to restore system files • Methods to use as a last resort A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  30. Guidelines for Troubleshooting Boot Problems • Ask the user what happened before problem started • Back up data before trying to solve an OS problem • Determine what point in boot the system fails • Check the simple things first; e.g., loose cables • Boot to Advanced Options, select Last Known Good Configuration A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  31. Respond to Any Startup Errors • Signs of a successful startup • You can log onto Windows • The Windows desktop is loaded • The hourglass pointer has disappeared • If an error message appears during boot, address it • Table 5-6 identifies error messages • The table is partially reproduced in the following slide A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  32. Table 5-6 Startup error messages and their meanings A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  33. Respond to Any Startup Errors (continued) • Errors that occur before the windows load begins • Startup BIOS is still in control • All core startup components must work for success • Essential hardware: CPU, boot device, power supply • Example: BIOS cannot find a hard drive • Stop error • Drastic error that causes Windows to hang or lock up • Search Microsoft support site for help with problem • Example: a bad USB device causes BSOD to appear A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  34. Figure 5-25 A BSOD might be caused by hardware or software A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  35. Respond to Any Startup Errors (continued) • Program not found error • Entry in the registry or a startup folder, but no program • Cause: uninstall routine leaves entry behind • You can use Msconfig to identify orphan entry • If the entry is in registry, delete entry to eliminate error • Errors from when a device or service has failed to start • Use Device Manager to update the driver • Uninstall and reinstall the device • Boot from Last Known Good Configuration • Try Safe Mode, System Restore, Recovery Console A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  36. Figure 5-28 Delete orphan registry entry left there by malware A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  37. Cleaning Up Startup • Locations to check for cleanup • Startup folders for startup processes • Unwanted scheduled tasks • Group Policy startup entries • Installed fonts • Msconfig: used to find other startup entries • Services Console: used to disable unwanted services • Check startup folders • Move unwanted programs or shortcuts to another folder A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  38. Figure 5-29 This startup folder holds several unneeded services that appear in the system tray and take up system resources A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  39. Cleaning Up Startup (continued) • Look for unwanted scheduled tasks • Tasks launched at startup are in C:\Windows\Tasks • Inspect folder for unwanted or malicious tasks • Check Group Policy for unwanted startup events • Group Policy scripts are placed in one of four folders • Malicious software is sometimes placed in these folders • Check for too many installed fonts • Fonts stored in C:\Windows\Fonts folder • Install or uninstall a font: move font into or out of folder • Make sure folder does not hold more than 260 files A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  40. Figure 5-30 The Scheduled Task folder can contain tasks that launch at startup A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  41. Figure 5-31 Fonts are kept in the C:\Windows\Fonts folder A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  42. Cleaning Up Startup (continued) • Use Windows XP Msconfig to limit startup events • To access utility, enter Msconfig in the Run dialog box • Click Services tab to view all services set to start • Click Startup tab to view/edit list of startup programs • Deselecting a startup item is not a permanent solution • Check for corrupted or unneeded files • Service: support program running the background • Identify services from the Services Console • Investigate the service on the Internet A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  43. Figure 5-33 Use the Msconfig Startup tab to control programs launched at startup A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  44. Figure 5-34 The Services console is used to start, stop, and schedule services A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  45. Restore System Files • Return to a previous Windows XP restore point • Try Driver Rollback before System Restore • If using System Restore, select a close restore point • Accessing System Restore when Windows GUI is down • Try booting into Safe Mode • Use Windows 2000/XP boot disk to verify boot files • If OS boots from disk, problem is in root folder of C drive • To create boot disk, copy boot files from PC or setup CD • A repair suggestion: replace Ntldr, Ntdetect.com, Boot.ini A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  46. Restore System Files (continued) • Use the Recovery Console to restore system files • Boot to the Recovery Console • Get a directory listing of files in the root directory • Use the Chkdsk command to scan hard drive for errors • Try copying backup registry files to \..\system32\config • Identify faulty service using Listsvc, Disable, and Enable • Replace faulty service with a copy from the setup CD A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  47. Recover or Repair the Windows 2000/XP Installation • Recovery partitions and recovery CDs • If provided, use a recovery CD instead of a setup CD • Recovery CD has drivers specific to system and OS build • Hidden partition may also be used for recovery • Windows XP Automated System Recovery (ASR) • Recovers system from time of last full backup of drive C • Access ASR backup from setup CD (press F2) • Follow directions onscreen to restore drive C A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  48. Figure 5-35 Brand name recovery CDs and a Windows XP setup CD A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  49. Recover or Repair the Windows 2000/XP Installation (continued) • The Windows 2000 Emergency Repair Process • Method of last resort (all changes to system are lost) • Process uses Emergency Repair Disk (ERD) • In-place upgrade of Windows 2000/XP • Software/hardware are reinstalled, user data preserved • Use repair utility on Windows 2000/XP setup CD • Clean installation of Windows 2000/XP • First step: copy data files to a safe place • Destroy current Windows 2000/XP installation • Reinstall the OS from the Windows 2000/XP setup CD A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  50. Figure 5-38 Windows XP Setup can repair the selected Windows installation A+ Guide to Software, 4e

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