Chapter 20. Troubleshooting Windows and Windows Applications

In this chapter

• Startup Errors for Windows 9x/Me

• Startup Errors for Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP

• Operating System Error Messages and Solutions

• Swapfile (Paging File) and Hard Disk Access Problems

• Drive Configuration Errors

• Post-Startup Errors

• Using Windows Utilities for Troubleshooting

• Computer Viruses

From Windows NT 4.0 to Windows XP, the A+ Certification Operating Systems Exam expects you to understand how to fix problems with a sick operating system. After all, without an operating system, a computer is just a collection of useless circuit boards , plastic, and metal parts .

Problems with Windows can show up at startup or during operation: This chapter covers both types of errors. As you're probably aware by now, Windows 9x/Me are part of the same Windows "family," and you might be more familiar with the errors these versions can produce than with the errors produced by the more business-oriented Windows family of Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP. Whichever version of Windows you use on a day-to-day basis, don't worry. This chapter will help you prepare for the exam and for the real-world challenges beyond the exam.