Lab 17.4: Using MSCONFIG

MSCONFIG is a Windows 98 troubleshooting tool. It helps automate the routine troubleshooting steps that are used to fix the system configuration files. The system configuration files include the CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, SYSTEM.INI, and WIN.INI files. This tool gives you the ability to modify the system configuration files using check boxes instead of typing in the actual files using Notepad or another editing tool. This way, you can step through the file until you locate the bad line of code. The utility creates a backup of these key files and restores them after you finish.

Upon completion of this lab, you will be able to:

Use MSCONFIG to edit key system configuration files

Set Up

For this lab, you will need a computer running Windows 98.

Exercise

In this exercise, you we will open the MSCONFIG utility and view the content of the files. The exam is only concerned with your knowing which files can be altered using this utility.

In the Run command field, type msconfig.
When the System Configuration Utility window opens, note the Startup Selection Options:
Click the Create Backup button.
When the Create Backup window opens, click OK to acknowledge that the backup is complete.
Click on the tabs. Notice that each file is opened. Each line in the file has a check box that allows you to comment out the line for the next reboot. If you were using Notepad or another editor, you could manually comment out the line by typing a semicolon before it.
Click the View menu item. Note the other utilities and settings you can access.
Close the System Configuration Utility window.