Windows Tutorials - Herong's Tutorial Examples - v5.62, by Dr. Herong Yang
Managing System Startup File - SYSTEM.INI
This section describes the system startup file, SYSTEM.INI, and how to change it with the system configuration tool 'msconfig.exe'.
SYSTEM.INI was a basic startup file used in early versions of Microsoft Windows to load device drivers and the default Windows shell (Program Manager or Windows Explorer). Many of these settings were honored in Windows 9x, although the files had begun to be phased out in favor of the Windows registry. Windows XP still acknowledges some entries in the SYSTEM.INI file, to provide backwards compatibility with older 16-bit applications.
SYSTEM.INI file is located in the C:\SYSTEMS directory. Here is the content of SYSTEM.INI on my Windows XP system:
C:\herong\type C:\windows\system.ini ; for 16-bit app support [drivers] wave=mmdrv.dll timer=timer.drv [mci] [driver32] [386enh] woafont=dosapp.FON EGA80WOA.FON=EGA80WOA.FON EGA40WOA.FON=EGA40WOA.FON CGA80WOA.FON=CGA80WOA.FON CGA40WOA.FON=CGA40WOA.FON
If you run "msconfig.exe" and click the SYSTEM.INI tab, you will see that all settings in system.ini are presented with checkboxes for you to turn on or off:
Table of Contents
Introduction to Microsoft Windows
Introduction to Windows Explorer
Introduction to Internet Explorer
"Paint" Program and Computer Graphics
GIMP - GNU Image Manipulation Program
JPEG Image File Format Quality and Size
GIF Image File Format and Transparent Background
"WinZip" - ZIP File Compression Tool
"WinRAR" - RAR and ZIP File Compression Tool
FTP Server, Client and Commands
"FileZilla" - Free FTP Client and Server
Web Server Log Files and Analysis Tool - "Analog"
Spyware Adware Detection and Removal
IE Addon Program Listing and Removal
Vundo (VirtuMonde/VirtuMundo) - vtsts.dll Removal
Trojan and Malware "Puper" Description and Removal
VSToolbar (VSAdd-in.dll) - Description and Removal
Spybot - Spyware Blocker, Detection and Removal
Setting Up and Using Crossover Cable Network
Home Network Gateway - DSL Modem/Wireless Router
Windows Task Manager - The System Performance Tool
"tasklist" Command Line Tool to List Process Information
►"msconfig" - System Configuration Tool
System Startup Selections - Normal and Diagnostic Startups
►Managing System Startup File - SYSTEM.INI
Managing System Startup File - WIN.INI
Managing System Startup File - BOOT.INI
Enable/Disable Services with "msconfig.exe"
Enable/Disable Startup Programs with "msconfig.exe"
Configuring and Managing System Services
Windows Registry Key and Value Management Tools