Windows XP: Boot.ini file

The Boot.ini file stores the parameters that are responsible for booting the system. This file is located in the root directory of the drive on which the system is installed. You can access editing this file in at least three ways: Open it in Notepad by unchecking the Explorer properties from the "Hide protected system files" option. Right-click on the "My Computer" icon, select "Properties" from the drop-down menu ", Go to the" Advanced "tab, go to the" Download and Restore "window -" Options "-" Operating System Startup "-" Edit "Open the" System Configuration "program (type msconfig.exe in the command line) and go to the tab BOOT.INI

The "System Setup" program provides a convenient interface for editing this file by setting or unchecking the corresponding items, changes are displayed in the top window of the program, but you can make only the changes allowed by the program. This method of editing is more secure than direct modification of the file.

The file consists of two main sections.

The first section is [boot loader] The following parameters can be set in this section:

Timeout = x where x is the time in seconds that the system waits before starting the system startup by default if more than one operating system is installed on the computer. When this key is set to 0, the default system will automatically boot.

Default = x where x is the description of the system loaded by default using the ARC system parameters:

The second section is the [operating system] Here is a list of boot and (or) operating system descriptions using the ARC system parameters:

ARC system parameters:

Scsi (x) - specified when using a SCSI controller with BIOS disabled, where x is the number of the adapter from which the download will be performed.

Multi (x) - specified when using IDE, EIDE, ESDI, or SCSI controllers with BIOS enabled, where x is the adapter number from which the download will be performed.

Disc (x) - if the scsi (x) parameter is used, then x corresponds to the device logical number set for the disk; If the multi (x) parameter is used, then x is always 0.

Rdisc (x) - if the scsi (x) parameter is used, then x corresponds to the disk number, starting at 0; If the multi (x) parameter is used, then x is always 0.

Partition (x) - specifies the partition of the disk that contains the operating system files, starting with 1.

\ Path = "name" - path specifies the directory of the partition in which the Windows XP files are installed. "Name" is the text that appears in the operating system selection menu at boot time.

After these keys, you can specify the keys that affect the operating system boot process:

/ Safeboot: x - indicating the need to load in safe mode (Safe Mode), the parameter x can take the following values: minimal - the system will boot into the minimum configuration; Network - download with network support; Minimal (alternateshell) - loading using an alternative graphical shell.

/ Noguiboot - Disable the Windows splash screen at startup.

/ Bootlog - write the process of loading to a file .. \ Windows \ ntbtlog.txt.

/ Basevideo - the standard VGA driver will be used when downloading.

/ SOS - when loading, the list of loaded drivers will be displayed.

/ Maxmem = x - The x parameter specifies the maximum size of RAM that the system will recognize.

/ Kernel = x points to a file that will be used as an alternative to the ntoskrnl file (for example, if you change this file to change the startup screen)

/ Debug - load the debugger, which can be activated by another computer through the connected COM port.

Using these options, you can create or edit a list of operating system boot options that will be displayed at boot time, with the option of selecting one or the other option if necessary.

Sample Boot.ini file

[Boot loader]
Timeout = 3
Default = multi (0) disk (0) rdisk (0) partition (1) \ WINDOWS
[Operating systems]
Multi (0) disk (0) rdisk (0) partition (1) \ WINDOWS = "Microsoft Windows XP Professional RU"
/ Fastdetect / bootlog