INSTALL WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL FROM A MASTER IMAGEIN THIS EXERCISE, Y...

4. A user calls you and tells you that Windows XP Professional does not appear to be

loading correctly. The Hardware Profile/Configuration Recovery menu does not

appear when the computer is restarted, but it does appear on the computer of the

person sitting in the next cubicle when that computer is restarted. What would

you tell the user?

Lesson Summary

Files used during the Windows XP Professional startup process include NTLDR,

BOOT.INI, BOOTSECT.DOS, NTDETECT.COM, NTBOOTDD.SYS, NTOSK-

RNL.EXE, HAL.DLL, SYSTEM, and Device drivers (.sys).

During the preboot sequence, the BIOS runs a POST test, locates a boot device,

and loads the MBR found on that boot device. The MBR loads the boot sector on

the active partition into memory and then initializes NTLDR.

The boot sequence has four phases: initial boot loader phase, operating system

selection, hardware detection, and configuration selection. The boot sequence

uses the following files: NTLDR, BOOT.INI, BOOTSECT.DOS (optional), NTDE-

TECT.COM, and NTOSKRNL.EXE.

NTLDR uses information in the BOOT.INI file to display the boot loader screen,

from which you select the operating system to start. You can edit the BOOT.INI

file, including modifying ARC paths and using the optional BOOT.INI switches.

During the kernel load phase, the Windows XP Professional kernel (NTOSK-

RNL.EXE) loads and initializes. NTOSKRNL.EXE also loads and initializes device

drivers and loads services.

During the kernel initialization phase, the kernel initializes, and then NTLDR

passes control to the kernel. At this point, the system displays a graphical screen

with a status bar that indicates load status. Four tasks are accomplished during the

kernel initialization phase:

The Hardware key is created.

The Clone control set is created.

Device drivers are loaded and initialized.

Services are started.

During the logon phase, the Win32 subsystem automatically starts WIN-

LOGON.EXE, which in turn starts the Local Security Authority (LSASS.EXE) and

displays the Logon dialog box. You can log on at this time, even if Windows XP

Professional might still be initializing network device drivers.