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

4-1

Lesson 1: Explaining the Startup Process

In this lesson, you learn about the files that Windows XP Professional uses during the

startup process. You also learn the five stages of startup: preboot sequence, boot

sequence, kernel load, kernel initialization, and logon. You also learn how to effec-

tively troubleshoot the Windows XP Professional startup process.

After this lesson, you will be able to■

Describe the files used in the startup process.

■

Explain what happens during the preboot sequence.

■

Explain what happens during the boot sequence.

■

Explain the purpose and function of the BOOT.INI file.

■

Explain what happens during the kernel load phase.

■

Explain what happens during the kernel initialization phase.

■

Explain what happens during the logon phase.

Estimated lesson time: 40 minutes

Files Used in the Startup Process

Windows XP Professional requires certain files during startup. Table 4-1 lists the files

used in the Windows XP Professional startup process, the appropriate location of each

file, and the phases of the startup process associated with each file.

Note %systemroot% represents the path of your Windows XP Professional installation direc-

tory, which by default is a folder named \Windows on the system partition.

Table 4-1

Files Used in the Windows XP Professional Startup Process

File Location Startup Phase

NTLDR System partition root (C:\ ) Preboot and boot

BOOT.INI System partition root Boot

BOOTSECT.DOS System partition root Boot (optional)

NTDETECT.COM System partition root Boot

NTBOOTDD.SYS System partition root Boot (optional)

NTOSKRNL.EXE %systemroot%\System32 Kernel load

HAL.DLL %systemroot%\System32 Kernel load

SYSTEM %systemroot%\System32 Kernel initialization

Device drivers (.sys) %systemroot%\System32\Drivers Kernel initialization