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:

msconfig - SYSTEM.INI
msconfig - SYSTEM.INI

Table of Contents

 About This Book

 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

 What Is "msconfig"

 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

 Startup Programs Removal for Better System Performance

 Winsock - Windows Sockets API

 Java on Windows

 Glossary of Terms

 Outdated Tutorials

 References

 Full Version in PDF/ePUB