Susan wants to know how all about clean boots
Can you please explain what a clean boot is and why someone would want to do a clean boot? One of my friends is reading a bunch of computer books and she was trying to explain to me about doing a clean boot but she wasn’t making any sense. I don’t think she understood it either! Can you explain a clean boot and why I’d want to do one. I’m using Windows 7 Home Premium. Thanks so much, Susan.
Our Answer
Hi, Susan. A good washing with saddle soap will clean those boots. They’ll look brand new and be as supple as a lamb’s ear! OK we’ll tell you about the kind of clean boots you’re asking about.
If you’re having problems with Windows startup you can use a clean boot to help you troubleshoot the problem and determine if the error is faulty Windows file or a program you have starting up with Window.
Here’s how to perform a clean boot. Instructions are provided for Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows XP:
Instructions for Windows Vista and Windows 7
To perform a clean boot on a computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows 7, follow these steps.
Click Start, type msconfig in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
On the General tab, click Selective Startup.
Under Selective Startup, click to clear the Load Startup Items check box.
Click the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All.
Click OK. When you are prompted, click Restart.
After the computer starts, try starting up each program that normally starts with Windows – one at a time and see if you get the error message again. If you do, it’s a program error and not a Windows error. You should contact the program’s support team to report the error and find out whether there are any fixes or workarounds available
Instructions for Windows XP
To perform a clean boot on a computer that is running Windows XP, follow these steps:
Click Start, and then click Run.
Type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.
On the General tab, click Selective Startup.
Under Selective Startup, click and uncheck the following check boxes:
Process SYSTEM.INI File
Process WIN.INI File
Load Startup Items
Click the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All.
Click OK. When you are prompted, click Restart.
After the computer starts, try starting up each program that normally starts with Windows – one at a time and see if you get the error message again. If you do, it’s a program error and not a Windows error. You should contact the program’s support team to report the error and find out whether there are any fixes or workarounds available.
Some services may temporarily lose functionality when you perform a clean boot procedure. When you restore the settings, the functionality will be restored. However, the original error message or behavior may return.
Now…to return your computer to a Normal startup mode, follow these steps:
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users
Click Start in the Start Search box. Type msconfig, and then press ENTER. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
Click the General tab.
Click Normal Startup – load all device drivers and services, and then click OK.
When you are prompted, click Restart to restart the computer.
Windows XP users
Click Start, and then click Run.
Type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.
Click the General tab.
Click Normal Startup – load all device drivers and services, and then click OK.
When you are prompted, click Restart to restart the computer.
That was a good article concerning ‘clean boots’ and I downloaded same to look at more carefully later as the 1st paragraph on this subject still has me laughing. Yep “A good washing with saddle soap will clean those boots etc. etc. Where do you get all your fun inspiration. I love to read your articles as there is always some fun element to it. Thanks for the article and the good laugh. God Bless Irene
I thought this might help me but it didn’t because my problem is when attempt to re-install windows xp pro, I get the message on black screen that says, “\system 32\hal.dll file is either missing or corrupt”
Can anyone please help me correct this problem?? My computer has been down for weeks!! (am using a friend’s)
You should do a clean install; i.e. format your hard drive first.