Blog 13 – Week 13 – Windows ME Support

Assignment: Answer questions 1, 6, 12, 18, and 27 on page 836.
1. What are the three core components of Windows 9x/ME?
A. The Kernel, the user and the GDI (graphics device interface).

6. What are the log files Setuplog.txt, Detlog.txt, and Detcrash.log used for?
A. The setuplog.txt file is an ASCII text file that contains information from the setup. This file lists information about the specific steps, their sequence, and the error conditions encountered before hardware is detected. This file can also be used for troubleshooting errors that occur during the installation process.
The detcrash.log file is created if setup fails during hardware detection. It contains information about the detection module that was running and the I/O port or memory resources it was accessing when the failure occurred. At this point Safe Recovery then skips the action that caused the failure. Then, Safe Recovery continues the detection process, starting with the next module. If the detection process is completed successfully, detcrash.log is deleted. This file is only for the computer, not for people.
The detlog.txt file is the text version of detcrash.log for people.

12. Explain the purpose of the System Configuration Utility. How would you use it in troubleshooting?
A. The system configuration utility (msconfig.exe) can be used to disable programs and services. This allows a technician to determine which program or service is hindering the system startup. It can also be useful for checking if a service is necessary or not when booting the computer.

18. List the five phases of the Windows 9x/ME boot process and give a short description of each.
A. Phase 1: BIOS startup and POST. This looks at the computer hardware and then looks for the hidden system file so the operating system can be loaded.
Phase 2: (lo.sys) Loads DOS drivers and sets environmental variables.
Phase 3: (lo.sys is terminated) The boot files and configurations files turn control over to a Virtual Machine Manager called VxD. This starts the process of allowing hardware to talk to software.
Phase 4: Protected-Mode starts and loads the configuration meager which configures legacy and plug-n-play devices.
Phase 5: Loading the rest of the core components, fonts and other resources, including the desktop. Lastly, any processes listed in the startup directory are performed.

27. Name two ways to end an application that is hung without rebooting the PC.
A. One way is to use the Task Manager. Type Taskman in the Run dialog box. The other way is to use the kill command in the Run dialog box. The kill command can be used with –f for forced kill, and a process id, a task name or a window title.