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Windows XP Structure
The boot files used by XP are similar to Windows 2000:
- BOOT.INI - Specifies boot defaults, operating system locations, settings and menu selections.
- BOOTSECT.DOS - A file located in the system partition that allows the option to boot into another operating system such as Win98 or DOS.
- NTDETECT.COM - Hardware detection program that is located on the root of the system partition.
- NTLDR - File that loads the operating system and is located on the root of the system partition.
- NTOSKRNL.EXE - The executable file.
- HAL.DLL - Hardware abstraction layer.
- OSLOADER.EXE - This is the OS loader for RISC based systems.
- NTBOOTDD.SYS - File used when the system or boot partition is located on a SCSI drive and the BIOS is disabled.
The boot process is as follows:
- The master boot record (MBR) reads the boot sector which is the first sector of the active partition. This sector contains the code that starts Ntldr which is the boot strap loader for Windows XP. Note: Ntldr must be located in the root folder of the active partition along with Ntdetect.com, boot.ini, bootsect.dos (for dual booting) and Ntbootdd.sys (needed with some SCSI adapters).
- Selecting XP from the boot menu causes Ntldr to run Ntdetect.com to get information about installed hardware.
- Ntldr then uses the ARC path specified in the boot.ini to find the boot partition. Next, the two files that make up the core of XP: Ntoskrnl.exe and Hal.dll are loaded. These files must be located in the %SystemRoot%\System32 folder.
- Ntldr reads the registry files, selects a hardware profile, control set and loads device drivers in that order.
- Ntoskrnl.exe takes over and starts Winlogon.exe which starts Lsass.exe (Local Security Administration). This is the program that displays the Welcome screen (If Professional Edition-the Windows Log On dialog box), and allows the user to log on with their user name and password.
The Registry
There is 1 registry editor in Windows XP. It doesn't matter if you type in Regedt32 and Regedit at a Run prompt because you will be taken to the same registry editor. Just like previous versions of Windows, the registry information is stored in 5 hive files. If you would like to learn more about the Windows XP registry, there is an excellent tutorial at the ElderGeek.
Administrative Tools
In Windows XP most system administration tasks are performed in the Computer Management Console that contains all of the various Microsoft Management Consoles (MMCs) in one location. The Computer Management Console (shown below) can accessed from the Administrative Tools control panel.
As you can see from the image, you can manage users, disks, services and other Windows components from the Computer Management Console.
MMCs are customizable and you can create your own. To start with an empty MMC, just type MMC in a Run dialogue box. You can then select the items that you wish to appear in your MMC and save it.
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