7.8. Identifying Boot Sequences

Both for the test and for real life, you should know how to recognize common problems with operating systems and make certain they're booting correctly. The sections that follow look at a number of topics related to keeping your OSs booting and running properly.

7.8.1.

7.8.1.1. Key Boot Files

Windows Vista, XP, and 2000 require only a few files, each of which performs specific tasks. These are discussed next in the order in which they load:

NTLDR/BOOTMGR

Bootstraps the system. In other words, this file starts the loading of an OS on the computer. While Windows Vista uses BOOTMGR, both Windows XP and 2000 use NTLDR. Whichever of the two files the operating system uses, that file is responsible for switching ...

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