Module 6 Networking and OS

Startup Settings

Change Windows startup behavior.

Setup BIOS/UEFI

Configures the BIOS/UEFI for hardware and OS functions.

Winload.efi

The Windows boot manager file when using UEFI. This file finds and loads the files needed to start booting Windows 10.

Bcedit

This command allows manual editing of the BCD.

wpeinit

This command initializes Windows PE and enables networking with RE.

bootrec /fixmbr

This command is used to repair the MBR old hard drives using the MBR partitioning system.

bootrec /fixboot

This command is used to repair the boot sector of the system partition.

sfc /scannow

This command is used to verify and restore corrupted system files.

Enable Safe Mode

This option allows you to launch programs to help solve Windows issues without third-party drivers and software loaded.

bootrec /scanOS

This scans the hard drive for Windows installations not stored in the BCD.

Windows Media Creation

Tool used in Windows 10 to create a bootable Windows setup ISO file, DVD, or flash drive. It can be downloaded from Microsoft's website.

System Restore

Use a restore point recorded on your PC to restore Windows.

Command Prompt

Use this instead of the GUI for advanced troubleshooting.

Enable Low-Resolution

Use this option when the video settings do not allow you to see the screen well enough to fix a defective setting.

Startup Repair

Fix problems that keep Windows from loading.

F8

Pressing this key at startup will display the Advance Boot Options screen. This feature must be enabled in Windows 10/8 as it is disabled by default but it automatically enabled by default in Windows 7.

System Image Recovery

Recover Windows using a specific system Image file.

C:\Windows\System32\Config\RegBack

Registry files are saved in and can be restored from this folder.

Kernel

Responsible for activating the HAL during the startup process, for starting critical services during the startup process and for starting the Session Manager during the startup process.

Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Allows Windows to load without the graphical interface.

Windows\System32\drivers

Drivers are stored in this folder.

ESP

GPT creates a partition called this. The partition then stores the Windows Boot Manager and the BCD files, which are used to locate the Windows boot files on the hard drive. The Windows BCD (Boot Configuration Data) stores Window's hard drive setting and partition information, including path settings to locate the Windows Boot Manager.

Spacebar

In Windows 7, pressing this key during the startup process will cause the Windows Boot Manager to appear.

Smss.exe

Is responsible for loading the graphic user interface and starting the client/server runtime subsystem and user sessions.

Safe Mode

Load the Windows GUI without any extra drivers. Allows essential system programs and services to start up at boot. The operating system has reduced functionality, but the task of isolating problems is easier since many non-core components are disabled, such as sound. An installation that will only boot into this mode typically has a major problem, such as disk corruption or the installation of poorly-configured software that prevents the operating system from successfully booting into its normal operating mode.

Windows Boot Manager (BootMgr)

Loads after the BIOS has located the OS in the startup process.

Startup BIOS/UEFI

Responsible for the early steps in the boot process, including surveying hardware devices, testing hardware for a successful boot, and finding an OS to load.

Winlogon.exe

Responsible for the logon process.

Active Partition

The Windows OS files are still stored on this kind of partition in the Windows directory.

In-Place Upgrade

The installation of an OS is completed by running the setup program from inside the current version of Windows.

Error loading operating system Missing operating system Invalid partition table

These three error messages are likely to appear is the BIOS/UEFI can't find a Windows Boot Manager or can't turn over operations to the boot manager.

Diskpart

This command can be used to totally wipe a hard drive clean including the partitioning system.

chkdsk /r

This command is used to check for file system errors.

ipconfig

This command is used to configure the IP address of the computer.

bootsect

This command is used to repair a dual-boot system.

Bootrec

This command repairs the BCD and boot sectors.

Enable Debugging

This tool moves system boot logs from the failing computer to another computer for evaluation.

Enable Boot Logging

Use this option to see what did and did not load during the boot process. A computer attempts to repair the computer using Startup Repair. Startup Repair does not seem to work. Instead, the computer asks you to choose an option from the Startup Settings screen to see what did and did not load during the boot. For instance, if the problem is getting a device to work, the user can check Ntbtlog.txt.

Local Security Authority Process

Used to authenticate user account and password information.

Repair Upgrade

Will the start the installation using the OS now on the computer. Also, the customer can refresh Windows 10. To reset Windows 10, the customer will go to recovery and use the Rest this PC option. When prompted, he will click Keep my files. Resetting Windows 10 will remove all installed apps and drivers.

Custom Installation

Would be a clean install of Windows 10. This would a person to lose his personal files, apps, and Windows settings.

BIOS/UEFI

You can go into this mode to disable a quick boot, but if you are not getting an error that the HDD is not working, then there is no reason to check. You can use to verify the computer is communicating with the hard drive.