On the OS Technologies exam, you are expected to know the role of each of the system files in the boot process and in establishing the operating environment for the hardware and operating system. We're starting with the Windows 9x files because Windows 3x files that are on the test are still in use in Windows 9x.
Here are the files you should know and what you should know about them:
- AUTOEXEC.BAT: This file is used to load real-mode drivers when a protected-mode driver isn't available. For example, on WIndows 3x system or on a Windows 9x system with an incompatible CD-ROM device, the MSCDEX (Microsoft CD extensions) file is loaded from this file. The drivers listed in the AUOTEXEC.BAT file are loaded before the 32-bit portion of the operating system is loaded. On most Windows 9x systems, the AUTOEXEC.BAT is mostly empty with its functions covered by the IO.SYS file.
- BOOTLOG.TXT: A logged record of the Windows 9x boot sequence that is created when a logged boot is requested.
- COMMAND.COM: The Windows 9x command-line processor. A boot to just the command line prompt would end with this file.
- CONFIG.SYS: Like its companion the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, this file is only used on the Windows 9x systems, to load real-mode device drivers. Most of what the CONFIG.SYS file did for DOS and Windows 3x is now performed in the IO.SYS file. However, if EMM386.EXE is loaded, it is still done from the CONFIG.SYS file.
- DETLOG.TXT: This log file tracks the automatic hardware-detection processes in Windows 9x. Each time a new piece of hardware is detected, an entry is made to this file. If the system crashes during this hardware-detection process, Windows uses this file to determine the source of the problem.
- IO.SYS: This file is the Windows 9x equivalent of the DOS IO.SYS, MSDOS.SYS, CONFIG.SYS, and AUTOEXEC.BAT files all rolled into one.
- LOGO.SYS: This file is actually the 320 x 400 bit-mapped wallpaper that is displayed during the boot sequence. If you wish to replace it with something of your own, create a 320 x 200 bit-mapped (8-bit) file in the MS Paint or another drawing package and save it as LOGO.SYS in the C: drive's root directory. Be sure to back up the original LOGO.SYS first.
- MSDOS.SYS:Unlike its DOS binary file processor, the Windows 9x file is a text file that contains the locations ([Paths]) of other Windows files (such as the Registry) and any modifications ([Options]) made to the boot process.
- SCANDISK.LOG: A log file that records the results of the most recent ScanDisk operation that is overwritten each time this disk utility runs.
- SETUPLOG.TXT: A log file record that is created and updated during the installation process of Windows 9x by the Setup program. Should Setup crash, Windows uses this file to help identify the problem.
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