Windows OS StartUp Files

Good Evening,

I've W2KP and currently in the process of learning OS fundamentals. As per the help file definitions,

Active Partition: Contains Operating System *StartUp* Files and also is Primary Partition.

Boot Partition: Has Operating System and Support Files.

System Partition: Contains HardWare Specific Files like Boot.ini, Ntdetect.com, Ntldr.

My questions are

1]. Are these definitions true of *ALL* OS's?
2]. What files make up the *StartUp* Files? Did Google on it, but couldn't find a website which listed all the *StartUp* files.
3]. What files make up the Support Files in Boot Partition?

Your Suggestions/Guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou.

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Originally posted here by FallenZer0
[B]
1]. Are these definitions true of *ALL* OS's?

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Absolutely not. A DOS-compatible partition table is probably not even required of a PC OS (Are win2k dynamic disks dos-compatible?)

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2]. What files make up the *StartUp* Files? Did Google on it, but couldn't find a website which listed all the *StartUp* files.

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It's probably system dependent.

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3]. What files make up the Support Files in Boot Partition?

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It's also system dependent.

Slarty

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I've W2KP and currently in the process of learning OS fundamentals.

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Start with something "simpler" and work your way up as you go.

IMO a good start would be MINIX.

http://www.cs.vu.nl/~ast/minix.html

Good Morning,

Thankyou Slarty, SirDice for your suggestions.

I've currently enrolled in MCSE and our machines run Windows XP. This is the path I'm planning to pursue. The greatest benefit you could do me is just a little bit of your suggestions/guidance. Just show me the path. I'm willing to do what ever it takes to learn.

I searched the Microsoft KB under Windows XP for StartUp files, and I did not find what I was looking for. So if anyone of you know of any links I would greatly appreciate it. I want to find out what files make up the StartUp files in the Primary Partition of a Windows XP Machine.

Thankyou & Have A Great Day.

Intel x86-Based System Boot Sequence and Files. It talks about good ol' NT but 2K and XP are based on that. AFAIK the actual boot sequence hasn't changed.

The process is called "Boot sequence". If you search for that on google you'll find lots of information. That'll keep you reading for a while ;)

If want to know how most *nix systems boot search for "System V boot sequence".