Prepare Materials and Tools Used for Configuration

A key to a well-tuned, trouble-free system is proper configuration. In order to

accomplish this, you must start by understanding its configuration. It can be difficult
to figure out all the devices in your system and the resources they are using.
To assist in this, several software tools have been created. These are
typically called diagnostic utilities or programs. Some of them are built-in to
your operating system and others are available either for free download or
commercial purchase.
Some of the built-in tools used in Microsoft system configuration
involves Microsoft System Configuration, Register Edit, Direct X and Control
Panel Applets.

1. Microsoft System Configuration: This boot configuration utility allows you

to set the programs that will run at startup and to edit configuration files. It
also offers simplified control over Windows Services.
System Configuration Utility consists of five functional tabs such as
General, Boot, Services, StartUp and Tools. The succeeding table
describes the use and functionality of each tab:

Table 1. General Tab of System Config Utility

Tab Function and Description

The general tab is the default tab in the System
configuration and shows how the computer will start, by
default Normal startup should be selected.

List of choices for startup configuration:

Normal Startup. Starts Windows in the usual manner.
Use this mode to start Windows after you are done
General using the other two modes to troubleshoot the
problem.
Diagnostic Startup. Starts Windows with basic
services and drivers only. This mode can help rule out
basic Windows files as the problem.
Selective Settings. Starts Windows with basic services
and drivers and the other services and startup
programs that you select.
 Figure 4. General Tab

Table 2. Boot Tab of System Config Utility

Tab Function and Description

This tab allows you to make the same adjustments you
can make in the Windows boot.ini file without having to edit
the file. It shows configuration options for the operating
system and advanced debugging settings, including the
following:

Safe boot (Minimal): Boots the Windows graphics user

interface in safe mode running only critical system
services. Networking is disabled.
Safe Boot (Alternate Shell): Boots the Windows
Boot Command Prompt in safe mode running only critical
system services. Networking and the graphical user
interface are disabled.
Safe Boot (Active Directory Repair): Boots the
Windows graphical user interface in safe mode
running critical system services and Active Directory.
Safe boot (Network): Boots the Windows graphical
user interface in safe mode running only critical
system services. Networking is enabled.
No GUI boot. Does not display Windows splash screen
when booting.
 Boot Log. Stores all information from the boot process
in the file %SystemRoot% Ntbtlog.txt.
Base Video. Boots to the Windows graphical user
interface in minimal VGA mode. This loads standard
VGA drivers instead of display drivers specific to the
video hardware on the computer.
OS boot information. Shows driver names as drivers
are being loaded during the boot process.
Make all boot settings permanent. Does not track
changes made in System Configuration. Options can
be changed later using System Configuration, but
must be changed manually. When this option is
selected, you cannot roll back your changes by
selecting Normal startup on the General tab.

Figure 5. Boot Tab

Table 3. Services Tab of System Config Utility

Tab Function and Description

The Services tab allows you to enable or disable any
of the Microsoft Windows services or other program services
running on the computer. It lists all the services that start
Services
when the computer boots, along with their status (Running or
Stopped). By checking the "Hide all Microsoft services" box
at the bottom of the window, you can see all non-Windows
 services such as driver services and program services that
are often the cause of startup problems. Unchecking a box
will disable the service from starting.

Warning: Oral Presentation

Disabling services that normally run at boot time Directions: After the thorough research and exploration, you have to present
might cause some programs to malfunction or result in your work individually in an oral presentation. Your performance will be rated
system instability. Do not disable services in this list unless based on the rubrics provided in this section.
operation. Selecting Disable all will not disable some secure
Microsoft services required for the operating system to start.
Rubrics for Oral Presentation

B D AP P A
CRITERIA
(70- 74) (75-79) (80-84) (85-89) (90-100)

1. Gave an interesting
introduction
2. Presented clear
explanation of topic
3. Presented information in
a logical manner
4. Used complete sentence
5. Offered a concluding
statement
6. Spoke clearly, correctly,
distinctly, and confidently
Figure 6. Services Tab
7. Maintained eye contact
Table 4. Start Up Tab of System Config Utility 8. Maintained good and
proper posture
Tab Function and Description 9. Utilized audio-visual
The Startup tab is one of the most frequent reasons materials
most Windows users enter the System Configuration utility. 10. Answered questions
In the Startup tab, you will be able to see the list of sufficiently and received
applications that run when the computer boots, along with comments openly
the name of their publisher, the path to the executable file, Total
Startup and the location of the registry key or shortcut that causes Grand Total
the application to run. These startup programs are often one
of the biggest causes for a computer to startup and run slow. Legend:
You can clear the check box for a startup item to disable it on B- Beginner P- Proficient
your next boot. If you have chosen Selective startup on the
D- Developing A- Advance
General Tab, you must either choose Normal startup on the
AP- Approaching Proficiency
 to discuss these issues.
these issues. again at boot time. If you suspect an application has been
compromised, examine the Command column to review the
Quality of Writing The essay The essay The essay The essay path to the executable file.
(25%) was not well was well was well was well
written, and written for written for the written from Windows 8 Microsoft has removed this Startup
Clarity and contains some part, most part, start to finish, feature in the System Configuration utility and moved it into
cohesiveness of many spelling without without without the Windows 8 Task Manager. Uncheck any program that
sentences and
errors, and/or spelling, spelling, spelling, you want to disable from starting up each time.
paragraphs
No errors in grammar grammar or grammar or grammar or
errors and/or use of use of use of Note:
spelling, grammar Disabling applications that normally run at boot time might
and use of English use of English English English
result in related applications starting more slowly or not
Organization and English errors. errors. errors. running as expected.
coherence of errors. The essay is The essay is The essay
ideas It lacks clarity for some part for the most was well
and/or does well part well organized,
not present organized, organized, clear and
ideas in a clear and clear and presents
coherent presents presents ideas in a
way. ideas in a ideas in a coherent
coherent coherent way.
way. way.
References (10%) References Some of the Most of the All of the
were not references references references
Soundness of appropriately were were were
references used and appropriately appropriately appropriately
cited. used and used and used and
cited. cited. cited.

Figure 7. Startup Tab

Table 5. Tools Tab of System Config Utility

Tab Function and Description

This Provides a convenient list of diagnostic tools and
Tools other advanced tools that you can run.
 Research and Explore

Directions: Conduct a research that identifies other available tools used for
computer system and network configuration. Use some other resources like
the World Wide Web and interview a practitioner (preferably an IT specialist
or a computer technician) to find out the different tools they use for
configuration. Your research will be rated according to the following criteria:

Rubrics for Term or Research Paper

Very Good Excellent

Qualities & Criteria Poor (70-74) Good (75-79)
(80-89) (90-100)
Format/Layout Followed Some format Most format All the
Figure 8. Tools Tab
(15%) poorly the and layout and layout requirements
2. Register edit: This application allows you to edit the registry. requirements related related related to
Presentation of the related to requirements requirements format and
The Windows Registry, usually referred to as "the registry," is a
text format and were met. were met. layout were
collection of databases of configuration settings in Microsoft Structuring of text
Windows operating systems. layout. strictly
Requirements of
length, font and followed.
In Windows 2000 and Windows XP, the Registry is stored in several
style followed
Hives, located in the following path: \windows\system32\config and
Content/Information The research The research The research The research
\Documents and Settings\ {username} folders. (50%) was not was objective was objective was objective
objective and and for some and for the and
Structure of the Registry All elements of the poorly part most part addresses
topics are addresses addresses an addresses an with an in-
1. The Registry has a hierarchical structure, like the directories on your addressed
the issues in-depth in-depth depth
hard disk. Each branch (denoted by a folder icon in the Registry Editor, The information is
technically sound referred in analysis analysis of analysis all
see below) is called a key. Each key can contain other keys, as well as
Values. Each value contains the actual information stored in the Registry. Information based the proposed The provided most issues the issues
on careful topic. information referred in referred in
There are three types of values: String, Binary, and DWORD - the use of
research The provided was, for some the proposed the proposed
these depends upon the context. Coherence of information part, topic. topic.
2. There are six main branches (five in Windows 2000 and Windows XP), information was not necessary The provided The provided
each containing a specific portion of the information stored in the Registry. necessary or and sufficient information information
They are as follows: not sufficient to discuss was, for the was
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT - this branch contains all of your file to discuss these issues. most part, necessary
types as well as OLE information for all your OLE-aware these issues. necessary and sufficient
applications. and sufficient to discuss
II. Applet Grouping HKEY_CURRENT_USER - this branch points to the part of
Directions: Complete the diagram of various Control Panel Applets with the HKEY_USERS appropriate for the current user.
components included in their category. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE - this branch contains information
about all of the hardware and software installed in your
computer. Since you can specify multiple hardware
configurations, the current hardware configuration is specified in
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG.
HKEY_USERS - this branch contains certain preferences (such
as colors and control panel settings) for each of the users of the
computer. In Windows 95/98/Me, the default branch here
contains the currently-logged in user. In Windows 2000/XP, the
default branch here contains a template to be used for newly-
added users.
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG - this branch points to the part of
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE appropriate for the current hardware
configuration.
HKEY_DYN_DATA (Windows 95/98/Me only) - this branch
points to the part of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, for use with
Windows' Plug-&-Play subsystem.

3. Direct X Diagnostic: The Microsoft DirectX Diagnostic Tool provides

you with information about the DirectX API components and drivers on
your system. It enables you to test sound and graphics output and
Microsoft DirectPlay service providers. You can use the diagnostic tool
to gather information about your system to use for diagnostic
purposes.
If you are experiencing problems when running
Microsoft DirectX applications, the DirectX Diagnostic Tool can help
you find the source of the trouble such as incorrect versions of DirectX
components, lack of hardware acceleration, devices that are not
connected and unsigned drivers.
 Printers and Other Hardware: Applets to configure devices
connected to your computer:
Game controllers
Keyboard
Mouse
Phone and modem options
Printers and faxes
Scanners and cameras
User Accounts: Applets to configure options for users and their e-
mail:
E-mail
User accounts
Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options: Applets to change
settings based on your location and language:
Date and time
Regional and language options
Accessibility Options: A wizard used to configure windows for
Figure 9. DX Diagnostic Tool
vision, hearing, and mobility needs
4. Control Panel applets Security Center: Applet used to configure security settings for:
Internet options
The names of various applets in the Control Panel differ slightly
Automatic updates
depending on the version of Windows installed. In Windows XP, the
Windows firewall
icons are grouped into categories:
Appearance and Themes: Applets that control the look of
windows:
Display
Taskbar and Start menu
Folder options I. MS Configuration Command Classification
Network and Internet Connections: Applets that configure all the Directions: There are five functional tabs in MS Configuration utility, namely
connection types: General, Boot, Services, Startup and Tools. Classify the following items
Internet options according to the tabs they belong to. Write your answer on a separate paper.
Network connections
Add or Remove Programs: An applet to add or remove programs
and windows components safely 1. Event Viewer 6. No GUI Boot
Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices: Applets that control all the 2. Safe Boot 7. OS Boot information
settings for sound: 3. List of services that start 8. Hide All Microsoft Services
Sounds and audio devices when computer boots 9. Convenient List of
Speech 4. Make all boot settings Diagnostic Tools
Portable media devices permanent 10. Base Video
Performance and Maintenance: Applets to find information about
5. Normal startup
your computer or perform maintenance:
Administrative tools
Power options
Scheduled tasks
System