Dear Computer friends: I'm learning about parts of the computer I never knew about before. I would like to better understand what the following are and what they do and how to work them: WIN.INI CONFIG.SYS AUTOEXEC.BAT MSCONFIG IRQ SETTINGS and knowing how to use them Also, I keep hearing about 'cleaning' programs that clean up the system registry. I have done a scan of the registry, but not knowing what the files are exactly for, I don't delete them, but I'm curious to learn and improve my understanding... If anyone can answer the above questions and/or direct me to a website(s) that provide basic info/understanding about these technical parts of a computer, I'd be appreciative. jester

Hi Jesterabk, [Alex Trabek with Jeapordy] "We have the following Catagories listed on the board." WIN.INI CONFIG.SYS AUTOEXEC.BAT MSCONFIG IRQ SETTINGS [Mesich]"I shall try autoexec.bat for $250.00." [Alex] "What is the autoexec.bat file and it's purpose". [Mesich] The Autoexec.bat is a file that is used to to automatically run commands when you boot up your computer. It's an abbriviation from Automatically Executed Batch File. It is no longer needed with Win95 and Win98 unless of course you are planning on using dos based applications on your PC. For example in my autoexec.exe is a command @C:\PROGRA~1\GRIFSOFT\AVG6\bootup.exe. This batch file will run at every boot up and for this particular one will scan run AVG antivirus bootup to scan my MBR for viruses. HTH and I hope I didn't add batch file and MBR to your list!! Do I get the $250.00 and another chance! :) Good Day! Mesich

Hey jesterabk Nice long list. I'll do my Simple Simon bit and pick up config.sys This file is for configuring your system for use when running in DOS. Like autoexec.bat it is not actually necessary for running Windows. Mine would be empty except that I live in the UK and I tell it to change the keyboard from USA to US when I restart in DOS. If you never use DOS (except for fault diagnosis) you don't really need config.sys

[Alex]"I'm sorry Mesich, but you didn't phrase your response in the form of a question" [Dave]"I'll take config.sys for $100." [Alex]"The system file that configures your system's hardware" [Dave]"What is config.sys?"

Can I still have a stab at MSCONFIG say for a $1000.00? Good Day! Mesich

[Alex]"OK Mesich, but this time remember the rules. This isn't The Dating Game, you know."

[Alex] This System Configuration Utility provides a graphical interface for configuring the Win98 Startup Enviroment. It lets you troubleshoot by creating a clean environment to test against. Using the different options will allow the user a process of elimination that can identify the source of the problem. I will also allow the user to edit the lines of Win98 configuartion files. Config.sys or System.ini. You can also use the above files to remove lines individually in the files. It will also allow a user to disable things in the registry startup group Run/Run Services. Backups of the system files can also be done using the utility. Just to briefly touch on the different options of the utility: Under the General Tab you can enable or prevent the loading of specific device drivers and software. You can also stop the loading of config.sys, autoexec.bat, system.ini, win.ini. Under the config.sys, autoexec.bat, system.ini and win.ini you can edit the lines or remark out a line to prevent it from loading. One of the more popular uses with this utility is the Startup Tab. Options here include the Enabling or Disabling of specific item loaded by the operating system on startup. This information comes from the registry or any win.ini items on the startup menu in Programs. The Advanced button within the General Tab which has many options to include the highly used Disable Fast Shutdown in Win98 for those whom have not yet downloaded the shutdown patch. A couple of other options here are VGA 640 X 480 X 16. This will force the display to Standard VGA MODE. May help in troubleshooting display problems. Enable Startup Menu will start the give the user a boot menu at every startup. Normal, Safe-Mode, Command Prompt, Step by Step confirmation. Might not be in that order but... [Mesich] What is the System Configuration Utility also know as MSCONFIG. Can I have my money now Dave357? Good Day All! Mesich