A+ Certification/Exam Objectives/Windows

WIN95/98/ME BOOT PROCESS (Similar to DOS)

 * 1) POST is performed.
 * 2) Master Boot Record (MBR) is loaded into RAM and locates the boot sector.  The boot sector then locates the Io.sys.
 * 3) The Io.sys runs Sysinit and loads Msdos.sys into RAM.
 * 4) Io.sys then loads System.dat, but does not process at this time.
 * 5) Io.sys then loads Config.sys and Autoexec.bat.  These are not necessary to load the operating system, but are needed when 16 bit (real mode) drivers are used.
 * 6) Io.sys then loads Win.com which start the operating system.
 * 7) Win.com loads drivers specified by the registry.
 * 8) Win.com processes the System.ini and Win.ini files.  System.ini is used to configure the memory cache and buffers.  Win.ini is used for 16-bit applications.  Otherwise, they are run by the registry.
 * 9) Win.com will start KERNEL32.DLL, KERNEL386.EXE, GDI.EXE, and  GDI32.EXE.  The Kernel files are the operating systems.  The GDI files are responsible for the graphical functions and display.
 * 10) The Kernel files will load the Explorer user interface, which includes the Desktop, Taskbar, and Start Menu.
 * 11) The Kernel will then process anything in the Startup folder and restore network connections.
 * 12) The user can now interact with the operating system.