"Clean booting" is a technique for troubleshooting problems for which the cause is not

immediately self-evident, especially startup problems. By disabling common startup programs,

settings and drivers, it eliminates potential software conflicts which might be the cause of the
problem. These may then be progressively re-enabled, so as to help pinpoint the source of the
problem.

This tutorial describes:

how to perform a clean boot

how to start the Windows Installer service, and

how to restore your system from a clean boot state.

under Windows XP.

The System Configuration Utility automates many of the routine troubleshooting steps taken
when attempting to diagnose system configuration issues. It allows many aspects of the system
configuration to be modified safely, without the risk of typing errors you may make when you
use a text editor such as Microsoft Notepad. It can also be used to prevent specified system files
from loading when the system is booted, facilitating the diagnoses of error by a process of
elimination.

How to clean boot Windows XP

Click Start followed by Run.

Type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.

On the General tab, select Selective Startup, and then clear the Process System.ini File,
Process Win.ini File, and Load Startup Items check boxes. (Note that you'll not be allowed to
clear the Use Original Boot.ini check box).
Click OK.

On the Services tab, select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box ...
... and then click Disable All.

Click OK ...

... and then Restart to restart your PC.

Click OK when the message warning you that you have used the System Configuration Utility
to change the way in which Windows starts is displayed.
Look closely at the General tab to make sure that the check boxes that you cleared are still
cleared. If this is the case, it means that your computer is has performed a clean boot.

However, if the problem has persisted, you'll have to repeat the process having first also cleared
the Load System Services check box on the General tab.

De-selecting Load System Services will temporarily disable Microsoft services (such as,
Networking, Plug and Play, Event Logging, and Error Reporting) as well as permanently deleting
all restore points for the System Restore utility. You should not, therefore do this if you either
want to retain your restore points for System Restore or if you're likely to need to use a
Microsoft service to further investigate the problem you're having.
If the problem persists even with Load System Services disabled, you're going to have to pursue
alternative strategies to try to identify remedy it, perhaps by getting help from the manufacturer
of any program that is apparently placing a check mark back in Msconfig.

If you're able to determine that a clean boot has resolved the problem you can now progressively
add items back into the Startup Selection until the problem re-appears.

Begin by selecting the Process System.ini File.

Click OK followed by Restart.

If the problem re-appears, it means the cause lies with an entry in your System.ini file.

If not, repeat the process for each of the Process Win.ini File, Load Startup Items and Load
System Services check boxes in turn, until the problem does re-appear occurs. The last item that
you selected will be the source of the problem and therefore the subject of further investigation.

How to start the Windows Installer service

If the process of using the System Configuration Utility to modify the Startup Selection
requires you to de-select the Load System Services, an unavoidable consequence will be the
disabling of the Windows Installer service.

In the event of the problem under investigation requiring subsequent use of the Windows
Installer service, it may be started manually as follows.
Right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.

In the left pane, expand Services and Applications, and then select Services.
In the right pane, right-click Windows Installer, and then click Start.

How to restore your system from a clean boot

state
Click Start followed by Run ...

... type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.

On the General tab, select Normal Startup - load all device drivers and services.
Click OK ...

... and then Restart to restart your PC.

Click OK when the message warning you that you have used the System Configuration Utility
to change the way in which Windows starts is displayed.