Published by Sid
on 22 March 2008
Filled under: Microsoft Windows
No Comments

Boot.ini: how to change the default start mode

image You can change the default start mode of Windows XP and 2003 (in Windows Vista you can do that using the graphical interface under administration tools).

The available modes are that one available using F8.

A sample boot.ini would be:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows
2000 Advanced Server" /fastdetect /SAFEBOOT:MINIMAL(ALTERNATESHELL)

The available options are:

  • Safe Mode
    /safeboot:minimal /sos /bootlog /noguiboot
  • Safe Mode with Networking
    /safeboot:network /sos /bootlog /noguiboot
  • Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    /safeboot:minimal (alternateshell) /sos /bootlog /noguiboot
  • Enable Boot Logging
    /bootlog
  • Enable VGA Mode
    /basevideo
  • Directory Services Restore Mode (Domain Controllers Only)
    /safeboot:dsrepair /sos
  • Debugging Mode
    /debug

The /sos /bootlog /noguiboot options are optional, but useful for troubleshooting. They are automatically used when using F8.

A lots of other options are available. You can refer to the Microsoft website for them.


Share this article: Facebook, Digg This, Del.icio.us, StumbleUpon, Tweet this
RSS 2.0 feed | Trackback