Perform a Clean Boot using the MSCONFIG utility
A Clean Boot is a method of starting Microsoft Windows in Normal Mode (as opposed to Safe Mode) with the minimum of drivers, startup programs and services.
A Clean Boot is one method that can be used in diagnosing Windows startup problems, especially in cases where there is a software conflict or driver problem.
Note: If Windows will not boot into Normal Mode, this procedure can be performed in Safe Mode, as an aid to getting the computer working again in Normal Mode.
To perform a Clean Boot, we need to run the MSCONFIG utility.
- on Windows XP – Click Start, then click Run. Type msconfig in the text box then click OK.
- on Windows Vista and Windows 7 – Click Start. In the text box where is says ‘Search programs and files’ type msconfig and hit Enter.
When MSCONFIG starts up, it will open a new dialog box with several tabs along the top.
Step 1 – Disable non-essential Services
Click the Services tab.
Make sure the checkbox at the bottom of the dialog box labelled ‘Hide all Microsoft services’ is ticked.
In the list of services, untick all remaining services.
Step 2 – Disable Startup programs
Click the Startup tab.
Untick all the startup programs.
Then click OK and restart the computer.
When the compuer restarts, only the Microsoft services will run. No 3rd party services or drivers will startup, and no 3rd party startup programs will be launched.
If this process allows the computer to boot without problems, you can go back into MSCONFIG and start an iterative process of re-enabling services and startup programs and retarting the computer, until you find the service or startup item that causes the problem to reoccur.
Once you have identified the problem software, you can take the necessary corrective action to fix or remove it.
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