Startup Phases for X86 Windows Systems

Troubleshooting Startup

Startup Phases for x86-based Systems


The Windows XP Professional startup process closely resembles that of Microsoft® Windows NT® version 4.0 and Microsoft® Windows® 2000, but significantly differs from Microsoft® MSDOS®, Microsoft® Windows® 95, Microsoft® Windows® 98, and Microsoft® Windows® Millennium Edition (Windows Me).

All computers running Windows XP Professional share the same startup sequence:



Power-on self test (POST) phase



Initial startup phase



Boot loader phase



Detect and configure hardware phase



Kernel loading phase



Logon phase



The preceding startup sequence applies to systems started or restarted after a normal shutdown, and does not apply when you bring your computer out of hibernation or standby.