Colin's Weekly Tip: Modify your MSDOS.SYS file for faster Boots

[Colin]

For users of Win9x/ME you can increase the boot time of your system a bit with a few simple tweaks to the MSDOS.SYS file in the root directory of your hard drive. The first thing you want to do is remove the write protection on the file. <BR> <BR>Load up your Windows Explorer and go to the "Tools" menu. Inside select "Folder Options...", a window should pop up. Click the "View" tab and in the lower 2/3rd of the pop up menu you should see "Advanced settings:". From there scroll down and find the radio button "Show hidden files and folders". Make sure it's selected then press the "OK" button. Now all the hidden files and folders on your hard drive will be shown.<BR> <BR>Now use Notepad to open up your MSDOS.SYS file and add/edit these lines to look like this...<BR> <BR>Logo=0<BR>Bootdelay=0<BR>Doublebuffer=1<BR>Dblspace=0<BR>Drvspace=0<BR><BR>After you've made the changes save and exit. From now on when you boot your Win9x/ME system you should notice it boots just a tad faster now! =)

[Peliroja]

I have tried to find the system file msdos.sys so that I can edit it, but failed. My hidden files are made visible in folder options and when I am in the root directory in dos or use the dos-prompt, if I type "edit msdos.sys" the file pops up but obviously as a read only file so I can't do anything with it. I've tried the search facility on the start menu but that can't seem to find it either. Help! (if you can) What am I doing wrong?

[CHE]

Before you start, be sure to backup the file to a location you can find from DOS just in case you trash it. Also, make sure you have a bootable floppy in case there is a problem.<BR><BR><BR><BR>If you are having a problem because the file is read only, and you can't change it, then do this:<BR><BR>1. Open Windows Explorer<BR>2. You have stated that your system is set to Show All Files, confirm this now.<BR>3. Go to the root directory of your boot drive. Locate MSDOS.sys. Right-click on the file and select Properties. One of the radio buttons at the bottom of the window will have a check mark next to "Read Only." Deselect that option so that the file is no longer Read Only.<BR>4. Edit from DOS or Notepad as you desire.<BR><BR>If you are having problems seeing the file from within Notepad, this may sound silly, but you need to:<BR><BR>1. Open Notepad.<BR>2. Select File->Open<BR>3. Change the directory in the window to the root directory of your boot drive.<BR>4. Change the "Files of type" drop down selection from ".txt" to "All Files." If you are looking in the right spot, you should now see the file.<BR><BR>

[Ambian]

which OSs does this trick work with?

[CHE]

<i>"For users of Win9x/ME you..."</i><BR><BR>I'm assuming that means Windows 95, 98, and ME but logic doesn't always apply to computers <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

[Ambian]

I was referring to...<BR>Has this been tested to work with 2k/XP?

[CHE]

I am running neither. Good question. Based on the introduction of the thread, it seems questionable at least to me.

[Ambian]

Colin? <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

[Ambian]

yup, thanks