Speaking of hardware configuration files, many friends have neglected its role in Windows XP, in fact, if used properly, can greatly improve the efficiency of the system. What is a hardware configuration file? The so-called hardware configuration file refers to a series of instructions that tell Windows which devices should be started when starting the computer, and which settings in each device. When the user first installs Windows, the system automatically creates a hardware configuration file named “Profile 1”. By default, all the Windows installed in the “Profile 1” hardware configuration file are enabled on this computer. On the device. From the "System Properties" "Hardware" dialog box, you can see that there is a "Hardware Profile" button, click to open the window shown in Figure 1, displayed in the "Available Hardware Profiles" list. A list of hardware profiles available on the local computer. What the hardware configuration file does
Load only the device drivers in the hardware configuration file
Under "Available hardware profiles", use the arrow buttons to move the hardware configuration file that needs to be the default setting to the top of the list. Only hardware devices enabled in the selected profile are loaded when Windows starts. Once the hardware profile is created, we can use Device Manager to disable and enable the device in the configuration file so that the device's drivers are not loaded the next time the computer is booted, which increases system startup speed. Quickly switch between different work environments
As mentioned earlier, we can create multiple different hardware profiles at the same time to suit different working environments, just select "Wait for user-selected hardware" in the "Hardware Profile Selection" section. The "configuration file" item can be used. When the computer is started later, a "hardware configuration file" selection menu similar to the multi-boot menu will appear, and the different working environments can be switched at will. For laptop users, the hardware profile will be very useful, as most laptops are used on the move, and the hardware profile allows the user to change when the user moves the laptop from one place to another. The device used by the computer, for example, we can create multiple hardware profiles for different occasions, which is very convenient to switch. Increase startup speed
If you have not created multiple different hardware profiles, or if you want to automatically load the default hardware profile during startup without displaying the list items, then "seconds" in the "Hardware Profile Selection" section Enter "0" in "." Of course, even if you still select a different hardware profile from the list, just press and hold the spacebar at startup to display the list. Restoring the default configuration
If the hardware changes exceed a certain limit, Windows XP may require the user to reactivate the system, which is very cumbersome. However, if we backed up the original hardware configuration file each time we installed or changed the hardware, just click the "Copy" button from the window in Figure 1, and then type in the "Copy Configuration File" dialog box shown in Figure 2. The new file name is fine. When there is a problem in the future, you can re-import the previously backed up hardware configuration file. It should be noted here that the above operation must be logged in as the system administrator. Clearing redundant hardware information in the system
If you frequently plug in and unplug hardware devices due to some needs, the process of repeatedly installing drivers will leave a lot of hardware registration information in the system, and it will be repeated when the system starts. These non-existent devices communicate, which causes the system to slow down. How to clear these redundant hardware information? Very simple, we can delete the "Profile 1" hardware configuration file, and then re-create a new hardware file, this is the new system. To be on the safe side, don't delete it right away. Click the "Copy" button to back up (Profile 2), then rename it, for example, to "Profile", then restart the computer. The following prompt will appear: Windows Cannot determine what configuration your computer is in select one of the following: 1.Profile 2.Profile 2 3.None of the above Here, "1" and "2" are hardware configuration files that already exist in the system. Of course, we choose "3", this will allow Windows to re-detect the hardware, then the "Detect Hardware" dialog box will appear on the screen, and prompt "When you start the computer with the new configuration for the first time, Windows must make some adjustments. This process requires approximately "A few minutes", the "Configuration Settings" dialog box will appear later, prompting "Windows has successfully set up the configuration of the new computer, its name is Profile 1", click the "OK" button, then you can reinstall the hardware device Drivers. Note that after rebooting the system, remember to delete the two hardware configuration files except Profile 1, otherwise you will still be asked which configuration file to use when booting.