Speaking of hardware configuration files, many friends have neglected its role in Windows XP, in fact, if used properly, can greatly improve the system's work efficiency.
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 the "Available Hardware Profiles" list A list of hardware profiles available on the local computer is shown.
The role of the hardware configuration file
Load only the device driver in the hardware configuration file
Under "Available hardware configuration file", use the arrow button to use the default as required The set hardware profile is moved to the top of the list so that only the 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 working environments
As mentioned above, we can create multiple different hardware profiles at the same time to adapt to different working environments, as long as the "hardware configuration file selection" Select the "Wait for the user to select the hardware profile" item on the section. When you start the computer later, it will appear similar to the multi-boot menu. Xie Yuhuang's tomb is fat and forgive?
For laptop users, the hardware configuration file will be very practical, because most laptops are used in mobile situations, when users will notebook When a computer moves from one place to another, the hardware profile allows the user to change 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 want to automatically load the default during startup For hardware configuration files instead of list items, enter "0" in "Second" in the "Hardware Profile Selection" section. Of course, even if you still select a different hardware profile from the list, just press at startup The space bar will display the list.
Restore the default configuration
If the hardware changes exceed a certain limit, Windows XP may require the user to reactivate the system, which is very troublesome. If we backed up the original hardware configuration file each time we installed or changed the hardware, just click the "Copy" button from the Figure 1 window and type a new file name in the "Copy Configuration File" dialog box as shown. You can, in the future, you can re-import this previously backed up hardware configuration file.
It should be noted that the above operation must be logged in as the system administrator.
Clear the redundant hardware information in the system
If you need to plug and unplug the hardware device due to some needs, repeat the installation drive The process of the program will leave a lot of hardware registration information in the system. When the system starts, it will repeatedly communicate with these non-existent devices, which will slow down the system. How to clear the 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. For the sake of insurance, do not delete it immediately, click first The “Copy” button is backed up (Profile 2), then renamed, for example to “Profile”, and then restarted, 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" is the hardware configuration file that already exists in the system. Of course, we choose "3", so that Windows can re-detect the hardware, and "Detection will appear on the screen. "Hardware" dialog box and prompts "Windows must make some adjustments when starting the computer with the new configuration for the first time. This process takes about a few minutes. The "Configuration Settings" dialog box will appear, 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 drivers for the hardware devices.
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.