Speaking of hardware configuration files, many of my friends have overlooked its role in Windows XP. In fact, if used properly, it 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, which will open (as shown in Figure 1) after the window is clicked. A list of hardware profiles available on the local computer is displayed in the Hardware Profiles list.
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, the “Hardware Profile” selection menu similar to the multi-boot menu will appear. You can switch between different working environments at any time.
For laptop users, the hardware configuration file will be very useful, because most laptops are used in mobile situations when users move the laptop from one place to another. The hardware configuration file 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 you want to automatically load the default hardware configuration file during startup without displaying list items, then please Enter "0" in "Seconds" in the Profile Selection section. 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.
Restore default configuration
If the hardware changes exceed a certain limit, Windows XP may require the user to reactivate the system, which is very troublesome. However, if we backed up the original hardware configuration file before each installation or change of hardware, just click the "Copy" button from the window in Figure 1, and then in the "Copy Configuration File" dialog box shown in (Figure 2) Just type in a new file name and you can re-import the previously backed up hardware configuration file when problems occur.
to note here is that the operation must log in as a system administrator's job.
Clear the redundant hardware information in the system
If you often need to plug in the hardware device due to some needs, this process of repeatedly installing the driver will leave a lot of hardware registration in the system. Information, when the system starts up, it will repeatedly communicate with these non-existent devices, which will slow down the system. 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: < BR>
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 the "1" and "2" are the hardware configuration files that already exist in the system. Of course, we choose "3", so that Windows can re-detect the hardware, and the screen will appear " "Detect hardware" dialog box, and prompts "When you start the computer with the new configuration, Windows must make some adjustments. This process takes about 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, and then you can reinstall the drivers for the hardware device.
Note, after restarting the system, remember to delete the two hardware configuration files except Profile 1, otherwise you will still ask which configuration file to use when booting.