WIN2000/NT/XP BOOT PROCESS

1. BIOS runs POST.
2. Computer finds the boot device and loads Master Boot Record (MBR) into RAM.
3. MBR looks for the active partition on the boot device and loads the boot sector.
4. The boot sector in turn starts the Ntldr file which will load the operating system.
5. Ntldr configures the computer’s processor to recognize all of the memory.
6. Ntldr will start the file system, and the operating system will load, whether it is FAT or NTFS.
7. Ntldr checks the Boot.ini file to find the operating system(s) and to create the boot menu.
8. After the operating system is selected, Ntldr will run Ntdetect.com which will make the hardware list.
9. Ntldr will load Ntoskrnl.exe which is the kernel of the operating system.
10. The operating system will start the graphical interface.
11. Ntoskrnl.exe loads Smss.exe which is the Session Manager.
12. The user logs on.