Timeout line in boot.ini file

[George]

The timeout line in my boot.ini file reads "timeout=30". Hoping
to get Windows to boot up faster, I changed the 30 to 5, but it
made no difference. What exactly does the timeout line do in
boot.ini? Have only XP Home SP2 on notebook.

Thanks.

George

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

The timeout line in my boot.ini file reads "timeout=30". Hoping to get
Windows to boot up faster, I changed the 30 to 5, but it made no
difference. What exactly does the timeout line do in boot.ini? Have only
XP Home SP2 on notebook.

Thanks.

George

The timeout you modified only applies when you have
more than one version of Windows installed on your
machine. With a timeout=30, the boot process pauses
for 30 seconds so that you can chose your operating
system. If your machine does not pause then it ignores
this timeout.

If your notebook takes too long to boot then it is either
too slow or else you load too many things at boot time.
Run msconfig.exe and have a look at the items under
the Startup tab!

 

[George]

Thanks, Pegasus. Appreciate the prompt reply.

George

 

[marc]

The timeout you modified only applies when you have
more than one version of Windows installed on your
machine. With a timeout=30, the boot process pauses
for 30 seconds so that you can chose your operating
system. If your machine does not pause then it ignores
this timeout.

Timeout also appears at boot if you have Recovery Console installed.

Marc

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Timeout also appears at boot if you have Recovery Console installed.

Marc

Indeed - because the Recovery Console is in effect a
second operating system.