Windows Millennium Edition, combined with "fast boot"-optimised PC hardware, like the Dell Dimension PC, will provide users with an operating system boot of 30 seconds or less.
Many home users today use their PC to perform quick tasks, such as looking up the latest news and weather. For these home users, Microsoft is working with its partners to improve boot time with Windows ME on new PCs.
Microsoft has also made several improvements in Windows ME to enable faster-booting PCs, including registry improvements, removal of real mode and faster device initialisation. In addition, the company has provided a boot-time-measurement tool for computer manufacturers to help enable a true "fast boot" PC - with a boot time of 30 seconds or less. This tool will help computer manufacturers identify which drivers and devices provide optimal boot-time performance on any given PC configuration.
"We have been asked by our customers to improve the start-up time of their Windows-based PCs. Consumers increasingly expect that it will perform in the same way as their other home appliances," says John Frederiksen, GM, Platforms Group at Microsoft.
"Our customers expect great performance and utility from their Dell PCs," says Michael Massetti, worldwide software marketing director at Dell. "With Windows ME, combined with Dell`s optimised hardware support for the `fast boot` capability, users can quickly gain access to their computer for a richer Internet and customer experience."
A "fast boot" machine is one that starts up in 30 seconds or less. Dell will introduce a "fast boot" Dimension PC by the end of this year, when Windows Millennium Edition is scheduled to be available.
More information about Fast Boot technology is available at http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/newpc/fast-boot.htm.
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