The final step before initializing the protected-mode Configuration Manager is to load static VxDs. For compatibility reasons, the real-mode loader will first load devices specified in SYSTEM.INI. This is the first phase of configuration management in which automated device enumeration takes place, and access to the registry is available, but there is still no automated resource assignment.
Based on the type of bus hardware detected by the real-mode Configuration Manager driver, the system loads the appropriate enumerator VxD. For example, the ISA enumerator will be loaded during this phase if an ISA bus exists on the system. If the machine has a Plug and Play BIOS, the BIOS enumerator loads. In all cases, the root enumerator loads during this phase.