/var/log/dmesg is the file which contains kernel initializaion messages. By typing dmesg command in the shell prompt we can see
io.sys (Kernel File) msdos.sys (Kernel File) config.sys (Kernel File) command.com (Shell File)
There might be some properties file
The kernel image is the file in /boot that has a name like "vmlinuz" in it.
kernel module
IO.SYS (Kernel File)MSDOS.SYS (Kernel File)COMMAND.COM (Shell File)I believe the answer you are looking for is "Registry".
The Linux boot process can be divided into six steps which are as follows: # Kernel loader loading, setup, and execution: In this step, the bootsect.s file is loaded into the memory by the BIOS. When the bootsect.s file sets up, it loads the rest of the kernel into the memory. # Parameter setup and switch to 32-bit mode: When the kernel has been loaded, the boot.s file sets up a temporary IDT and GDT and handles the switch to 32-bit mode. # Kernel decompression: The head.s file decompresses the kernel. # Kernel setup: After the kernel is decompressed, the real GDT and IDT are created by the head.s (second file). # Kernel and memory initialization (main.c): In this step, the kernel sets up all memory constraints and virtual memory is completely set up. # Init process creation (main.c): In the final step of booting, the init process is created, which switches a Linux computer to different run levels. Ref: http://www.ucertify.com/article/what-are-the-various-steps-of-the-linux-boot-process.html
Because all files contained in it are generated by the kernel at mount time. It contains no permanent files; all changes are lost on system reboot.
The answer that you are looking for is on page 271 of the Operating Systems Book; MS-DOS is command driven.
NTLDR
BIOS file
NTLDR
ntoskrnl.exe