I'm trying to learn when to use the various tools within windows xp for boot
or HD issue.

Assume I've done a reboot, booting into safe mode/reboot and updates are
current, with no new apps or hardware have still not resolved a generic boot
issue.

In what order should i use the following tools and what would be a typical
symtom to indicate the tool vs another tool?

1. Last known good config.

2. Last Restore point? Does i386 need to be local.

3. System File Checker (SFC)? Does i386 need to be local.

4. Check Disk.

5. fixboot cli only.

6. fixmbr cli only