A system for initially loading an operating system into a computer. The system provides a startup sequencer with a user interface that queries each startup script to obtain a description of what function the script will perform when it is executed. The user interface then presents a list of the descriptions on the screen. As each script is executed, the return status is placed on the screen alongside the description. The system presents a shutdown list and status when the operating system is being shut down. Each script supplies a description when it is executed with a parameter requesting the description, thus providing flexibility in the information displayed. For operating systems that have multiple run levels, a separate file directory of scripts to be run for each run level is provided, wherein the directory contains the scripts to be executed in taking the operating system to the new level.