1. A booting method for a microcomputer involving executing a test program, loading an operating system to establish an operating environment, and utilizing at least one startup file to tailor that environment, the method comprising the following steps: (a) storing in a non-volatile store, for each of a plurality of tasks to be executed, a startup file identifier identifying at least one startup file to be used for that task; (b) storing in a non-volatile store, accessible through a bus of the microcomputer, respective programmed times associated with said plurality of tasks to be executed; (c) detecting the coincidence between the time indicated by a permanently powered clock and a said programmed time, and storing for the associated task an indication that it is now a pending task, and (d) as a consequence of detecting said coincidence in step (c), powering on the microcomputer, running said test program, loading said operating system and tailoring the operating environment established thereby utilizing said at least one startup file associated with the task, which task, according to said indication, is a pending task.