Installing Recovery Console

For everyone out there without an XP CD to use as a recovery console, here is the solution.

If your Windows directory has an i386 folder you're in luck.

To install the recovery console from Windows:

Start>Run>%windir%\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons

To install the recovery console from an XP CD to your hard drive:

Start>Run>X\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons

were X is your CD drive letter



Recovery Console Commands:

Command-------------------Command Description
Attrib------------------------Change file and directory attributes.
Batch------------------------Execute specified text file (batch) commands.
Bootcfg---------------------Configure boot file (boot.ini) settings.
ChDir (Cd)-----------------Change/display the current directory.
Chkdsk---------------------Check a disk for errors. Report capability.
Cls--------------------------Clear the screen.
Copy------------------------Copy a file. Change file location or name.
Delete (Del)----------------Delete files.
Dir---------------------------Display a list of subdirectories and files.
Disable----------------------Disable a device driver or system service.
Diskpart---------------------Manage disk partitions.
Enable-----------------------Enable device driver or system service.
Exit--------------------------Exit Recovery Console and reboot.
Expand----------------------Extract files from a compressed file format.
Fixboot----------------------Write a new boot sector to a selected partition.
Fixmbr-----------------------Repair the Master Boot Record (MBR).
Format-----------------------Format a disk partition.
Help--------------------------Display a list of Recovery Console commands.
Listsvc------------------------Display available drivers and system services.
Logon-------------------------Log off and on to another Windows installation.
Map---------------------------Display drive letter mapping.
Mkdir (Md)--------------------Create a directory.
More---------------------------Display (scroll) a text file.
Net Use-----------------------Connect drive letter to a network share.
Rename (Ren)----------------Rename files.
Rmdir (Rd)--------------------Delete directory.
Set-----------------------------Display/set environment variables.
Systemroot-------------------Switch from current directory to system root directory.
Type---------------------------Display a text file.

If you cant remember all these then at least remember chkdsk /r


If by any chance you can't use the recovery console because it asks you for a password and you do not know it use this registry modification:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Setup\RecoveryConsole
set "SecurityLevel" to 1

Exit and reboot.



-OCM770-

Edited by -OCM770-, 30 November 2006 - 11:28 AM.