Crash+Recovery+Console

Crash Recovery Console

There are many ways of recovering from problems with XP

However sometimes you may think you are on your own but not so

If for example you have changed settings or having Hard‐ware problems to an amount that the worst happened and you cannot even get into Windows XP

Then the way forward is through Recovery Console

This is a simple but powerful tool and because it is so powerful it is something you should not use often if at all.

It is really best left alone unless you are in trouble.

Before using Recovery console you must try everything else e.g. Safe Mode etc.

The Recovery console will help you identify and replace files or drivers that are corrupt.

Be careful though you can do real damage.

The Recovery console is not installed by default therefore find your XP installation CD

Place it in your non‐functional PC and Reboot.

With luck it will automatically load or it may prompt you to boot from the CD If it doesn’t you will have to modify the boot settings in the Bios

See my tip:‐ on Bios settings

If it still fails you will have to approach Microsoft for set‐up floppies to be found at Knowledge Base Q310994

{You can install The Recovery console which only takes up 7MB and be prepared for the worst in advance at any time as follows:‐

Insert you Windows CD

Go Start > Run > type in the box “ __**x :\j386\winnt32.exe/cmdcons**__ “

[ Where “**x**” is the CD drive letter] Without the Quotes. Enter> OK>

The setup program will attempt to carry out a Dynamic update which you can skip.

Restart your PC and you will see during Start‐up procedure you will be given a choice of running

The Recovery console or loading Window XP as normal choose the former and Enter Once you have booted you will be presented with a “ Welcome screen “ and it is here that you press “ R “ to run the recovery console

Next there is a list of Windows installations on your computer and you will be asked to choose which one you want to log onto ( If you do not have a dual boot Just type “ 1 “ > Enter

Do not leave it blank or the computer will restart.

The Recovery console will now ask for the Administrators Password. Not the password for a user with Admin privileges.

If you didn’t use one it will be blank so just Press Enter

Now you will be presented with a page which emulates a DOS Page

Form here there are various commands which you can use to repair your installation.

In order to view a full list type “ help “ and then Enter

I will not attempt to list them on this page, and if you have the misfortune to use The Recovery console you will know why.

If you type any of the functions listed followed by a **“ /? “ (**don’t miss out the forward slash), you will receive a brief description of each function,

A DOS user will recognise several commands

However they should note that you can’t use wildcards i.e. “ * “ etc. and you will not be able to access anything on the hard disk that is not within Windows directory.

Once you have finished repairing your PC type “Exit “ and reboot.