Hack 90 Give Your XP Installation Access to the Recovery Console

Add this essential recovery tool to your boot menu to save time saving your system.

If you cannot boot your Windows XP installation, the Recovery Console is an important tool for regaining access and restoring bootability. (Chapter 5 has several hacks that discuss the Recovery Console.) You can install the Recovery Console, which is essentially a command-line utility for restoring Master Boot Records and replacing lost boot files, so that it appears as an option on your XP boot menu.

Typically, system administrators and savvy users run the Recovery Console from the Windows XP installation CD and select Recovery Console as one of the boot options. Adding it to the current installation and Start menu is invaluable, especially if you cannot locate your XP CD in a crisis. To install the Recovery Console, follow these steps:

With your Windows XP installation CD in a CD-ROM drive, click Start and then Run.
Type d:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons, where d is the drive letter for the CD-ROM drive containing the XP CD.
A Setup Dialog Box will appear. Click Yes to continue the installation.
When the installation has finished, restart the computer. "Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" will appear on your boot menu.

For help using the Recovery Console, simply type help at the Recovery Console command prompt. This will give you a list of commands and instructions.

< Day Day Up >