To start the computer and use the Recovery Console
From the Setup CD-ROM
Insert the Setup compact disc (CD) and restart the computer. If prompted, select any options required to boot from the CD.
To exit the Recovery Console
Recovery Console and restart the computer, type exit.
Insert the Setup compact disc (CD) and restart the computer. If prompted, select any options required to boot from the CD.
When the text-based part of Setup begins, follow the prompts; choose the repair or recover option by pressing R. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation that you need to access from the Recovery Console. When prompted, type the Administrator password. At the system prompt, type Recovery Console commands; type help for a list of commands, or help command name for help on a specific command.
To exit the Recovery Console
Recovery Console and restart the computer, type exit.
On many XP installations you can't start the Recovery Console because it won't recognize your password. This registry edit causes the Recovery Console not to ask for a password. This works for both XP Home and XP Professional.
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Setup\RecoveryConsole
Set the DWORD SecurityLevel value to 1
Exit Registry and Reboot
Recovery Console Commands
Commands with descriptions available at the command prompt for use with the Recovery Console.
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. |
