The Windows Recovery Console is available in Windows XP. It offers you command-line access to your computer. Many commands are available to fix start problems. Use Recovery Console to perform many tasks without starting Windows XP. You can start and stop services, read from a local disc drive, write new boot records, and format drives.
Use Recovery Console if you must repair your computer by copying a file from a disk, CD, or DVD to your hard drive, or if you must modify a service that prevents your computer from starting properly.
You cannot copy information from your hard drive to another disk using Recovery Console. You cannot connect to any network. Recovery Console allows access to the following folders:
§ The root folder, which is typically C:\
§ The system root folder for the installation of Windows XP you are logged into. This is typically C:\WINNT and its subfolders.
§ The Cmdcons folder.
§ Removable media drives, such as CD, DVD, or USB drives.
If you did not install Recovery Console when you installed Windows XP, it is located on the Windows XP installation CD. To use Recovery Console, you must log in as an Administrator.
To use the Windows Recovery Console:
1 If you did not install Recovery Console when you installed Windows XP, place the Windows XP installation CD in the CD drive.
2 When the screen reads Welcome to Setup, press F10, or press R to repair and then C to start Recovery Console.
3 Select the Windows installation to log into. Press 1 to edit the primary installation.
4 Enter the Windows XP Administrator password.
If you do not know the password, you cannot use Recovery Console.
5 When Recovery Console starts, type help to see the available commands.
6 When you are finished, to quit Recovery Console and restart your computer, type exit.
For more information about Recovery Console, search the Microsoft support website, available at http://support.microsoft.com/
For the best results, search for Recovery Console XP or Recovery Console commands.
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