If you have WinXP Install CD, then you sure have the recovery console on it.
You can use recovery console for basic troubleshooting steps. You can
install RecCon to the harddisk so that you dont have to insert the CD. Here
is how to do it and use it:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307654

--
> Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

For any query, search > www.Google.com
Want to know about a term > http://en.wikipedia.org


"Pendraig" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:88C7E28F-F153-4607-8D29-(E-Mail Removed)...
: Creating an EBD used to be a snap with Win 9x ... not so anymore in the
brave
: new world of Windows XP <sigh>.
:
: My system is *NOT* equipped with a floppy drive, but does have a combo
: CD\DVD drive. I just haven't got a clue as to the following:
:
: 1. What files are necessary to achieve a basic XP boot
: 2. What files should be included to enable emergency maintenance
: 3. How exactly do I transfer said files to a CD-R disk
: 4. How do I make this CD-R disk bootable
:
: How about it? Any clues for an old programmer\analyst who's fallen behind
: the curve?
:
: Thanks!
: --
: Pendraig
: Esse quam videri

Creating an EBD used to be a snap with Win 9x ... not so anymore in the brave
new world of Windows XP <sigh>.

My system is *NOT* equipped with a floppy drive, but does have a combo
CD\DVD drive. I just haven't got a clue as to the following:

1. What files are necessary to achieve a basic XP boot
2. What files should be included to enable emergency maintenance
3. How exactly do I transfer said files to a CD-R disk
4. How do I make this CD-R disk bootable

How about it? Any clues for an old programmer\analyst who's fallen behind
the curve?

Thanks!
--
Pendraig
Esse quam videri

"Pendraig" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:88C7E28F-F153-4607-8D29-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Creating an EBD used to be a snap with Win 9x ... not so anymore in the
> brave
> new world of Windows XP <sigh>.
>
> My system is *NOT* equipped with a floppy drive, but does have a combo
> CD\DVD drive. I just haven't got a clue as to the following:
>
> 1. What files are necessary to achieve a basic XP boot
> 2. What files should be included to enable emergency maintenance
> 3. How exactly do I transfer said files to a CD-R disk
> 4. How do I make this CD-R disk bootable
>
> How about it? Any clues for an old programmer\analyst who's fallen behind
> the curve?
>
> Thanks!
> --
> Pendraig
> Esse quam videri

The closest thing that you will get to a boot CD for XP is to use Ultimate
Boot CD for Windows. It creates a Windows XP live boot CD that you can use
to gain access to your system in the event that you major problems with it
and can not boot into it. It contains lots of freeware plugins that allow
you to perform a variety of tasks.

Ultimate Boot CD for Windows: http://www.ubcd4win.com/

All you have to do is download it, read their instructions in the "How to
Build" section, build your CD and burn it to a blank CD or DVD. All you will
need for this is the ubcd4win software and your Windows XP installation
disk.

To specifically answer your questions:
1. This software will automatically include all necessary files to be able
to boot the disk.
2. It contains a lot of freeware plugins that are suited to perform
emergency maintenence - look under the "List of Tools" section.
3. You can make a CD image file with this software that contains all
necessary files to burn to a CD with a burning program like Nero or
DeepBurner, you just have to choose the option to burn the disk from an ISO
file.
4. This program will automatically make the disk bootable. All you have to
do is build the CD, and then burn it to a disk.

-Dan

I am surprised to see the tools listed there that are with UBCD. But too bad
that i dont have a fast connection to download that 133mb file.

And if the OP doesn't have a fast Connection like me, he can download EBCD
[ Emergenct Boot CD] .
How to make :
http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=41485

Home page :
http://ebcd.pcministry.com/


--
> Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

For any query, search > www.Google.com
Want to know about a term > http://en.wikipedia.org


"LittleMoo" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
: "Pendraig" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
: news:88C7E28F-F153-4607-8D29-(E-Mail Removed)...
: > Creating an EBD used to be a snap with Win 9x ... not so anymore in the
: > brave
: > new world of Windows XP <sigh>.
: >
: > My system is *NOT* equipped with a floppy drive, but does have a combo
: > CD\DVD drive. I just haven't got a clue as to the following:
: >
: > 1. What files are necessary to achieve a basic XP boot
: > 2. What files should be included to enable emergency maintenance
: > 3. How exactly do I transfer said files to a CD-R disk
: > 4. How do I make this CD-R disk bootable
: >
: > How about it? Any clues for an old programmer\analyst who's fallen
behind
: > the curve?
: >
: > Thanks!
: > --
: > Pendraig
: > Esse quam videri
:
: The closest thing that you will get to a boot CD for XP is to use Ultimate
: Boot CD for Windows. It creates a Windows XP live boot CD that you can use
: to gain access to your system in the event that you major problems with it
: and can not boot into it. It contains lots of freeware plugins that allow
: you to perform a variety of tasks.
:
: Ultimate Boot CD for Windows: http://www.ubcd4win.com/
:
: All you have to do is download it, read their instructions in the "How to
: Build" section, build your CD and burn it to a blank CD or DVD. All you
will
: need for this is the ubcd4win software and your Windows XP installation
: disk.
:
: To specifically answer your questions:
: 1. This software will automatically include all necessary files to be able
: to boot the disk.
: 2. It contains a lot of freeware plugins that are suited to perform
: emergency maintenence - look under the "List of Tools" section.
: 3. You can make a CD image file with this software that contains all
: necessary files to burn to a CD with a burning program like Nero or
: DeepBurner, you just have to choose the option to burn the disk from an
ISO
: file.
: 4. This program will automatically make the disk bootable. All you have to
: do is build the CD, and then burn it to a disk.
:
: -Dan
:
:

Pendraig wrote:
> Creating an EBD used to be a snap with Win 9x ... not so anymore in the brave
> new world of Windows XP <sigh>.
>
> My system is *NOT* equipped with a floppy drive, but does have a combo
> CD\DVD drive. I just haven't got a clue as to the following:
>
> 1. What files are necessary to achieve a basic XP boot
> 2. What files should be included to enable emergency maintenance
> 3. How exactly do I transfer said files to a CD-R disk
> 4. How do I make this CD-R disk bootable
>
> How about it? Any clues for an old programmer\analyst who's fallen behind
> the curve?
>
> Thanks!



There's normally no need for an ERD (Emergency Rescue Disk) with
WinXP. The WinXP installation CD is bootable, and provides access to
the Recovery Console.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/directo...;en-us;Q314058


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

"Ayush" <ayushmaan.j[aatt]gmail.com> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I am surprised to see the tools listed there that are with UBCD. But too
>bad
> that i dont have a fast connection to download that 133mb file.
>
> And if the OP doesn't have a fast Connection like me, he can download EBCD
> [ Emergenct Boot CD] .
> How to make :
> http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=41485
>
> Home page :
> http://ebcd.pcministry.com/
>
>
> --
>> Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
>
> For any query, search > www.Google.com
> Want to know about a term > http://en.wikipedia.org

That seems like a very handy tool to use in a pinch. And a Linux boot CD can
be very handy in an emergency situation. Though it seems like it might be a
little hard for someone that doesn't know much about computers to grasp,
especially people that don't know anything other than Windows 95 and up
(some people just can't go without their GUI's).

If it is too hard for other people to grasp there is always BartPE (UBCD is
based off of this), which is only a 3.15M download and allows you to create
a very basic XP boot CD without adding any plugins.

BartPE: http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/plugins/

Just FYI.

-Dan

"Bruce Chambers" wrote:

> Pendraig wrote:
> > Creating an EBD used to be a snap with Win 9x ... not so anymore in the brave
> > new world of Windows XP <sigh>.
> >
> > My system is *NOT* equipped with a floppy drive, but does have a combo
> > CD\DVD drive. I just haven't got a clue as to the following:
> >
> > 1. What files are necessary to achieve a basic XP boot
> > 2. What files should be included to enable emergency maintenance
> > 3. How exactly do I transfer said files to a CD-R disk
> > 4. How do I make this CD-R disk bootable
> >
> > How about it? Any clues for an old programmer\analyst who's fallen behind
> > the curve?
> >
> > Thanks!
>
>
>
> There's normally no need for an ERD (Emergency Rescue Disk) with
> WinXP. The WinXP installation CD is bootable, and provides access to
> the Recovery Console.
>
> Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
> http://support.microsoft.com/directo...;en-us;Q314058
>
>
> --
>
> Bruce Chambers
>
> Help us help you:
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Unfortunately, my installation of Windows is OEM; consequently I don't have
a Windows XP install CD. Have this nasty OEM Recovery CD (thank you Dell ...
NOT!) You're telling me there's NO practical way to create\burn a Windows XP
Home Emergency Recovery CD?

Please, say it ain't so!
I'd rather NOT lobotomize my system Ordinarily I'd
--
Pendraig
Esse quam videri

Pendraig;

Dan's Rx works fine under limited circumstances.

What it can't do is get you into the "Recovery Console"; your OEM
install might not have one. It also won't get you into the "Directory"
either because there is often a "ddo" installed that, unless you can
find a way to hack it, won't let you in. These characteristics often
baffle the heck out of many seasoned Windows NT users who know the
CD-ROM versions forwards and backward.

Depending on you OEM version, it might also be impossible to access/fix
a corrupt boot.ini file independent of doing a Sys Recovery or Restore.
You would have to try accessing it to see.

Your Dell "Restore DVD" will usually fix minor file corruptions. It will
reset your basic settings [1] and leave you files intact.

Pressing “R” opens “System Restore Options”. There are 3 options:
1. Non-Destructive […] recovers factory shipped applications drivers and
the OS without affecting any data […]
2. Destructive […] reinstalls everything.
3. Advanced …essentially clears HD and reinstalls XP from scratch.

So; Dell and MS essentially contracted to produce some OEM distros for
maximum stability/minimum flexibility (tamperability). In their defence,
the likelihood of a good many distributors who pre-install XP on their
boxes behaving irresponsibly, or even going out of business, and putting
extra strain on MS Technical Resource Personnel justifies the lower
'per' cost of the "cast-iron" distros to the distributor and the
customer. This platform also means the hoi poli are less likely to mess
up things and again put the blame and strain on MS.

Most OEM mnfrs also make a "Complete Restore" DVD for about $20 US;
which, when you realize that essentially amounts to a re-issue of the XP
CD-ROM, isn't all that unreasonable.

The real problem is that there isn't a lot of comprehensive info on the
net that explains the practical differences between the OEMs that have
been coming out for the last 2-3 years, those that were common before
then, and the CD-ROM versions.

And after all, the same basic rule applies: back-up important files
regularly.

Happy trails,

rooster
boundary bay, bc


Pendraig wrote:

>
> Unfortunately, my installation of Windows is OEM; consequently I don't have
> a Windows XP install CD. Have this nasty OEM Recovery CD (thank you Dell ...
> NOT!) You're telling me there's NO practical way to create\burn a Windows XP
> Home Emergency Recovery CD?
>
> Please, say it ain't so!
> I'd rather NOT lobotomize my system Ordinarily I'd

Pendraig;

Dan's Rx works fine under limited circumstances.

What it can't do is get you into the "Recovery Console"; your OEM
install might not have one. It also won't get you into the "Directory"
either because there is often a "ddo" installed that, unless you can
find a way to hack it, won't let you in. These characteristics often
baffle the heck out of many seasoned Windows NT users who know the
CD-ROM versions forwards and backward.

Depending on you OEM version, it might also be impossible to access/fix
a corrupt boot.ini file independent of doing a Sys Recovery or Restore.
You would have to try accessing it to see.

Your Dell "Restore DVD" will usually fix minor file corruptions. It will
reset your basic settings [1] and leave you files intact.

Pressing “R” opens “System Restore Options”. There are 3 options:
1. Non-Destructive […] recovers factory shipped applications drivers and
the OS without affecting any data […]
2. Destructive […] reinstalls everything.
3. Advanced …essentially clears HD and reinstalls XP from scratch.

So; Dell and MS essentially contracted to produce some OEM distros for
maximum stability/minimum flexibility (tamperability). In their defence,
the likelihood of a good many distributors who pre-install XP on their
boxes behaving irresponsibly, or even going out of business, and putting
extra strain on MS Technical Resource Personnel justifies the lower
'per' cost of the "cast-iron" distros to the distributor and the
customer. This platform also means the hoi poli are less likely to mess
up things and again put the blame and strain on MS.

Most OEM mnfrs also make a "Complete Restore" DVD for about $20 US;
which, when you realize that essentially amounts to a re-issue of the XP
CD-ROM, isn't all that unreasonable.

The real problem is that there isn't a lot of comprehensive info on the
net that explains the practical differences between the OEMs that have
been coming out for the last 2-3 years, those that were common before
then, and the CD-ROM versions.

And after all, the same basic rule applies: back-up important files
regularly.

Happy trails,

rooster
boundary bay, bc


Pendraig wrote:

>
> Unfortunately, my installation of Windows is OEM; consequently I
don't have a Windows XP install CD. Have this nasty OEM Recovery CD
(thank you Dell ... NOT!) You're telling me there's NO practical way to
create\burn a Windows XP Home Emergency Recovery CD?
> Please, say it ain't so!
> I'd rather NOT lobotomize my system Ordinarily I'd