Recovery Console installed?

[Guest]

How can one tell if you have the Recovery Console installed? My original
Windows XP Home setup disc was XP SP1, which would not allow me to install
the Recovery Console (RC). I created a slipstreamed SP2 disc, and , by
pointing to it. appeared to go thru the RC install process OK, and got the
message that it was installed. On a subsequent startup, the menu asking
whether one wanted to use the RC or restart Windows came up, and I was able
to look at the opening RC screen. However, on all subsequent restarts, this
menu does not come up, and the usual Windows startup occurs. I tried the
reinstall a second time, and again was told that it had been successfully
installed, but the choice menu has never come up again.

I'm baffled as to how to proceed with a successful new RC install or to get
the one I supposedly already have to work. Thanks for any help!

 

[frodo]

your boot.ini should have two entries now, one for XP, one for Recovery
Console. To check this do:

my computer | properties | advanced tab | startup and recovery button.

check the drop down list, both lines shd be there

make sure the "time to display" is set so you get a chance to actually see
the choices menu at boot time. most likely it's set to 0 or 1 and just
flashed by.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for this info source! But the drop down list shows only
"Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition"/fastdetect/NoExecute=OptIn
and Time to display list is set at 30 sec, Time to display recovery options
at 45 seconds, which seem adequate. - Since this apparently says that the RC
isn't installed, what can I do to get it installed? - w/thanks!

 

[David Webb]

Verify that you are logged on with Administrative privileges and then review
this article for installation and usage details:

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

| Thanks for this info source! But the drop down list shows only
| "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition"/fastdetect/NoExecute=OptIn
| and Time to display list is set at 30 sec, Time to display recovery options
| at 45 seconds, which seem adequate. - Since this apparently says that the RC
| isn't installed, what can I do to get it installed? - w/thanks!
|
|
| "(e-mail address removed)" wrote:
|
| > your boot.ini should have two entries now, one for XP, one for Recovery
| > Console. To check this do:
| >
| > my computer | properties | advanced tab | startup and recovery button.
| >
| > check the drop down list, both lines shd be there
| >
| > make sure the "time to display" is set so you get a chance to actually see
| > the choices menu at boot time. most likely it's set to 0 or 1 and just
| > flashed by.
| >
| >

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your response. - Yes, I am/was logged on with Administrative
privileges. I re-read the article at the link supplied. Using the SP1 OEM
Dell installation disc, I can indeed get to & I assume use the Recovery
Console. However I want to do some work that requires the RC to be already
installed, and this I cannot do with the OEM disk. Attempting to run the RC
installation command (d:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons) simply provokes the
message: "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your
computer is newer than the version on the CD..." - (Given this error message,
I also don't know whether or not it would even be safe to run the RC on my
machine when I do get to it.)

 

[frodo]

<snip>
installation command (d:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons) simply provokes the
message: "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your
computer is newer than the version on the CD..." - (Given this error
<snip>

True, if you have SP2 installed then you need a CD w/ SP2 to install the
RC; you'll need to make one by Slipstreaming SP2 into your original CD;
google for slipstream instructions, it's not hard, but not for novices
either. Best bet may be to find someone who already has a SP2 CD you can
use, it won't ask about a serial number or anything.

BTW, the RC really isn't all that useful (IMHO), but I _DO_ normally
install it on all machine I build, just in case. To be honest it's never
saved my butt yet (knock on wood!). the FIXMBR command is probably the
most useful thing. To get the max utility out of RC you _ALSO_ need to
set a few registry values that "unlock" (or "de-cripple") its behavior, so
that it can access all directories of the HD; without these tweaks it can
only access a few dirs (a security measure). google for these reg tweaks,
but ONLY do them if the machine is located in a secure place where a
passer-by can't get at it.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Frodo. I did have a slipstreamed disc, and that's how I was able to
seemingly install the RC. That is, the completion message said it installed
OK, and I even got it to present the choice of using it at normal bootup, but
not since (which provoked my question). Unfortunately I don't now have that
disc on hand. - The reason I want to have the RC installed, rather than just
call it up from my original OEM setup disc, is because of a project that
would make RC more useful, but which requires that it already be installed. -
Alas, I need my butt saved all too often, which drives my interest in
"rescues". Backups, imaging, an external hard disk, and liberal use of CD
storage sometimes do the trick, but all have all failed me at one time or
another.

 

[David Webb]

Comment in line:

| Thanks for your response. - Yes, I am/was logged on with Administrative
| privileges. I re-read the article at the link supplied. Using the SP1 OEM
| Dell installation disc, I can indeed get to & I assume use the Recovery
| Console. However I want to do some work that requires the RC to be already
| installed, and this I cannot do with the OEM disk. Attempting to run the RC
| installation command (d:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons) simply provokes the
| message: "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your
| computer is newer than the version on the CD..."

Why don't you try using the slipstreamed SP2 CD to install the RC?

| - (Given this error message,
| I also don't know whether or not it would even be safe to run the RC on my
| machine when I do get to it.)
|
|
| ("David Webb" wrote:
|
| > Verify that you are logged on with Administrative privileges and then review
| > this article for installation and usage details:
| >
| > Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
| > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058
| >
| > | > | Thanks for this info source! But the drop down list shows only
| > | "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition"/fastdetect/NoExecute=OptIn
| > | and Time to display list is set at 30 sec, Time to display recovery
options
| > | at 45 seconds, which seem adequate. - Since this apparently says that the
RC
| > | isn't installed, what can I do to get it installed? - w/thanks!
| > |
| > |
| > | "(e-mail address removed)" wrote:
| > |
| > | > your boot.ini should have two entries now, one for XP, one for Recovery
| > | > Console. To check this do:
| > | >
| > | > my computer | properties | advanced tab | startup and recovery button.
| > | >
| > | > check the drop down list, both lines shd be there
| > | >
| > | > make sure the "time to display" is set so you get a chance to actually
see
| > | > the choices menu at boot time. most likely it's set to 0 or 1 and just
| > | > flashed by.
| > | >
| > | >
| >
| >
| >

 

[David Webb]

Here's more ammo for you, as long as you're heading in that direction.

You may want to look into the BartPE boot disc or a variation of it called the
UBCD4WIN CD. Both of these discs will boot a working version of Windows XP from
the CD itself. You can then access the drive(s) of the main system. Each disc
comes with worthwhile utilities for repairing NT systems.

The BartPE boot disc is an excellent tool, but it's not for the faint-of-heart
in that it takes a lot of time to find/create/add and test the additional
plug-ins you may want or need.

I recommend the UBCD4WIN CD instead. This is a BartPE CD on steroids. It
utilizes the Bart compiler (PEBuilder) to generate the ISO image and then burns
the image to a CD and it has most of the freeware utilities and drivers you'll
need already established for you. Naturally, some updates are required for the
AV utilities.

See this link for more info and to download all requirements, including the
BartPE builder software. It's all free:

http://www.ubcd4win.com/

Note: One BartPE plug-in was left out of the UBCD4WIN list. It's called
"bootfix". That's a good one to add back before compiling. Read the htm file in
the BartPE plug-in folder for more details.

Good luck!

| Thanks, Frodo. I did have a slipstreamed disc, and that's how I was able to
| seemingly install the RC. That is, the completion message said it installed
| OK, and I even got it to present the choice of using it at normal bootup, but
| not since (which provoked my question). Unfortunately I don't now have that
| disc on hand. - The reason I want to have the RC installed, rather than just
| call it up from my original OEM setup disc, is because of a project that
| would make RC more useful, but which requires that it already be installed. -
| Alas, I need my butt saved all too often, which drives my interest in
| "rescues". Backups, imaging, an external hard disk, and liberal use of CD
| storage sometimes do the trick, but all have all failed me at one time or
| another.
|
|
| > > <snip>
| > > installation command (d:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons) simply provokes the
| > > message: "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your
| > > computer is newer than the version on the CD..." - (Given this error
| > > <snip>
| >
| > True, if you have SP2 installed then you need a CD w/ SP2 to install the
| > RC; you'll need to make one by Slipstreaming SP2 into your original CD;
| > google for slipstream instructions, it's not hard, but not for novices
| > either. Best bet may be to find someone who already has a SP2 CD you can
| > use, it won't ask about a serial number or anything.
| >
| > BTW, the RC really isn't all that useful (IMHO), but I _DO_ normally
| > install it on all machine I build, just in case. To be honest it's never
| > saved my butt yet (knock on wood!). the FIXMBR command is probably the
| > most useful thing. To get the max utility out of RC you _ALSO_ need to
| > set a few registry values that "unlock" (or "de-cripple") its behavior, so
| > that it can access all directories of the HD; without these tweaks it can
| > only access a few dirs (a security measure). google for these reg tweaks,
| > but ONLY do them if the machine is located in a secure place where a
| > passer-by can't get at it.
| >
| >

 

[Guest]

Thanks, David. I don't have the slipstreamed CDat present.. But when I did
have it, it appeared to install the RC perfectly fine, and the proper bootup
menu appeared the first time I rebooted. However, I did not get the bootup
menu on a later restart, and used the slipstreamed disc to install RC again,
apparently successfully again.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, David. Http://www.ubcd4win.com/ does seem like a good bet.
Unfortunately, on 5 different tries to download from the original and 4
mirror sites, it either didn't download at all (1X) or reported "Error in
C:\my downloads|UBCD4WINV30.exe archive directory" when I attempted to
extract it to my C:\ubcd4win folder. - I had earlier attempted to use BartPE
downloaded from its BartPe site, but apparently don't understand all its
subtleties. I can make a boot disk with it, but so far haven't been able to
create a bootable XPSP2 slipstreamed disc using it.

 

[Steve N.]

Thanks, David. I don't have the slipstreamed CDat present.. But when I did
have it, it appeared to install the RC perfectly fine, and the proper bootup
menu appeared the first time I rebooted. However, I did not get the bootup
menu on a later restart, and used the slipstreamed disc to install RC again,
apparently successfully again.

Justine,

Using notepad open up boot.ini and add this line to it under [operating
systems] section:

C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

See if that works.

Also check the timeout value in boot.ini, the timeout may be too short
to give you the option, some monitors don't sync up fast enough.

Steve N.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Steve!! - Have had so many dilemmas since starting on this project
that I wasn't sure which one you were referring to -But I tried out your
suggestion , and it does indeed appear to work to install the Recovery
Console, with the expected bootup menu choice presented on successive
reboots and the Recovery Console screen presented on demand. Stupid
question: Can I also assume that if there is occasion to use it, it will
deal with SP2?

:
....

Using notepad open up boot.ini and add this line to it under [operating
systems] section:

C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

See if that works.

Also check the timeout value in boot.ini, the timeout may be too short
to give you the option, some monitors don't sync up fast enough.

Steve N.

:

 

[Steve N.]

Thanks, Steve!! - Have had so many dilemmas since starting on this project
that I wasn't sure which one you were referring to -But I tried out your
suggestion , and it does indeed appear to work to install the Recovery
Console, with the expected bootup menu choice presented on successive
reboots and the Recovery Console screen presented on demand.

You are very welcome Justine. I'm glad it worked for you. What puzzles
me is why the installation of RC did not modify boot.ini correctly.

Stupid
question: Can I also assume that if there is occasion to use it, it will
deal with SP2?

Yes. I don't believe the RC was changed much if at all with SP2. For
example I have used the RC booting an SP1 CD on a SP2 system with no
issues. The installed RC should behave no differently after installing SP2.

Steve N.

:
...

Using notepad open up boot.ini and add this line to it under [operating
systems] section:

C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

See if that works.

Also check the timeout value in boot.ini, the timeout may be too short
to give you the option, some monitors don't sync up fast enough.

Steve N.

:



Comment in line:

| Thanks for your response. - Yes, I am/was logged on with Administrative
| privileges. I re-read the article at the link supplied. Using the SP1 OEM
| Dell installation disc, I can indeed get to & I assume use the Recovery
| Console. However I want to do some work that requires the RC to be already
| installed, and this I cannot do with the OEM disk. Attempting to run the RC
| installation command (d:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons) simply provokes the
| message: "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your
| computer is newer than the version on the CD..."

Why don't you try using the slipstreamed SP2 CD to install the RC?

| - (Given this error message,
| I also don't know whether or not it would even be safe to run the RC on my
| machine when I do get to it.)
|
|
| ("David Webb" wrote:
|
| > Verify that you are logged on with Administrative privileges and then review
| > this article for installation and usage details:
| >
| > Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
| > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058
| >
| > | > | Thanks for this info source! But the drop down list shows only
| > | "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition"/fastdetect/NoExecute=OptIn
| > | and Time to display list is set at 30 sec, Time to display recovery
options
| > | at 45 seconds, which seem adequate. - Since this apparently says that the
RC
| > | isn't installed, what can I do to get it installed? - w/thanks!
| > |
| > |
| > | "(e-mail address removed)" wrote:
| > |
| > | > your boot.ini should have two entries now, one for XP, one for Recovery
| > | > Console. To check this do:
| > | >
| > | > my computer | properties | advanced tab | startup and recovery button.
| > | >
| > | > check the drop down list, both lines shd be there
| > | >
| > | > make sure the "time to display" is set so you get a chance to actually
see
| > | > the choices menu at boot time. most likely it's set to 0 or 1 and just
| > | > flashed by.
| > | >
| > | >
| >
| >
| >