Command Prompt in DOS?

[Bud Z]

I have WinXP Sp2 and I want to use dos command's and switch's at a command
prompt in dos not in windows.
How do I go about getting a command prompt only before windows boots?

Thanks,

Bud Z

 

[Squire]

Suggestion,

Go to the Windows command prompt, type CD\ to put you in the root directory.

Almost all of the original Dos commands will still work there.

Almost all of the original commands were absorbed into the Windows\system32
directory and are available to use.

The only way to get directly into Dos is to boot with a Win98 disk, but you
cannot access C: drive.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Windows XP is not based on the old MS-DOS platform,
therefore there is no MS-DOS shell to boot into.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­----------------

:

| I have WinXP Sp2 and I want to use dos command's and switch's at a command
| prompt in dos not in windows.
| How do I go about getting a command prompt only before windows boots?
|
| Thanks,
|
| Bud Z

 

[Wesley Vogel]

You cannot get into MS-DOS with XP.

You can, however, start in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

[[To start your computer at a command prompt
1. Print these instructions before continuing. They will not be available
after you shut your computer down in step 2.
2. Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list, click
Shut down.
3. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK.
4. When you see the message Please select the operating system to start,
press F8.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Command Prompt, and then
press ENTER.
6. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Notes
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will
function.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Bud Z]

The problem with this is a windows command prompt will not recognize
utilities like fdisk.
I'll try using them in the "safe mode with the command prompt".
What I'm trying to use is the fdisk /mbr switch.

Thanks,

Bud Z

 

[Bud Z]

Doing it this way does not recognize the command fdisk /mbr c:

Thanks,

Bud Z

You cannot get into MS-DOS with XP.

You can, however, start in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

[[To start your computer at a command prompt
1. Print these instructions before continuing. They will not be available
after you shut your computer down in step 2.
2. Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list, click
Shut down.
3. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK.
4. When you see the message Please select the operating system to start,
press F8.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Command Prompt, and
then
press ENTER.
6. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the
installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Notes
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will
function.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I have WinXP Sp2 and I want to use dos command's and switch's at a
command prompt in dos not in windows.
How do I go about getting a command prompt only before windows boots?

Thanks,

Bud Z

 

[Squire]

Bud, you will have to boot with a Win98 boot disk.
You can use Fdisk when it finishes booting.
Be aware that you can damage the MBR and your computer will have to be
cleaned and XP reinstalled.

 

[WTC]

Bud,

I think you are going the wrong way, what are you trying to accomplish.

To fix a Master Boot Record for XP you would use the command "fixmbr" in the
recovery console.

Read the following on how to start the Recovery Console from the XP CD and
the available commands.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314058

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Doing it this way does not recognize the command fdisk /mbr c:

Thanks,

Bud Z

You cannot get into MS-DOS with XP.

You can, however, start in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

[[To start your computer at a command prompt
1. Print these instructions before continuing. They will not be
available
after you shut your computer down in step 2.
2. Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list, click
Shut down.
3. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click
OK.
4. When you see the message Please select the operating system to start,
press F8.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Command Prompt, and
then
press ENTER.
6. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the
installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Notes
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will
function.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I have WinXP Sp2 and I want to use dos command's and switch's at a
command prompt in dos not in windows.
How do I go about getting a command prompt only before windows boots?

Thanks,

Bud Z

 

[Bud Z]

The problem is I did not install the recovery console when I installed XP
and I now have Sp2 so from my understanding, I would have to re-install XP,
install the recovery console then re-install Sp1 and 2 to be able to fix the
Master Boot Record.
Am I right?

Thanks,

Bud Z

Bud,

I think you are going the wrong way, what are you trying to accomplish.

To fix a Master Boot Record for XP you would use the command "fixmbr" in
the recovery console.

Read the following on how to start the Recovery Console from the XP CD and
the available commands.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314058

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Doing it this way does not recognize the command fdisk /mbr c:

Thanks,

Bud Z

You cannot get into MS-DOS with XP.

You can, however, start in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

[[To start your computer at a command prompt
1. Print these instructions before continuing. They will not be
available
after you shut your computer down in step 2.
2. Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list, click
Shut down.
3. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click
OK.
4. When you see the message Please select the operating system to
start,
press F8.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Command Prompt, and
then
press ENTER.
6. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the
installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Notes
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will
function.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Bud Z <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
I have WinXP Sp2 and I want to use dos command's and switch's at a
command prompt in dos not in windows.
How do I go about getting a command prompt only before windows boots?

Thanks,

Bud Z

 

[WTC]

Do you have a Windows XP CD? You can boot off the Windows XP CD to enter the
Recovery Console.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314058

You can also download the Floppy images for the Win XP Setup which will give
you access to the Recovery Console.

How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310994

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

The problem is I did not install the recovery console when I installed XP
and I now have Sp2 so from my understanding, I would have to re-install
XP, install the recovery console then re-install Sp1 and 2 to be able to
fix the Master Boot Record.
Am I right?

Thanks,

Bud Z

Bud,

I think you are going the wrong way, what are you trying to accomplish.

To fix a Master Boot Record for XP you would use the command "fixmbr" in
the recovery console.

Read the following on how to start the Recovery Console from the XP CD
and the available commands.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314058

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Doing it this way does not recognize the command fdisk /mbr c:

Thanks,

Bud Z

You cannot get into MS-DOS with XP.

You can, however, start in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

[[To start your computer at a command prompt
1. Print these instructions before continuing. They will not be
available
after you shut your computer down in step 2.
2. Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list,
click
Shut down.
3. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click
OK.
4. When you see the message Please select the operating system to
start,
press F8.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Command Prompt, and
then
press ENTER.
6. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the
installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Notes
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will
function.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Bud Z <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
I have WinXP Sp2 and I want to use dos command's and switch's at a
command prompt in dos not in windows.
How do I go about getting a command prompt only before windows boots?

Thanks,

Bud Z

 

[Bud Z]

Yes I have the cd but when I use it to boot and use the F10 at windows setup
it asks me for administrator password.
This is a home pc, I never set it up to use administrator so what do I type
in here?

Again Thanks,

Bud Z

Do you have a Windows XP CD? You can boot off the Windows XP CD to enter
the Recovery Console.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314058

You can also download the Floppy images for the Win XP Setup which will
give you access to the Recovery Console.

How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310994

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

The problem is I did not install the recovery console when I installed XP
and I now have Sp2 so from my understanding, I would have to re-install
XP, install the recovery console then re-install Sp1 and 2 to be able to
fix the Master Boot Record.
Am I right?

Thanks,

Bud Z

Bud,

I think you are going the wrong way, what are you trying to accomplish.

To fix a Master Boot Record for XP you would use the command "fixmbr" in
the recovery console.

Read the following on how to start the Recovery Console from the XP CD
and the available commands.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314058

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Doing it this way does not recognize the command fdisk /mbr c:

Thanks,

Bud Z

You cannot get into MS-DOS with XP.

You can, however, start in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

[[To start your computer at a command prompt
1. Print these instructions before continuing. They will not be
available
after you shut your computer down in step 2.
2. Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list,
click
Shut down.
3. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click
OK.
4. When you see the message Please select the operating system to
start,
press F8.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Command Prompt, and
then
press ENTER.
6. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the
installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Notes
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will
function.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Bud Z <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
I have WinXP Sp2 and I want to use dos command's and switch's at a
command prompt in dos not in windows.
How do I go about getting a command prompt only before windows boots?

Thanks,

Bud Z

 

[WTC]

Where are you getting F10 from?

When you boot of the Windows XP CD the first screen you seen that would need
user input is:

http://www.lprf.ca/files/enter_rc.jpg

Then you would press 'r' to enter the Recovery Console.

Have you tried just hitting the ENTER button. Usually XP Home has no
password set for the built-in Administrator account unless someone has
changed the password.

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Yes I have the cd but when I use it to boot and use the F10 at windows
setup it asks me for administrator password.
This is a home pc, I never set it up to use administrator so what do I
type in here?

Again Thanks,

Bud Z

Do you have a Windows XP CD? You can boot off the Windows XP CD to enter
the Recovery Console.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314058

You can also download the Floppy images for the Win XP Setup which will
give you access to the Recovery Console.

How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310994

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

The problem is I did not install the recovery console when I installed
XP and I now have Sp2 so from my understanding, I would have to
re-install XP, install the recovery console then re-install Sp1 and 2 to
be able to fix the Master Boot Record.
Am I right?

Thanks,

Bud Z
Bud,

I think you are going the wrong way, what are you trying to accomplish.

To fix a Master Boot Record for XP you would use the command "fixmbr"
in the recovery console.

Read the following on how to start the Recovery Console from the XP CD
and the available commands.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314058

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Doing it this way does not recognize the command fdisk /mbr c:

Thanks,

Bud Z

You cannot get into MS-DOS with XP.

You can, however, start in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

[[To start your computer at a command prompt
1. Print these instructions before continuing. They will not be
available
after you shut your computer down in step 2.
2. Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list,
click
Shut down.
3. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then
click OK.
4. When you see the message Please select the operating system to
start,
press F8.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Command Prompt,
and then
press ENTER.
6. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the
installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Notes
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will
function.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Bud Z <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
I have WinXP Sp2 and I want to use dos command's and switch's at a
command prompt in dos not in windows.
How do I go about getting a command prompt only before windows
boots?

Thanks,

Bud Z

 

[Bud Z]

I got the F10 command from the following:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314058
under "starting the windows recovery console"
I'll try the r command key.

Bud Z

Where are you getting F10 from?

When you boot of the Windows XP CD the first screen you seen that would
need user input is:

http://www.lprf.ca/files/enter_rc.jpg

Then you would press 'r' to enter the Recovery Console.

Have you tried just hitting the ENTER button. Usually XP Home has no
password set for the built-in Administrator account unless someone has
changed the password.

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Yes I have the cd but when I use it to boot and use the F10 at windows
setup it asks me for administrator password.
This is a home pc, I never set it up to use administrator so what do I
type in here?

Again Thanks,

Bud Z

Do you have a Windows XP CD? You can boot off the Windows XP CD to enter
the Recovery Console.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314058

You can also download the Floppy images for the Win XP Setup which will
give you access to the Recovery Console.

How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310994

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

The problem is I did not install the recovery console when I installed
XP and I now have Sp2 so from my understanding, I would have to
re-install XP, install the recovery console then re-install Sp1 and 2
to be able to fix the Master Boot Record.
Am I right?

Thanks,

Bud Z
Bud,

I think you are going the wrong way, what are you trying to
accomplish.

To fix a Master Boot Record for XP you would use the command "fixmbr"
in the recovery console.

Read the following on how to start the Recovery Console from the XP CD
and the available commands.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314058

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Doing it this way does not recognize the command fdisk /mbr c:

Thanks,

Bud Z

You cannot get into MS-DOS with XP.

You can, however, start in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

[[To start your computer at a command prompt
1. Print these instructions before continuing. They will not be
available
after you shut your computer down in step 2.
2. Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list,
click
Shut down.
3. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then
click OK.
4. When you see the message Please select the operating system to
start,
press F8.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Command Prompt,
and then
press ENTER.
6. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the
installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Notes
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad
will
function.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Bud Z <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
I have WinXP Sp2 and I want to use dos command's and switch's at a
command prompt in dos not in windows.
How do I go about getting a command prompt only before windows
boots?

Thanks,

Bud Z

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

I got the F10 command from the following:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314058
under "starting the windows recovery console"
I'll try the r command key.

Bud Z

Recovery console info.
#21 on the FAQ list.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#21
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

Where are you getting F10 from?

When you boot of the Windows XP CD the first screen you seen that
would need user input is:

http://www.lprf.ca/files/enter_rc.jpg

Then you would press 'r' to enter the Recovery Console.

Have you tried just hitting the ENTER button. Usually XP Home has no
password set for the built-in Administrator account unless someone
has changed the password.

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Yes I have the cd but when I use it to boot and use the F10 at
windows setup it asks me for administrator password.
This is a home pc, I never set it up to use administrator so what
do I type in here?

Again Thanks,

Bud Z
Do you have a Windows XP CD? You can boot off the Windows XP CD to
enter the Recovery Console.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314058

You can also download the Floppy images for the Win XP Setup which
will give you access to the Recovery Console.

How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310994

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

The problem is I did not install the recovery console when I
installed XP and I now have Sp2 so from my understanding, I would
have to re-install XP, install the recovery console then
re-install Sp1 and 2 to be able to fix the Master Boot Record.
Am I right?

Thanks,

Bud Z
Bud,

I think you are going the wrong way, what are you trying to
accomplish.

To fix a Master Boot Record for XP you would use the command
"fixmbr" in the recovery console.

Read the following on how to start the Recovery Console from the
XP CD and the available commands.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314058

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Doing it this way does not recognize the command fdisk /mbr c:

Thanks,

Bud Z

You cannot get into MS-DOS with XP.

You can, however, start in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

[[To start your computer at a command prompt
1. Print these instructions before continuing. They will not
be available
after you shut your computer down in step 2.
2. Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down
list, click
Shut down.
3. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and
then click OK.
4. When you see the message Please select the operating
system to start,
press F8.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Command
Prompt, and then
press ENTER.
6. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the
installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press
ENTER. Notes
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric
keypad will
function.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Bud Z <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
I have WinXP Sp2 and I want to use dos command's and
switch's at a command prompt in dos not in windows.
How do I go about getting a command prompt only before windows
boots?

Thanks,

Bud Z

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Making Good Newsgroup Posts
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

MAKE A GOOD NEWSGROUP POST
http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/post.html

Newsgroups - Unanswered Questions
http://www.michna.com/kb/Newsgroups.htm

How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=555375

Note: KB555375 is for Microsoft Windows XP Professional not Microsoft
Windows XP Home. ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Doing it this way does not recognize the command fdisk /mbr c:

Thanks,

Bud Z

You cannot get into MS-DOS with XP.

You can, however, start in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

[[To start your computer at a command prompt
1. Print these instructions before continuing. They will not be
available after you shut your computer down in step 2.
2. Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list, click
Shut down.
3. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click
OK.
4. When you see the message Please select the operating system to start,
press F8.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Command Prompt, and
then
press ENTER.
6. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the
installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Notes
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will
function.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I have WinXP Sp2 and I want to use dos command's and switch's at a
command prompt in dos not in windows.
How do I go about getting a command prompt only before windows boots?

Thanks,

Bud Z

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have WinXP Sp2 and I want to use dos command's and switch's at a command
prompt in dos not in windows.
How do I go about getting a command prompt only before windows boots?

Thanks,

Bud Z

Not to put too fine a point on it, you don't.

There is no way to reboot a WinXP PC into Real Mode DOS unless
you've set up a dual-boot system. The WinNT family of 32-bit graphical
operating systems, of which WinXP is the latest generation, has never
used, included, or "ridden upon" MS-DOS. The Recovery Console's CLI
(Command Line Interface) is the closest you can come to the old "DOS
mode." What, precisely, are you trying to accomplish?



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of
chains and slavery? .... I know not what course others may take, but as
for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry

 

[Bruce Chambers]

The problem with this is a windows command prompt will not recognize
utilities like fdisk.
I'll try using them in the "safe mode with the command prompt".
What I'm trying to use is the fdisk /mbr switch.

FDisk is an old MS-DOS utility that is neither available or needed in
WinXP; it would serve no purpose.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of
chains and slavery? .... I know not what course others may take, but as
for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry

 

[Guest]

William,

Now I'm really in a pickle!!
I went to western digitals hd site and downloaded the utility file for this
drive. To make a long story short, I inserted the first floppy and rebooted
the machine and it booted to windows.
I then proceeded to maka a WinXP boot disk using the Ntidr, Ntdetect.com and
the boot.ini files.
It booted fine with this floppy but just to be sure I could use the recovery
console I booted from the Xp cd and followed your instructions as to the " r
" command and let it do it's thing.
Now my problem is it won't boot from any of the above options, it just keeps
rebooting with a flash dialog box that says "not enough virtual memory"
I'm thinking when I used the " r " , repair switch it over wrote my previous
sys file from Sp2.
I can't even boot in the safe mode to restore to an earlier date, it keeps
rebooting even there.
Is there another way I can restore my sys files to a previous date?

Thanks Much,

Bud Z

Where are you getting F10 from?

When you boot of the Windows XP CD the first screen you seen that would need
user input is:

http://www.lprf.ca/files/enter_rc.jpg

Then you would press 'r' to enter the Recovery Console.

Have you tried just hitting the ENTER button. Usually XP Home has no
password set for the built-in Administrator account unless someone has
changed the password.

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Yes I have the cd but when I use it to boot and use the F10 at windows
setup it asks me for administrator password.
This is a home pc, I never set it up to use administrator so what do I
type in here?

Again Thanks,

Bud Z

Do you have a Windows XP CD? You can boot off the Windows XP CD to enter
the Recovery Console.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314058

You can also download the Floppy images for the Win XP Setup which will
give you access to the Recovery Console.

How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310994

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

The problem is I did not install the recovery console when I installed
XP and I now have Sp2 so from my understanding, I would have to
re-install XP, install the recovery console then re-install Sp1 and 2 to
be able to fix the Master Boot Record.
Am I right?

Thanks,

Bud Z
Bud,

I think you are going the wrong way, what are you trying to accomplish.

To fix a Master Boot Record for XP you would use the command "fixmbr"
in the recovery console.

Read the following on how to start the Recovery Console from the XP CD
and the available commands.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314058

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Doing it this way does not recognize the command fdisk /mbr c:

Thanks,

Bud Z

You cannot get into MS-DOS with XP.

You can, however, start in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

[[To start your computer at a command prompt
1. Print these instructions before continuing. They will not be
available
after you shut your computer down in step 2.
2. Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list,
click
Shut down.
3. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then
click OK.
4. When you see the message Please select the operating system to
start,
press F8.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Command Prompt,
and then
press ENTER.
6. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the
installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Notes
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will
function.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Bud Z <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
I have WinXP Sp2 and I want to use dos command's and switch's at a
command prompt in dos not in windows.
How do I go about getting a command prompt only before windows
boots?

Thanks,

Bud Z

 

[q_q_anonymous]

I have WinXP Sp2 and I want to use dos command's and switch's at a command
prompt in dos not in windows.
How do I go about getting a command prompt only before windows boots?

Thanks,

Bud Z

use a win98 boot disk.

By the way. Win XP has its own way of doign fdisk/mbr. Load the win xp
recovery console.

there are a few commands like fixboot, fixmbr bootcfg, something like
that.

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

William,

Now I'm really in a pickle!!
I went to western digitals hd site and downloaded the utility file
for this drive. To make a long story short, I inserted the first
floppy and rebooted the machine and it booted to windows.
I then proceeded to maka a WinXP boot disk using the Ntidr,
Ntdetect.com and the boot.ini files.
It booted fine with this floppy but just to be sure I could use the
recovery console I booted from the Xp cd and followed your
instructions as to the " r " command and let it do it's thing.
Now my problem is it won't boot from any of the above options, it
just keeps rebooting with a flash dialog box that says "not enough
virtual memory"
I'm thinking when I used the " r " , repair switch it over wrote my
previous sys file from Sp2.
I can't even boot in the safe mode to restore to an earlier date, it
keeps rebooting even there.
Is there another way I can restore my sys files to a previous date?

Thanks Much,

Bud Z

See the link in my post.
Recovery console info.
#21 on the FAQ list.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#021
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

Where are you getting F10 from?

When you boot of the Windows XP CD the first screen you seen that
would need user input is:

http://www.lprf.ca/files/enter_rc.jpg

Then you would press 'r' to enter the Recovery Console.

Have you tried just hitting the ENTER button. Usually XP Home has no
password set for the built-in Administrator account unless someone
has changed the password.

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Yes I have the cd but when I use it to boot and use the F10 at
windows setup it asks me for administrator password.
This is a home pc, I never set it up to use administrator so what
do I type in here?

Again Thanks,

Bud Z
Do you have a Windows XP CD? You can boot off the Windows XP CD to
enter the Recovery Console.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314058

You can also download the Floppy images for the Win XP Setup which
will give you access to the Recovery Console.

How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310994

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

The problem is I did not install the recovery console when I
installed XP and I now have Sp2 so from my understanding, I would
have to re-install XP, install the recovery console then
re-install Sp1 and 2 to be able to fix the Master Boot Record.
Am I right?

Thanks,

Bud Z
Bud,

I think you are going the wrong way, what are you trying to
accomplish.

To fix a Master Boot Record for XP you would use the command
"fixmbr" in the recovery console.

Read the following on how to start the Recovery Console from the
XP CD and the available commands.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314058

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Doing it this way does not recognize the command fdisk /mbr c:

Thanks,

Bud Z

You cannot get into MS-DOS with XP.

You can, however, start in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

[[To start your computer at a command prompt
1. Print these instructions before continuing. They will not
be available
after you shut your computer down in step 2.
2. Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down
list, click
Shut down.
3. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and
then click OK.
4. When you see the message Please select the operating
system to start,
press F8.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Command
Prompt, and then
press ENTER.
6. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the
installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press
ENTER. Notes
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric
keypad will function.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In Bud Z <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
I have WinXP Sp2 and I want to use dos command's and
switch's at a command prompt in dos not in windows.
How do I go about getting a command prompt only before windows
boots?

Thanks,

Bud Z