How to boot computer to command prompt??

[Alan.Aylett]

Hello all,

I have a very silly problem that I am in need of a solution to.

I have used the ms config tool to boot my PC in safe mode so as to do
some trouble shooting. On restarting i find that my monitor (a TFT)
will not display anything in safe mode and I obviously can not change
it back to normal boot without being able to see the windows
environment. I do not have access to a CRT monitor, nor a boot disk.

Is there a combination of keys I can hit at startup that will boot the
computer to the command prompt. From here I think i can find the
Boot.ini file and remover the /safeboot switch.

Many thnks in advance for any help/advice.

Alan

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

When you reboot, the BIOS screen appears, then a black screen. Press F8
repeatedly then to access the menu to choose 'safe mode with command
prompt'. 'Edit boot.ini' to remove the "... /SAFEBOOT argument from the
appropriate line in [operating systems]

--
Was this helpful? Then click the "Yes" Ratings button. Voting helps the web
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Mark L. Ferguson

..

 

[Gordon]

Was this helpful? Then click the "Yes" Ratings button. Voting helps the
web
interface.
http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales/help/help_en-us.htm#RateAPost

As the majority of regulars here use a news reader, and the awful web
interface already HAS a "rate this post" option, why put it in your (RFC
non-compliant - 4 lines only) sig?

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

I include the link to explain the comment in my sig to those who don't
understand what the web interface is, and what ratings are. (otherwise it
generates more traffic)
The peer ratings system is the biggest improvement in support since the MVP
program. Anyone who doesn't understand the value of it can elect not to use
it. Protesting it pretty silly.

 

[Gordon]

I include the link to explain the comment in my sig to those who don't
understand what the web interface is, and what ratings are. (otherwise it
generates more traffic)
The peer ratings system is the biggest improvement in support since the
MVP program. Anyone who doesn't understand the value of it can elect not
to use it. Protesting it pretty silly.

I repeat - the majority of people who post here use a news reader so the
"rating" of posts is impossible.....

 

[philo]

Hello all,

I have a very silly problem that I am in need of a solution to.

I have used the ms config tool to boot my PC in safe mode so as to do
some trouble shooting. On restarting i find that my monitor (a TFT)
will not display anything in safe mode and I obviously can not change
it back to normal boot without being able to see the windows
environment. I do not have access to a CRT monitor, nor a boot disk.

Is there a combination of keys I can hit at startup that will boot the
computer to the command prompt. From here I think i can find the
Boot.ini file and remover the /safeboot switch.

Many thnks in advance for any help/advice.

Alan

You need to boot from your XP cd and go to the recovery console.
That's the best way to get to XP's command prompt (assuming your drive is
NTFS)


You can access and NTFS partition from dos with a third party utility

http://www.freewarefiles.com/ntfsdos-readwrite-ntfs-from-dos_program_11100.html

I have not used it, so cannot vouch for it. I recommend the recovery console


Also: If you have access to another XP machine
with the HD configured the same way...there is one other easy option
(When I said configured the same way, that means that XP is installed on the
first partition of the drive on the first IE channel)


Just format a floppy and copy over ntdetect.com , ntldr & boot.ini


that floppy is all you need to boot XP right up to the GUI