314058 - Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console

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Description of the Windows XP Recovery

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Console
This article applies to…
This article was previously published under Q314058
For a Microsoft Windows 2000 version of this article, see 229716.

SUMMARY
This article describes the functionality and limitations of the Windows Recovery Console. The
Windows Recovery Console is designed to help you recover if your Windows-based computer
does not start properly or does not start at all.

MORE INFORMATION
When you use the Windows Recovery Console, you can obtain limited access to NTFS, FAT,
and FAT32 volumes without starting the Windows graphical user interface. In the Windows
Recovery Console, you can:

● Use, copy, rename, or replace operating system files and folders.

● Enable or disable service or device startup when you next start your computer.
● Repair the file system boot sector or the Master Boot Record (MBR).
● Create and format partitions on drives.

Note that only an administrator can obtain access to the Windows Recovery Console so that
unauthorized users cannot use any NTFS volume.

Starting the Windows Recovery Console

To start the Windows Recovery Console, use any of the following methods:

● Start your computer by using the Windows Setup floppy disks or the Windows CD-ROM.
At the "Welcome to Setup" screen, press F10 or press R to repair, and start the
Windows Recovery Console.
● Add the Windows Recovery Console to the Windows Startup folder by using the
Winnt32.exe utility with the /cmdcons option. This procedure requires approximately 7
megabytes (MB) of hard disk space on the system partition to hold the Cmdcons folder
and files.

IMPORTANT: If you are using software mirroring, refer to the following article in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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229077 Mirroring Prevents Pre-Installing the Recovery Console

● Follow the instructions in the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

222478 Creating a Template to Run Recovery Console Using a Remote Install Server

Using the Command Console

After you start the Windows Recovery Console, you receive the following message:

Microsoft Windows(R) Recovery Console

The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality.

Type EXIT to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.

1: C:\WINDOWS

Which Windows Installation would you like to log onto

(To cancel, press ENTER)?

After you enter the number for the appropriate Windows installation, you are prompted to
enter the Administrator account password. Note that if you use an incorrect password three
times, the Windows Recovery Console quits. Also, if the SAM (Security Accounts Manager)
database is missing or damaged, you cannot use the Windows Recovery Console because you
cannot have proper authentication. After you enter your password and the Windows Recovery
Console starts, type exit to restart the computer.

Under Windows XP Professional, you can have group polices set to enable automatic
administrative logon.

For additional information about how to set Recovery Console to enable automatic
administrative logon, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base:

312149 HOW TO: Enable Administrator to Logon Automatically in Recovery Console

Restrictions and Limitations of the Recovery Console

When you use the Windows Recovery Console, you can use only the following folders:

● The root folder

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● The %SystemRoot% folder and the subfolders of the Windows installation that you are
currently logged on to
● The Cmdcons folder
● Removable media drives such as CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drives

NOTE: If you try to obtain access to other folders, you receive an "Access Denied" error
message. Also, while you are using the Windows Recovery Console, you cannot copy a file
from the local hard disk to a floppy disk. You can copy a file from a floppy disk or from a CD-
ROM to a hard disk, and from one hard disk to another hard disk.

Available Commands

HELP

Use the help command to list all of the following supported commands:

attrib del fixboot more set

batch delete fixmbr mkdir systemroot
bootcfg dir format more type
cd disable help net
chdir diskpart listsvc rd
chkdsk enable logon ren
cls exit map rename
copy expand md rmdir

ATTRIB

Use the attrib command with any of the following parameters to change attributes of a file or
folder:

-R
+R
-S
+S
-H
+H
-C
+C

Notes:

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+ : Sets an attribute
- : Resets an attribute
R : Read-only file attribute
S : System file attribute
H : Hidden file attribute
C : Compressed file attribute

You must set or clear at least one attribute.

To view attributes, use the dir command.

BATCH

batch inputfile [outputfile ]

Use this command to run commands that are specified in a text file. In the command syntax,
inputfile specifies the text file that contains the list of commands to
be run and outputfile specifies the file that contains the output
of the specified commands. If you do not specify an output file, the output is displayed on the
screen.

BOOTCFG

Use this command for boot configuration and recovery. This command has the following
options:

bootcfg /add
bootcfg /rebuild
bootcfg /scan
bootcfg /list
bootcfg /disableredirect
bootcfg /redirect [portbaudrate] | [useBiosSettings]

For example:

bootcfg /redirect com1 115200

bootcfg /redirect useBiosSettings

You can use the following options:

/add : Adds a Windows installation to the boot menu list.

/rebuild : Iterates through all Windows installations so you can specify which installations to

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add.
/scan : Scans all disks for Windows installations and displays the results so you can specify
which installations to add.
/default : Sets the default boot entry.
/list : Lists the entries already in the boot menu list.
/disableredirect : Disables redirection in the boot loader.
/redirect : Enables redirection in the boot loader, with the specified configuration.

CD and CHDIR

Use the cd and chdir commands to change to a different folder. For example:

Type cd .. to change to the parent folder.

Type cd drive: to display the current folder in the specified drive.
Type cd without parameters to display the current drive and folder.

The chdir command treats spaces as delimiters. Because of this, you must put quotation
marks ("") around a folder name that contains a space, for example:

cd "\windows\profiles\username\programs\start menu"

The chdir command works only in the system folders of the current installation of Windows,
in removable media, in the root folder of any hard disk partition, or in the local installation
sources.

CHKDSK

chkdsk drive /p /r

The chkdsk command checks the specified drive and, if necessary, repairs or recovers the
drive. The command also marks bad sectors and recovers readable information.

You can use these options:

/p : Does an exhaustive check of the drive and corrects any errors.

/r : Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information.

Note that if you specify the /r option, the /p option is implied. Specifying the chkdsk
command without arguments checks the current drive, with no options in effect.

Running the chkdsk command requires use of the Autochk.exe file. CHKDSK automatically

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locates this file in the startup folder. If the Command Console was preinstalled, the startup
folder is typically the Cmdcons folder. If CHKDSK cannot find Autochk.exe in the startup folder,
CHKDSK tries to locate the Windows CD-ROM installation media. If it cannot find the
installation media, CHKDSK prompts you for the location of the Autochk.exe file.

CLS

Use this command to clear the screen.

COPY

copy source destination

Use this command to copy a file. In the command syntax, source specifies the
file to copy and destination specifies the folder or file name
for the new file. You cannot use wildcard characters (*), and you cannot copy a folder. If you
copy a compressed file from the Windows CD-ROM, the file is automatically decompressed as
it is copied.

The source of the file can be removable media, any folder in the system folders of the current
Windows installation, the root of any drive, the local installation sources, or the Cmdcons
folder.

If destination is unspecified, the default destination is the

current folder. If the file already exists, you are prompted about whether you want the copy to
overwrite the existing file. The destination cannot be removable media.

DEL and DELETE

del drive : path filename

delete drive : path filename

Use this command to delete a file. In the command syntax, drive :

path filename specifies the file that you want to delete.
The delete command works only in the system folders of the current Windows installation, in
removable media, in the root folder of any hard disk partition, or in the local installation
sources. The delete command does not accept wildcard characters.

DIR

dir drive : path filename

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Use this command to display a list of files and subfolders in a folder. In the command syntax,
drive : path filename specifies the drive,
folder, and files to list. The dir command lists all files, including hidden and system files. Files
can have the following attributes:

D : Directory
H : Hidden file
S : System file
E : Encrypted
R : Read-only file
A : Files ready for archiving
C : Compressed
P : Reparse point

The dir command works only in the system folders of the current Windows installation,in
removable media, in the root folder of any hard disk partition, or in the local installation
sources.

DISABLE

disable servicename

Use this command to disable a Windows system service or driver. In the command syntax,
servicename specifies the name of the service or driver that you
want to disable.

Use the listsvc command to display all services or drivers that are eligible to be disabled. The
disable command prints the old start type of the service before resetting the start type to
SERVICE_DISABLED. Record the old start type in case it is necessary to enable the service
again.

The start_type values that the disable command displays are:

SERVICE_DISABLED
SERVICE_BOOT_START
SERVICE_SYSTEM_START
SERVICE_AUTO_START
SERVICE_DEMAND_START

DISKPART

diskpart /add /delete

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device_name drive_name
partition_name size

Use this command to manage the partitions on your hard disk volumes. You can use the
following options:

/add : Creates a new partition.

/delete : Deletes an existing partition.
device_name : The device name for creating a new partition.
drive_name : A drive-letter-based name, for example D:.
partition_name : The partition-based name for deleting an existing partition.
size : The size of the new partition in megabytes.

You can get the device name from the output of the MAP command, for example, \Device
\HardDisk0. You can use the partition name in place of the drive name argument, for example,
\Device\HardDisk0\Partition1. If you use no arguments, a user interface for managing
your partitions is displayed.

WARNING: Using this command can damage the partition table if the disk has been
upgraded to a dynamic disk configuration. Do not modify the structure of dynamic disks unless
you are using the Disk Management tool.

ENABLE

enable servicename start_type

You can use the enable command (where servicename is the

name of the service or driver to be enabled) to enable a Windows system service or driver.

Use the listsvc command to display all eligible services or drivers to enable. The enable
command prints the old start type of the service before resetting it to the new value. You
should note the old value, in case it is necessary to restore the start type of the service.

Valid options for start_type are:

SERVICE_BOOT_START
SERVICE_SYSTEM_START
SERVICE_AUTO_START
SERVICE_DEMAND_START

Note that if you do not specify a new start type, the enable command prints the old start type
for you.

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EXIT

Use the exit command to quit the Recovery Console and restart your computer.

EXPAND

expand source [/F:filespec] [destination ]

[/y]

expand source [/F:filespec] /D

Use this command to expand a file. In the command syntax, source specifies
the name of the file to be expanded and destination specifies
the folder for the new file. If you do not specify a destination, the command defaults to the
current folder. You cannot include wildcard characters.

You can use the following options:

/y : Do not prompt before overwriting an existing file.

/f:filespec : Identifies the files to be expanded.
/d : Do not expand; display only a directory of the files in the source.

If the source contains more than one file, the /f:filespec parameter is required to identify the
specific files to be expanded. You can include wildcard characters.

The destination can be any folder in the system folders of the current Windows installation, in
the root of the drive, in the local installation sources, or in the Cmdcons folder. The
destination cannot be removable media, and the destination file cannot be read-only. Use the
attrib command to remove the read-only attribute.

Unless you use the /y option, the expand command prompts you if the destination file
already exists.

FIXBOOT

fixboot drive name :

Use this command to write the new Windows boot sector code on the system partition. In the
command syntax, drive name is the drive letter where the boot
sector will be written. This command fixes damage in the Windows boot sector. This command
overrides the default of writing to the system boot partition. FIXBOOT is supported only on
x86-based computers.

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FIXMBR

fixmbr device name

Use this command to repair the master boot record (MBR) of the boot partition. In the
command syntax, device name is an optional device name that
specifies the device that needs a new MBR. Use this command if a virus has damaged the MBR
and Windows cannot start.

WARNING: This command can damage your partition tables if a virus is present or a
hardware problem exists. Using this command can result in inaccessible partitions. Microsoft
recommends that you run antivirus software before you use this command.

You can obtain the device name from the output of the map command. If you do not specify
a device name, the MBR of the boot device is repaired, for example:

fixmbr \device\harddisk2

If FIXMBR detects an invalid or non-standard partition table signature, FIXMBR prompts you
for permission before rewriting the MBR. FIXMBR is supported only on x86-based computers.

FORMAT

format drive : /Q /FS:file-

system

Use this command to format the specified drive to the specified file system. In the command
syntax, /Q performs a quick format of the drive, drive is the drive letter of
the partition to format, and /FS:file-system
specifies the type of file system to use [FAT, FAT32, or NTFS]. If you do not specify a file
system, the existing file system format is used, if it is available.

LISTSVC

The listsvc command lists all available services, drivers, and their start types for the current
Windows installation. This command is useful in conjunction with the disable and enable
commands.

Note that the list is extracted from the %SystemRoot%\System32\Config\System hive. If the
System hive is damaged or missing, results are unpredictable.

LOGON

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logon

The logon command lists all detected installations of Windows, and then requests the local
administrator password for the copy of Windows that you want to log on to. If your first three
attempts to log on do not succeed, the console quits, and your computer restarts.

MAP

map arc

Use this command to list drive letters, file system types, partition sizes, and mappings to
physical devices. In the command syntax, arc parameter tells the map command to
use ARC paths instead of Windows Device paths.

MD and MKDIR

The md and mkdir commands create new folders. Wildcard characters are not supported.
The mkdir command works only in the system folders of the current installation of Windows,
in removable media, in the root folder of any hard disk partition, or in the local installation
sources.

MORE

more filename

Use this command to display a text file to the screen.

NET

Although the Help file states otherwise, the NET command is not usable from the Recovery
Console. The protocols stack is not loaded for the Recovery Console, so there is no networking
function available.

RD and RMDIR

Use rd and rmdir commands to delete a folder. These commands work only in the system
folders of the current Windows installation, in removable media, in the root folder of any hard
disk partition, or in the local installation sources.

REN and RENAME

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Use the ren and rename commands to rename a file. Note that you cannot specify a new
drive or path for the renamed file. These commands work only in the system folders of the
current Windows installation, in removable media, in the root folder of any hard disk partition,
or in the local installation sources.

SET

The set command allows you to display or modify four environment options.

AllowWildCards = FALSE AllowAllPaths = FALSE AllowRemovableMedia = FALSE

NoCopyPrompt = FALSE

For additional information about how to use the SET command, click the article number below
to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

235364 The Purpose of the SET Command in the Recovery Console

SYSTEMROOT

The systemroot command sets the current working folder to the %SystemRoot% folder of
the Windows installation you are currently logged on to.

TYPE

type filename

Use the type command to display a text file.

The information in this article applies to:

● Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

● Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Last Reviewed: 8/6/2002 (1.0)

Keywords: kbinfo KB314058

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