How to Use Recovery Console
Recovery Console is a way to repair and retrieve files on your Windows XP system when none of the other standard methods of start up will work. Though using Recovery Console can be a bit complicated and is typically reserved for network and machine administrators, sometimes it's the only way to reconfigure your computer to run. You'll need to have a Windows XP Setup disk and know the basic rules and commands that govern Recovery Console in order to use it.
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Instructions
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Ensure that you have administrative privileges on the machine your are trying to repair. Once you have booted the computer using the start up disk you'll be asked to log in to your chosen installation using the administrative password.
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Locate your Windows XP CD-ROM. If you're unable to locate it, you'll need to create a copy of a Windows XP Setup disk by downloading it from Microsoft's website (see Resources below).
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Insert the Windows Setup disk in the CD-ROM drive and reboot the computer. Hold down the key configuration or select the option that allow you to boot from the drive--you should be prompted to to do so--and select "R" for Recovery Console.
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Choose an installation to repair if you run a dual-boot system (such as Linux and Windows) and enter the password for that installation.
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Work with the default environmental rules in Recovery Console or type "set" to change them. By default the rules are as follows:AllowAllPaths = FALSE: this means you cannot access directories that belong to a different installation than the one on which you are workingAllowRemovableMedia = FALSE: you will not be able to use removable media for copied filesAllowWildCards = FALSE: "delete" and "copy" cannot be used with string characters to work with multiple files via one commandNoCopyPrompt = FALSE: Recovery Console will always prompt you before allowing you to overwrite files
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Repair your computer's system using Recovery Console's vast list of commands, a list of which can be found on the Microsoft support site (see Resources below). You can also view a list of commands by typing "recovery console commands" on the command line and hitting "Enter." View information about a specific command by typing its name on the command line.
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Use some of the most common commands to begin fixing problems. Knowing, for instance, that the BOOTCFG command allows you to configure boot and recovery options is extremely helpful. Likewise, knowing the ATTRIB command allows you to change file parameters and CD and CHDIR helps you to change between folders is a good start to diagnosing problems.
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Exit Recovery Console once you have fixed the problem. Simply type "exit" on the command line.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider printing a copy of the command list to have handy in case you need to use Recovery Console. It's likely you won't have access to the Internet as you are repairing the machine and continually asking for a list of commands via the command prompt can make repair a time-consuming affair.
