How to Run System Restore From a Recovery Console

Windows Recovery Console is useful for running system restores.

If you start your personal computer and are unable to load the Windows XP operating system, you may have to run a system restore using the operating system's software. There are a few ways to perform this function; running the system restore from a recovery console is one of the most advanced methods. To use the Windows Recovery Console to restore XP, you need to be logged in as an administrator or part of the administrator team.

Instructions

1. Start up the computer.

2. Choose "Recovery Console" from the startup options menu.

3. Enter the Administrator password when requested.

4. Type "cd\cd system~1" (Do not include the quotation marks.)

5. Type "cd _resto~1", then type "dir."

6. Identify the newest restore folder listed. For example, if RP1, RP2 and RP3 are listed, RP3 is the most recent restore folder while RP1 is the oldest. Type "cd RP3," replacing "RP3" with whatever the most recent folder is named.

7. Type "cd snapshot"; if the program asks if you want to overwrite, type "y."

8. Type "copy _registry_machine_system c:\windows\system32\config\system
   copy _registry_machine_software c:\windows\system32\config\software
   copy _registry_machine_security c:\windows\system32\config\security
   copy _registry_machine_sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
   copy _registry_user_.default c:\windows\system32\config\default."

9. Type "exit" to reboot the computer. Restart the computer as you would normally.

References

• Microsoft Support: How to start the System Restore tool by using the safe mode option with the Command prompt in Windows XP
• Microsoft Support: Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console for advanced users
• Microsoft Support: How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting