Repair XP Installation Using Recovery Console
June 24th, 2008 | 
Author: If you are using Windows XP, you might be aware of the option “Repair Windows XP Using Recovery Console” at the setup of your Windows XP installation.
This is one of the most undertilised options that is being used by users when there is a crash in the Windows XP operating system.
I recently encountered this issue with my clients laptop as his laptop keeps on restarting.
When that happen, the only idea i will get is the boot up file (Boot.ini) is corrupted.
Normally the easiest way out is to use the “Automatic Repair” function, but in this case that option is unavailable on my client’s laptop.
Another way out is to “F” (which means format) the hard drive of the laptop but think about the valuable data you are going to erase 
.
Hence, I’m giving my shot using the “old-school” command prompt style which is the Recovery Console”.
Press R on your keyboard to enter the Recovery Console.
Basically on the Recovery Console is only command prompt, nothing else.
To begin Windows will provide you the necessary information for you to begin your repair.
Here are he steps for you to take note when performing this process:-
1) After the first question, type 1 and press enter.
Type the administrator password (if available) and hit enter.
2) Type CD .. (note there must be a space between CD and .. )
This will bring you to the main “C” directory.
3) Type the following attributes.
- C:\>ATTRIB -H C:\\BOOT.INI
- C:\>ATTRIB -R C:\\BOOT.INI
- C:\>ATTRIB -S C:\\BOOT.INI
4) Type DEL BOOT.INI
5) After that type BOOTCFG /Rebuild
This process may take some time to complete,
Once that is done, just type CHKDSK /R /F .
This procees again will take some time as it will check the disk status. Do note it can take up to 30 minutes or more on slower machines.
Once the check disk process is complete, complete the whole process by typing FIXBOOT and click enter.
You will be given a prompt that reads “Sure you want to write a new bootsector to the partition C: ?”
Simply type Y for yes. Once done, type exit to restart your PC. You will now be able to boot normally on your Windows XP.
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Posted in Notebook Operating System, Notebook Tip | 
Tags: laptop, notebook, recovery console, repair boot files, repair windows, Windows XP
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Thank You For Your Tip.
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It’s a fine solution
Hi. What if bootcfg cannot detect the windows installation on the hard drive? This is exactly what is happening to my machine - I can start recovery console successfully ( which means that the windows installation is detected!) but then bootcfg cannot detect it. I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions - thank you.
After 5th option C:>BOOTCFG /Rebuild. It ask Please wait, Since this may take a while……..
Error: failled to successfully scan disks for windows installation. This error may be caused by a corrupt file syste, which would prevent Bootcfg from successfully scanning. use chkdsk tio detect any disk errors.
Tarun….. you might a fatal error in the BOOTCFG system files where windows is unable to rebuild the boot files.
There might be a possibility with a hardware issue ( bad sectors on hard disk) when this happen.
As stated above you need to perform chkdsk (which means check disk) in order for the rebuild to be perform smoothly.
what if you don’t know the administrator password. how can you skip and go ahead with the recovery console.
thank you.
Unfortunately Ernest, you need to know the administrator password.
I’ve tried on a machine where I can’t get through this process since the user had forgotten the admin password.
The only thing to settle this issue is by doing the “F” -thing which is formatting.
But before that, backup all of your data into a portable hard disk using Knoppix Linux or Ubuntu Live (2 of the most reliable linux “Live” CDs) .
Many new pcs also come with a vista recovery cd. I guess more or less the same aplies?
Definitely a good solution.. But as mentioned, one must know the administrator password. I’m afraid this solution isn’t completely “newbie-proof” but that’s all right — it’s pretty detailed and those who have some experience with computers should be able to follow this easy guide!
THANK YOU!!
We saw something like this in our corner of Michigan recently.
Can’t wait all these XP systems to start needing upgrades.
Thanks for the post.
Good article. This is definitley for a moderate user, however very doable for everyone if they understand the instructions (which are pretty good). The recovery console can be kind of confusing and dangerous if the wrong button is pressed!
If you ever have any questions ask us at:
Computer Repair Omaha Nebraska or
Computer Repair Lincoln Nebraska
well u talked abt backing data using ubuntu nd linux… y its so?
I never have tried a recovery console before. I am going to have to try it out the next time my xp computer crashes and it is giving me problems. Thanks for the tips and the great tutorial.
Really nice way out! But without knowing administrator password it would be not easy to apply.
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Perfect, this solved my issue on the job! I can’t wait to browse more