Exploring Windows XP Boot Options and Recovery Console

George VordenbaumGeorge VordenbaumSystems Content DeveloperSystems Content DeveloperGlobal Support Automation Global Support Automation Microsoft CorporationMicrosoft Corporation

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IntroductionIntroduction

This presentation will discuss the This presentation will discuss the Windows® XP Advanced Options menu Windows® XP Advanced Options menu available during startup, as well as the available during startup, as well as the Recovery Console utility and its associated Recovery Console utility and its associated commands.commands.

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Available Boot OptionsAvailable Boot Options

Safe ModeSafe Mode Safe Mode with NetworkingSafe Mode with Networking Safe Mode with Command PromptSafe Mode with Command Prompt Enable Boot LoggingEnable Boot Logging Enable VGA ModeEnable VGA Mode Last Known Good Configuration Last Known Good Configuration

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Available Boot OptionsAvailable Boot Options (2) (2)

Directory Services Directory Services Restore Mode Restore Mode

Debugging ModeDebugging Mode Start Windows Start Windows

NormallyNormally RebootReboot Return to OS Return to OS

Choices MenuChoices Menu

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Starting Boot OptionsStarting Boot Options

Use Microsoft Configuration Utility Use Microsoft Configuration Utility (msconfig) (msconfig)

Press F8 during the boot processPress F8 during the boot process System crashSystem crash Edit Boot.iniEdit Boot.ini

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What Is Safe Mode?What Is Safe Mode?

Minimal startup mode for troubleshootingMinimal startup mode for troubleshooting Provides alternative when computer Provides alternative when computer

cannot start normallycannot start normally Three optionsThree options Entering earlier versionsEntering earlier versions

There is no support for serial (COM) There is no support for serial (COM) ports and IEEE 1394 in safe modeports and IEEE 1394 in safe mode

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Safe ModeSafe Mode

Minimal list of driversMinimal list of drivers Standard VGAStandard VGA Core operating system servicesCore operating system services No startup programsNo startup programs

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Safe Mode with NetworkingSafe Mode with Networking

Safe mode with networkingSafe mode with networking Provides stable environment to test networking Provides stable environment to test networking

issuesissues

Isolates test from:Isolates test from: Third-party programsThird-party programs Third-party servicesThird-party services

Ping, IPConfig, Network DiagnosticsPing, IPConfig, Network Diagnostics

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Safe Mode with Command PromptSafe Mode with Command Prompt

Alternate shellAlternate shell Cmd.exeCmd.exe 32-bit environment32-bit environment

This is the same configuration as safe mode, with the explorer shell replaced by Cmd.exe

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Enable Boot LoggingEnable Boot Logging

Ntbtlog.txt Ntbtlog.txt This file is appendedThis file is appended Normal bootNormal boot

Adds a list of all the drivers and services that are loaded to the boot log

The boot log can be useful to determine problems with drivers or services

Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, and Safe Mode with Command Prompt

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Enable VGA ModeEnable VGA Mode

Video resolution is not optimized Video driver prevents normal boot Refresh rate Basic video driver for safe mode

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Last Known Good ConfigurationLast Known Good Configuration

Registry and driversRegistry and drivers Use only in cases of incorrect configurationUse only in cases of incorrect configuration Last successful log onLast successful log on

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\Select

Registry key:

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Recovery ConsoleRecovery Console

Commands

Getting Started

Recovery Console

Purpose

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Why Use Recovery Console?Why Use Recovery Console?

Windows XP will not bootWindows XP will not boot Cannot access safe modeCannot access safe mode Access NTFS, FAT, and FAT32 partitionsAccess NTFS, FAT, and FAT32 partitions

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Starting Recovery ConsoleStarting Recovery Console

Boot floppies Boot floppies CD-ROMCD-ROM Boot menuBoot menu

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From Boot FloppiesFrom Boot Floppies

CD-ROM requiredCD-ROM required Web onlyWeb only Six floppy disksSix floppy disks Version specificVersion specific Q310994Q310994, "Obtaining Windows XP Setup , "Obtaining Windows XP Setup

Boot Disks"Boot Disks"

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From CD-ROMFrom CD-ROM

Boot from the Boot from the CD-ROMCD-ROM

Begin setup Begin setup processprocess

Press F10 or Press F10 or press R press R

CD-ROM drive CD-ROM drive lockslocks

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From Boot Menu SelectionFrom Boot Menu Selection

Run Winnt32/cmdconsRun Winnt32/cmdcons Approximately 7 MBApproximately 7 MB Boot.iniBoot.ini Boot menuBoot menu

C:\cmdcons\bootsect.dat= “Microsoft Windows Recovery Console” /cmdcons

An example of the Boot.ini entry:

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Logon ProcessLogon Process

Steps to log onSteps to log on Select the installationSelect the installation Select the numberSelect the number Enter administrator passwordEnter administrator password

Three tries to log onThree tries to log on Windows XP Home EditionWindows XP Home Edition

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Secure Limited AccessSecure Limited Access

Limited access to filesLimited access to files Limited access to directoriesLimited access to directories System and software hivesSystem and software hives

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Recovery Console CommandsRecovery Console Commands

Service commands Service commands Drive commands Drive commands MAP command MAP command File controls File controls Directory usage and commands Directory usage and commands BootCFG command BootCFG command Other commandsOther commands

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Service CommandsService Commands

Enable Service

Disable Service

Listsvc Browser Auto Computer BrowserCdrom Sys CD-ROM Driver

Disable Spooler

Enable Spooler Service_Demand_Start

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Drive Commands Drive Commands –– Format Format

Format a partitionFormat a partition Drive: the drive to format Drive: the drive to format Uses switchesUses switches

Format [Drive:] [/Q] [/FS:file-system]

The syntax to use the Format command is:

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Drive Commands Drive Commands –– Diskpart Diskpart

Delete partitionsDelete partitions Create partitionsCreate partitions Similar to setup screenSimilar to setup screen

Diskpart [/add | /delete] [Device-name | drive-name | partition-name] [size]

The syntax to use the Diskpart command is:

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Drive Commands Drive Commands –– Chkdsk Chkdsk

Detect bad sectorsDetect bad sectors Common switchesCommon switches

/P/P /R/R

chkdsk [Drive: [/P] [/R]

The syntax to use the Chkdsk command is:

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MAP CommandMAP Command

Map Map Example of the MAP command: Example of the MAP command:

C: FAT32 2102MB\device\harddisk0\Partition1 C: FAT32 2102MB\device\harddisk0\Partition1

D: NTFS 2102MB\device\harddisk0\partition2D: NTFS 2102MB\device\harddisk0\partition2

Map ARCMap ARC Example of the MAP arc argument:Example of the MAP arc argument:

C: FAT32 2102MB C: FAT32 2102MB multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)

D: NTFS 2102MB D: NTFS 2102MB multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)

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File ControlsFile Controls

DeleteDelete command syntax:

Delete [Drive:] [path] filename

CopyCopy command syntax :

Copy Source [Destination]

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Directory (DIR)Directory (DIR) DIR [drive:] [path][filename]DIR [drive:] [path][filename]

Make Directory (MD)Make Directory (MD) MD [drive:] path MD [drive:] path

Remove Directory (RD)Remove Directory (RD) RD [drive:] path RD [drive:] path

Change Directory (CD)Change Directory (CD) CD [path] [ ..] [drive:] CD [path] [ ..] [drive:]

Directory CommandsDirectory Commands

Be sure to use a space with the commands

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Bootcfg CommandsBootcfg Commands

Bootcfg Bootcfg /default /default /add/add /rebuild/rebuild /scan/scan /list/list /redirect /disable redirect/redirect /disable redirect

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Other CommandsOther Commands

CommandCommand DescriptionDescription

BatchBatch Permits the Recovery Console Permits the Recovery Console commands to run from a batch commands to run from a batch filefile

CLSCLS Clears the screenClears the screen

UP ArrowUP Arrow Retrieves previously typed Retrieves previously typed commandscommands

AttribAttrib Adds or removes attributes from Adds or removes attributes from filesfiles

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Other Commands Other Commands (2)(2)

CommandCommand DescriptionDescription

SystemRootSystemRoot Moves you back to %windir% Moves you back to %windir% from the current locationfrom the current location

More or TypeMore or Type Displays a text fileDisplays a text file

RenRen Permits you to rename an Permits you to rename an existing fileexisting file

ExitExit Exits from the Recovery ConsoleExits from the Recovery Console

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Repair FunctionalityRepair Functionality

FixMBR Rewrites the master boot record

Fixboot Writes a new boot sector

Warning: Changing the master boot record can remove data

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Expand FunctionalityExpand Functionality

Extracts from cabinet (.cab) filesExtracts from cabinet (.cab) files ExpandsExpands Destination directory must have permitted Destination directory must have permitted

accessaccess SwitchesSwitches

/Y /F /D/Y /F /D

Expand source [/F:filespec] [destination] [/y] [/D]

The syntax to use the Expand functionality is:

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Policy ChangesPolicy Changes

Administrative passwordAdministrative password Environment variablesEnvironment variables Registry changesRegistry changes Set commandSet command

AllowAllPaths = True\FalseAllWildCards = True\FalseAllRemovableMedia = True\FalseNoCopyPrompt = True\False

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Additional ResourcesAdditional ResourcesKnowledge Base Articles

Q315222, "A Description of the Safe Boot Mode Q315222, "A Description of the Safe Boot Mode Options in Windows XP"Options in Windows XP"

Q305595, "HOW TO: Create a Boot Disk for an NTFS Q305595, "HOW TO: Create a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition"or FAT Partition"

Q240831, "How to Copy Files from Recovery Console Q240831, "How to Copy Files from Recovery Console to Removable Media"to Removable Media"

Q316434, "HOW TO: Do Advanced Clean-Boot Q316434, "HOW TO: Do Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP"Troubleshooting in Windows XP"

Q310602, "How to Disable a Service or Device that Q310602, "How to Disable a Service or Device that Prevents Windows from Booting"Prevents Windows from Booting"

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Additional Resources Additional Resources (2)(2)

Knowledge Base Articles

Q307654, "HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Q307654, "HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP"Console in Windows XP"

Q291980, "A Discussion About the Bootcfg Q291980, "A Discussion About the Bootcfg Command and Its Uses"Command and Its Uses"

Q314058, "Description of the Windows XP Recovery Q314058, "Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console"Console"

Q307852, "HOW TO: Start Your Computer with Last Q307852, "HOW TO: Start Your Computer with Last Known Good Configuration"Known Good Configuration"

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