Install the Microsoft Recovery Console

Here are the instructions for setting up the Microsoft Recovery Console.

The Recovery Console is a command line interface that provides functions that may be used to repair problems with Windows NT, 2000 or XP.

Windows XP Service Pack 2

Microsoft do not enable the Recovery Console to be installed after Windows XP SP2 has been installed. If you do not own an installation CD for Windows XP but the XP installation files have been pre-installed to the hard drive you may update these installation files to SP2 by using a process called Slipstreaming. Click here for instructions on how to slipstream Windows XP so that the recovery console may be installed.

Once Windows XP has been slipstreamed you may install the Recovery Console using the following instructions.

As an alternative to copying the Recovery Console files to your hard drive you may boot the Recovery Console directly from your Windows installation CD by choosing the Repair option.

Installing the Recovery Console.

1. From the task bar select Start / All Programs / Accessories / Command Prompt.

2. Enter the command:

   [CD]:\I386\WINNT32.EXE/CMDCONS where:

   [CD] = The CD drive letter, or path to the I386 folder.

   = type a space here.

3. Acknowledge the install by selecting Yes.

4. Optionally allow Microsoft to update the install files. The Restore Registry option of AISBackup works with the standard Recovery Console so an update is not required.

5. The Recovery Console option is automatically added to the boot menu.

6. Optionally backup the new boot menu using AIS Boot Menu Backup.