How to install the Recovery Console in Windows XP

How to install the Recovery Console in Windows XP

You can install the Recovery Console on your computer to make it available if you cannot restart Windows. You can then select the Recovery Console option from the list of available operating systems during startup. Install the Recovery Console on important servers and on the workstations of IT personnel.

This article describes how to install the Recovery Console to your Microsoft Windows XP-based computer. To install the Recovery Console, you must be logged on as an administrator.

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD-ROM drive.

2. Click Start, and then click Run.

3. In the Open box, type d:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons where d is the drive letter for the CD-ROM drive. In the case of 'Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, type d:\amd64\winnt32.exe /cmdcons where d is the drive letter for the CD-ROM drive.

4. A Windows Setup Dialog Box appears. The Windows Setup Dialog Box describes the Recovery Console option. To confirm the installation, click Yes.

5. Restart the computer. The next time that you start your computer, "Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" appears on the startup menu.

Alternatively, you can use a Universal Naming Convention (UNC)-established connection to install the Recovery Console from a network share point.

Note You may receive an error message that is similar the following:

Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD.

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Use a Windows XP SP2 CD

Click Start, click Run, type CD drive letter:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons, and then click OK

Method 2: Install the Recovery Console before you install Windows XP SP2

Install the Recovery Console before you install Windows XP SP2. After you install the Recovery Console, install Windows XP SP2.

Method 3: Install the Recovery Console by using files in the Windows XP SP2 Installation folder

1. Create a Windows XP SP2 Installation folder.

2. Click Start, and then click Run.

3. Type the following command:
FolderPath:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons

Note In this step, FolderPath is the drive and folder name that are used as the Installation folder. For example, the drive and folder name that are used in Microsoft Knowledge Base article 900871 are C:\XPSP2.

4. Confirm the installation when you are prompted by clicking Yes.

5. Restart the computer.

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