Fix, Recover, Restore and Repair Windows XP - Using the Recovery Console if Windows XP Won't Even Boot into Safe Mode

How to use the Recovery Console to restore a corrupt Windows XP Registry when the PC/computer won't even boot into Safe Mode

If you find that for one reason or another that you cannot even boot your Windows XP computer into Safe Mode and you have not installed the Recovery Console on to the computer's hard disk drive, and you don't have a Windows XP installation CD from which the Recovery Console can be used, or from which a BartPE recovery disc can be created, an excellent method of recovery is provided on this page of this section of my website:

http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/Recovering_Windows_XP_How_to_create_a_boot_Windows_XP_CD_DVD.htm

However, if you can make use of the Recovery Console from a Windows XP installation CD or from the Recovery Console installed in the system, read on to find out how to use it to recover the system if it won't boot into Safe Mode.

If the Registry in Windows XP, which contains the configuration data and the settings for all the PC's hardware, the operating system software, the application software and user settings,etc., is corrupted to the point where it won't allow the PC to boot, you won't be able to access Safe Mode in order to use System Restore or any of the other recovery options, all of which are dealt with on this section of this website.

However, there is a way to restore the backups of the Registry (that Windows stores as restore points in System Restore) by using the Windows XP Recovery Console.

If you have not installed it on the PC's hard disk drive that allows it to be accessed from the boot menu, accessing the Recovery Console requires a Windows XP installation CD. Note that you cannot use the Recovery CD/DVD that many brand-name PC manufacturers supply instead of a Windows XP CD.

How to install the Windows Recovery Console - "This article describes how to install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console to your hard disk. If you install this tool to your local hard disk, Windows Recovery Console is added as a choice on the Windows Startup menu." -

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/216417

If you don't have a Windows XP CD, you can make use of a specially-designed recovery CD, such as Bart's Preinstalled Environment (BartPE). You can also use a Linux-based recovery disc such as the Ultimate Boot CD. However, the commands will be different from those provided here for the Windows XP CD.

Here is how to use the Windows XP CD to restore the Registry:

1. - Make sure by entering the PC's BIOS that the CD/DVD drive is set as the first boot device, otherwise the computer won't be able to boot from the CD. If you don't know how to do that, visit the BIOS section of this site for the required information.

2. - Boot the system from the Windows XP CD.

3. - Windows setup will start. Use the option to press the R key to access the Recovery Console. Select your Windows installation. It will be the only installation unless you have more than one version of Windows installed.

4. - Enter the Administrator password when prompted for it. If you don't use one, just press the Enter key.

5. - Enter the following commands as is:

CD C:\ CD “system volume information\_resto~1”

DIR

6. - Choose the restore point (RPx) that you want to use by using the folder date stamps as a guide and then enter the following commands:

CD RPx (x is the System Restore restore point that you chose)

CD SNAPSHOT

7. - Enter the following commands that overwrite the existing corrupted Registry files:

COPY _registry_machine_system C:\Windows\System32\Config\System

COPY _registry_machine_software C:\Windows\System32\Config\Software

COPY _registry_machine_sam C:\Windows\System32\Config\Sam

COPY _registry_machine_security C:\Windows\System32\Config\Security