On Call: The Recovery Console

Ever since Windows 2000, Microsoft's Recovery Console has offered the option of reading and changing individual files on NTFS partitions. However, virus scans and quick, uncomplicated backup of large quantities of data are not options here. The reason is that only very few commands can be executed from the Recovery Console. (Fortunately, it is possible to switch services on and off using the Console.)

The Recovery Console is on the Windows XP installation CD and can be started from the CD directly after booting.

The Recovery Console is launched with the menu item R (Repair)

Selecting the Windows disk partition: in most cases, only the number 1 exists

First Aid: the HELP command displays all available commands

When nothing else works: with FIXBOOT...

...and FIXMBR, the boot sector and master boot record are recovered