XP Recovery console and repair

[njreid]

I have a copy of xp pro without recovery console and repair existing installation option. Is there any way to intergrate these options into the install disk?

My version is XP Pro with no service pac.

[submix8c]

Has this already been nLited?

(note - the original RTM version had a bug in the Recovery console as well - don't remember the exact KB Hotfix but had to do with the Admin Password not being accepted - not generally distributed except to OEM's)

edit - just an addendum - The KB/Q that I mentioned is Q308402 and may be irrelevant if booting from an untouched (not nLited/altered) CD. The Boot Disk sets (RTM, SP1, SP2 available for download) have the corrected files (unsure about the RTM set).

Edited April 22, 2011 by submix8c

[Guest]

Remove the [unattended] section from winnt.sif to get the repair option back. The recovery console is always accessible even with the [unattended] there. Just press F10 when the F6 prompt appears to get to it.

[njreid]

My version is corporate that I bought where I work. Since it did not have any service pack I have used nLite to intergrate sp3 hot fixes and drivers.

When the install checks for previous versions it skips to slect which partition do you want to install on. If I don't use the unattended option will the

repair current version be available?

[submix8c]

Just checked with an Unattended - F10 is ok, Repair Option is gone.

So, appears that the advice given in previous post is correct. Here is confirmation.

Bottom line, do everything that's needed except the Unattended part to retain the Repair option (unattended is usually for a New install like an OEM performs).

(aarghhh! wiped my test bed in Virtual PC double-checking this - it's fine, tho 'cause planned on redoing it ennyhoo...)

Edited April 22, 2011 by submix8c

[jaclaz]

But actually removing the [unattended] section from WINNT.SIF causes not that many problems, you only have to additionally press F8 to accept the EULA, see here:

jaclaz

[njreid]

Thank You All for the help. I am suprised how quickly and accurately my questions were answered!

[jaclaz]

Thank You All for the help. I am suprised how quickly and accurately my questions were answered!

Nothing "personal" we simply like having happy bunnies around .

jaclaz

[tomasz86]

I've got similar question but related to Windows 2000.

F10 doesn't work for W2K and removing [unattended] isn't very convenient as you need accept the license twice (text setup + gui part) and also get warnings about uncertified drivers (if you've integrated some) so the result is that you have to sit in from of the computer during the installation process

I guess there's no other way to enable Recovery Console under W2K. Am I right?

[jaclaz]

I guess there's no other way to enable Recovery Console under W2K. Am I right?

No.

It all depends on how much time you want to spend in creating an alternate booting sequence, if you want/can use a different CD bootsector/loader, etc. etc.

If everything has to come from MS, yes.

jaclaz