The Recovery Console

The Recovery Console is a text-mode command interpreter that allows you to access the hard disk of a computer running Windows Server 2003 for basic troubleshooting and system maintenance.  The Recovery Console is particularly useful when the operating system cannot be started, as the recovery console can be used to run diagnostics, disable drivers and services, replace files, and partition disks.

You can start the recovery console by booting from the Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM and, when prompted, pressing R to choose the repair and recover option. Alternatively, you install the recovery console and use it as a standard boot-up option. This option is preferred since the Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM is not needed.

To install the Recovery Console, insert the Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM and from a command-prompt use the winnt32 command with the /cmdcons switch.

For example e:\i386\winnt32 /cmdcons will use the winnt32 command from the Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM with the /cmdcons switch.

Click on Yes to install the Recovery Console.

The Recovery Console is then installed.

Once installed, Click on OK.

The Recovery Console can now be accessed from the boot choices menu when starting the computer.

To load the Recovery Console hit Enter.

The Console is then loaded.

Choose which operating system you would like to log onto, in this case “1”.

Specify the Administrator password.

Once logged in you can access various options from the installation:

Listsvc: Displays the services and drivers that are listed in the registry as well as their start-up settings. You can use this to find out the name of a driver or service that is causing a problem.

Enable/Disable: Controls the start-up status of a service or driver. You can obtain the name of the service or driver by using the listsvc command.

Diskpart: Provides the ability to create and delete partitions by using an interface similar to that of the text-based portion of setup.

Bootcfg: Enables you to manage the start-up menu.

For more options specify Help at the command line. Or for help on a specific command type help command.

e.g. The listsvc command shows a list of all services and drivers on the machine as well as their status.

The command disable messenger will prevent the messenger service from starting.