Creating a Template to Run Recovery Console Using a Remote Install Server (222478)

SUMMARY

The Recovery Console for Windows 2000 assists in repairing a non-bootable installation, but it requires the installation media consisting of the four Setup disks or the CD-ROM. The Recovery Console can also be preinstalled by running the command "Winnt32 /cmdcons" ahead of time to place the files on the local hard disk. This option requires approximately 7 megabytes (MB) of disk space.

Having the Recovery Console preinstalled does not work if the boot loader or boot sector of the disk becomes damaged. However, you can create a floppy-disk-based boot disk, and then add the following entry to the Boot.ini file to facilitate booting into the preinstalled Recovery Console:

C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Windows 2000 Recovery Console" /cmdcons

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119467 Creating a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition

Should none of these methods to start the Recovery Console work, and if the servers or client workstations have the ability to boot off the network using the Pre-boot Execution Environment (PXE) or the network adapter supports the Remote Install boot floppy disk PXE emulator, you can use a Remote Installation Server (RIS) to boot the client to Windows 2000 text-mode Setup, and then select the Recovery Console option.

WARNING: This process is to be used only when recovery of the system is needed. This process resets the computer's machine account in the Active Directory and requires that the system be rejoined to the domain. Do not perform this action on domain controllers. NOTE: This article assumes that you already have existing RIS servers in your organization and that your client and server meet the requirements for using this feature. For more information about installing and configuring Remote Installation Servers and client requirements, please consult the Windows 2000 documentation.

MORE INFORMATION

To add this option to the RIS server, create a template (.sif) file that contains the following information. Because RIS enumerates the templates folder for SIF files to determine the menu options, placing it in the templates folder of your RIS image will allow it to be displayed. Because using this template requires that the computer be rejoined to the domain, you may want to hide this option from other users by restricting file system Access Control Lists (ACLs) to administrators. Note that the supported method for running the Recovery Console is to use the installation media. This option is provided only as a matter of convenience and will receive only "commercially reasonable effort" support.

You can use a text editor such as Notepad (or use setupmgr.exe from the Windows 2000 Resource Kit) to create the following file:

[data]
floppyless = "1"
msdosinitiated = "1"
OriSrc = "\\%SERVERNAME%\RemInst\%INSTALLPATH%"
OriTyp = "4"
LocalSourceOnCD = 1

[SetupData]
OsLoadOptions = "/noguiboot /fastdetect"
SetupSourceDevice ="\Device\LanmanRedirector\%SERVERNAME%\RemInst\%INSTALLPATH%"

[UserData]
FullName = "%USERFULLNAME%"
OrgName = "%ORGNAME%"
ComputerName = %MACHINENAME%

[RemoteInstall]
Repartition = no
[OSChooser]
Description ="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional - Recovery Console"
Help ="Allows user to perform repair operations, without local media, of a Windows Professional installation."
LaunchFile = "%INSTALLPATH%\%MACHINETYPE%\templates\startrom.com"
ImageType =Flat
Version="5.0"

Note that the "Repartition = No" line must exist or RIS will attempt to reformat the hard disk. The [UserData] section must also exist or Setup will not succeed.

When the Welcome To Setup screen appears, either press F10 or R to repair, and then press C for the Recovery Console. Once repairs are complete, you must rejoin the domain.