The Recovery Console cannot be installed on Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2003 (303139)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-based Systems

This article was previously published under Q303139

SYMPTOMS

When you use the winnt32.exe /cmdcons command to install the Recovery Console on a computer that is running the Itanium-based versions of Microsoft Windows Server 2003, you may receive the following error message:

The Recovery Console option is not supported on this platform.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because you cannot locally install the Recovery Console on Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2003 by using the winnt32 /cmdcons command. You can only install the Recovery Console on x86-based platforms.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, access the Recovery Console by starting the computer with the Windows Server 2003 installation disk, and then press the R key at the Welcome to Setup screen.

A faster method to access the Recovery Console is to press the F10 key during the driver-copy phase of Text-mode Setup (after the option to press the F6 key to install additional small computer system interface [SCSI] drivers has been displayed).

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

To repair a Windows Server 2003 installation with the Recovery Console, press the R key. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

314058 Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

295116 A description of the Windows XP Setup function keys

Modification Type:	Major	Last Reviewed:	5/11/2006
Keywords:	kberrmsg kbprb KB303139