Give me a command prompt on startup!

Phate · 17 Jun 2007 at 19:14

Hello all!

Got a friends PC here to fix and it says a file in System32 is corrupt and I said run the XP Setup and press R

Fine, repair install, easy.

But the damn thing won't boot from any of my XP cd's, I've set the boot sequence the CD only, and disabled it to boot from any other device and it's not having any of it.

I'm now thinking if I can get a command prompt I'll be able to look at the files on the CD and run the setup

Any ideas on how to do this?

Thanks all

Sone · 17 Jun 2007 at 19:17

boot from usb key or floppy?

HP make a nice utility for creating a usb boot drive

Phate · 17 Jun 2007 at 19:18

Sone said:
boot from usb key or floppy?

HP make a nice utility for creating a usb boot driver

Got a link please mate?

Sone · 17 Jun 2007 at 19:21

think its this http://h18000.www1.hp.com/support/files/serveroptions/us/download/23839.html

Says it works only on hp drives but iv'e used it on loads of generic drives

Phate · 17 Jun 2007 at 19:22

Sone said:
think its this http://h18000.www1.hp.com/support/files/serveroptions/us/download/23839.html

Says it works only on hp drives but iv'e used it on loads of generic drives

Thanks

Will let you know how I get on

Sone · 17 Jun 2007 at 19:23

i had to use a boot floppy to get a dos boot image (when installed you will see what i mean, asks for linux boot or slect own boot image), i am sure theres an easier way but i used to upgrade thin client terminals so didn't spend long messing with it.

The_KiD · 18 Jun 2007 at 11:56

Boot from win98 floppy (www.bootdisk.com)

Get on to the CD, go in to the i386 folder and run the winnt command.

TheKnat · 18 Jun 2007 at 12:00

The_KiD said:
Boot from win98 floppy (www.bootdisk.com)

Get on to the CD, go in to the i386 folder and run the winnt command.

I'd go for this option as well. Old reliable Win98 boot disk has saved my ass a number of times

Teaf · 18 Jun 2007 at 12:20

Think you can also get a command prompt from the Windows XP CD from the Recovery Console. I know you mentioned that you've tried a repair, which you press "R" at when you hit "Enter", but if you press "R" for the Recovery Console before you press "Enter" it'll run through some stuff and open a command prompt with administrator privaleges (got to provide the password of course). It's how I ran a chkdsk on my system recently.

Phate · 18 Jun 2007 at 12:30

flibby said:
Think you can also get a command prompt from the Windows XP CD from the Recovery Console. I know you mentioned that you've tried a repair, which you press "R" at when you hit "Enter", but if you press "R" for the Recovery Console before you press "Enter" it'll run through some stuff and open a command prompt with administrator privaleges (got to provide the password of course). It's how I ran a chkdsk on my system recently.

My main issue was that it wouldn't even boot the XP CD.

I borrowed one off my mate and that booted fine.

Thanks for all the input above though

got the machine working now and it's running sweet as after some TLC from me

Teaf · 18 Jun 2007 at 12:34

Ahh, sorry, missed the bit about not booting from cd's

Glad it's working though

Phate · 18 Jun 2007 at 12:36

flibby said:
Ahh, sorry, missed the bit about not booting from cd's

Glad it's working though

No worrys, she'll be a happy bunny when I take it back to her tonight

- Now I need to arrange payment