XP Recovery Console.

[Dusty]

Recovery Console Password

On many XP installations you can't start the Recovery Console because it won't recognize any password even if a password has never been set (just hitting Enter will not work either). This registry edit causes the Recovery Console not to ask for a password. This works for both XP Home and XP Professional.  The Regedit should be done before problems arise (like do it now).  Take the usual backup precautions before editing the registry.

Start | Run | Regedit
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Setup\RecoveryConsole
Set the DWORD SecurityLevel value to 1
Exit Registry and Reboot

[patio]

Done.

Excellent Tip, Dusty ! !

[Broni]

Same setup in Vista.
Done.
Thank you.

[Dusty]

Thanks guys.

[2k_dummy]

A great up front tip. Suggest it be made a sticky or given a prominent place in the the FAQ.

[Dusty]

A great up front tip. Suggest it be made a sticky or given a prominent place in the the FAQ.

I've sometimes thought that CH should have a sticky or FAQ to show users how to prepare for their pc failing to boot or crashing etc..  Things like the Restore Console password Regedit,   having a Bootdisk such as NTFS4DOS (and/or The Ultimate Boot CD), a bootdisk with Delpart etc... so that when things go wrong some preparation has been made and a software toolkit is to hand.  The list could include their hdd manufacturer's diagnostic pack and Memtest86.

But then maybe having the toolkit would cause more problems than it would solve.  I really haven't come to a conclusion.

Any comments?

[patio]

The tools suggested should meet both the user's skill level and needs