Troubleshooting Resources

• Note: I packaged files below in .zip format because some web browsers change text files upon download.

• rc-open.zip -- Extend Recovery Console on Windows XP Home or Pro (and Windows 2000):
  • Allows entry to Recovery Console without Administrator password
  • Allows Recovery Console's SET command to permit important functions
  • Especially for XP Home, which has no Local Security Policy program for these functions (see textbook pages 340-341)
  1. Click on the above file link to display an Open or Download dialog box
  2. If the dialog box contains an Open option, select it and click to proceed. 
  • Otherwise:
    • Download file to your Desktop
    • On your Desktop, open "rc-open.zip" (usually a double-click)
  • A "rc-open" zip folder window opens, containing "rc-open.reg", with a green and white icon.
  3. Open "rc-open.reg" (again, usually a double-click) to merge it into your Windows Registry.
  4. Close the "rc-open.zip" folder window.
  5. If you downloaded to your Desktop above, you may delete the "rc-open.zip" file afterwards.

  "rc-open.reg" is a standard-format registry merge file, containing this text:

  Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

  [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Setup\RecoveryConsole]
           "SetCommand"=dword:00000001
           "SecurityLevel"=dword:00000001

• setrc.zip -- Contains "setrc.txt", a Windows XP Recovery Console batch program using SET to permit important functions (see textbook pages 342-345).
  • Run in Recovery Console after you have changed its security settings, either with "rc-open.reg" (above), or with Local Security Policy in Windows XP Pro (see textbook pages 340-341). 
    • If you can't start Windows, change Recovery Console settings with the Offline Password & Registry Editor below.

• Offline Password & Registry Editor by P. Nordahl
  • Boots from CD without starting Windows
  • Resets passwords (including Administrator)
  • Fixes Recovery Console security settings
  • Allows other registry edits
  • For instructions, see the Walkthrough

• Windows XP crash fix using Recovery Console (Microsoft Knowlege Base article)
  • Tutorial based on the above by Charlie White
  • regcopy.zip:  Contains Recovery Console batch programs, revised by Eric S., based on the above:
    • regcopy1.txt
    • regcopy2.txt

• CCleaner disk and registry cleanup
• Windows Disk Cleanup automation for scripts
• Disable Windows Autorun to stop malware
• Repair XP (thanks to student Oleg Obukhov, Spring 2005)
• Fixing a device driver load crash (Microsoft Knowlege Base article)
• Recovering from Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Start Problems (Microsoft Support WebCast, July 16, 2003) -- Useful for Windows XP & Windows 2000 Pro as well.
• Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools
• Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 32-bit Support Tools - works in Windows Vista