Unable to install Recovery Console from XP recovery disc (Combofix problem)

nottseagull

I downloaded and ran Combofix, OKing the 'This action will disable and terminate NVATray appication' box.
I disabled Avast, which confirmed that all shields were off, but Combofix still came up with 'The Avast antivirus real time scanner(s) are still active but Combofix shall continue to run. Kindly note that this is at your own risk'. I was also surprised that Combofix stated it would be unable to perform a full report because XP Recovery Console was not installed; my PC was bought new in 2002 with XP preinstalled (it is not the one I have installed Linux on as per another thread). So I altered the BIOS to boot the original recovery disc. I selected 'To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console' by pressing R, which presented me with the following screen. I typed in and entered 1 as this was the only option, but nothing happened. I pressed enter again, and it brought up the drive I wanted, but nothing happened. Pressing enter again just did the same thing again and again. is there something wrong with the disc or are the instructions simply inadequate?

spakkker

CD may not have rec. console http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000635.htm

But it's only a 7mb d/load http://www.instantfundas.com/2007/09/install-recovery-console-to-hard-disk.html
being an iso it will need to be burned to cd

combo usually d/loads it.

pcombo

Whats showing on the screenshot is the recovery console command line based. type help to get the list of commands up.

debitcardmayhem

You have entered recovery console by the looks of it , it is not a recovery solution of its own it allow you to make changes to your windows system if it cannot boot . Look here for the commands. What are you trying to do?

nottseagull

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

What are you trying to do?

Run a full scan of Combofix, which requires this Console; I cannot take up its offer to download it as the PC no longer installs the 3 mobile dongle's software (states massfilter.sys is needed). But there are malware issues I need to deal with first before trying to reconnect.

pcombo wrote: »

Whats showing on the screenshot is the recovery console command line based. type help to get the list of commands up.

I did that, but none of the options remotely related to the Console. I do not understand why it simply doesn't tell you how to select the only option it shows on the screen!

Hammyman

Wow...shows the difference between people like myself who've had PCs since the old DOS days and those who've come into using computers in the last decade...

What you have to do is enter commands. You'll need to change to the directory the combofix executable file is in by typing something like:

cd \program files\combofix

And then running the executable file there whose name you can find out by typing

dir *.exe

and then type in the name of the result listed so if it lists fixme.exe you type

fixme

and then press return.

nottseagull

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

You have entered recovery console by the looks of it , it is not a recovery solution of its own it allow you to make changes to your windows system if it cannot boot . Look here for the commands.

After reading that link, it has dawned on me that I have followed the instructions correctly, contrary to the gist of the replies. It states:

After you start the Windows Recovery Console, you receive the following message:
Microsoft Windows(R) Recovery Console

The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality.
Type EXIT to exit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.

1: C:\WINDOWS

Which Windows Installation would you like to log on to ?
(To cancel, press ENTER)
Enter the number for the appropriate Windows installation. In this example, you would press 1. Then, Windows prompts you to enter the Administrator account password.

Well, anybody who read the OP will realise that is exactly what I did; I pressed 1 and entered it, but nothing happened.
This is the problem I am asking for help with, the reason for the thread.

stilltheone

To install the Recovery Console, follow these steps:
Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD drive.
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type d:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons where d is the drive letter for the CD drive. For Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, type d:\amd64\winnt32.exe /cmdcons where d is the drive letter for the CD drive.
A Windows Setup Dialog Box appears. The Windows Setup Dialog Box describes the Recovery Console option. To confirm the installation, click Yes.


If it doesn't work, refer to the first line in post #2.

Troubleshooting:

A]
1. Go to Start>> Right click My Computer>> Manage>> Disk Management
2. Check to ensure that there is a drive letter assigned to the drive. If there is not, right click the drive and select "Change". Then, see if you can assign a drive letter to this drive.

If the device is listed in Disk Management and has an assigned drive letter, you can try right clicking the device again and this time select "Explorer". Windows Explorer should now be invoked and should display the device and any content within.
[C]
1. Go to Start>> Right click My Computer>> Manage>> Device Manager
2. Expand the USB Controller section
3. Right click and Uninstall all of the listed USB devices
4. Reboot the system
[D]
Try connecting the device directly to the USB port and not through a USB hub to see if that makes a difference.
[E]
Remove any USB extension cable and try plugging in the USB device directly to the USB port. Possibly, try a different cable.
[F]
If the USB device does not have an auxiliary power supply, try connecting it to the system before the boot process and after then after the boot process.
[G]
If the USB device has its own auxiliary power supply, try using it with its power on before the boot process and then off during the boot process. Try it on and off after the boot process.
[H]
If the problem device is an external HDD, try using the manufactures diagnostic utility (if available) to see if the device is functioning correctly.

If your problem USB device is connected to a PCI card, try changing it from one slot to another.
[J]
Try applying an update (if available) of the problem USB device from the manufactures web site. Also, check to see if there has been issues with this device. There may be a chipset driver update or BIOS update available for your Motherboard that could solve the issue.[/QUOTE]

This is a long running saga now, drawn out singularly becuse you are selective in the advice that you choose to take. This has resulted in no progress being made one month later.

Continue to bury you head in the sand and you can ring in the New Year dealing with the same problem.

You don't appear to have any friends who can afford you Internet access and you refuse the help of kind strangers to supply you with the tools that you need.

So the saga goes on.... and soon you will start another thread concerning the very same problem.

How many threads is it now? Five?

This leaves the people trying to assist you with little idea of the full picture. Which if they knew could help them to solve the problem.

Instead you create thread after thread, following your own flawed thinking.
You have no idea how to analyse a ComboFix log, but you are putting all your resources into creating one.

A competent technician would have solved your problem within an hour, but most can see the biggest obstacle is to resolution is you.

It can't be a matter of pride, as you are on here asking elementary questions to which solutions can be found in minutes.

It's likely just pig-headedness and now you've backed yourself into a corner into which you cannot escape.

You should have taken the offer of the discs supplied to you at no cost. In normal circumstances, you would just be pointed towards links with instructions, but you have no suitable Internet access.

Incredible.

Rabbir1

nottseagull wrote: »

Well, anybody who read the OP will realise that is exactly what I did; I pressed 1 and entered it, but nothing happened.
This is the problem I am asking for help with, the reason for the thread.

That pic is the recovery console. You are in it. It didn't ask for a password as you dont have one. You now have to enter the commands on the command line.

nottseagull

Rabbir1 wrote: »

That pic is the recovery console. You are in it. It didn't ask for a password as you dont have one. You now have to enter the commands on the command line.

Are you saying I already have the same utility that Spakker refers to in #2? He knows the utility I need, as he correctly stated that Combofix offers to download it.
If this is some glitch caused by my malware (or even myself, Stilltheone )
then I can present my log. At the risk of further criticism, I will put it on a new thread in the hope that it catches the eye of those capable of analysing it.

Rabbir1

nottseagull wrote: »

Are you saying I already have the same utility that Spakker refers to in #2? He knows the utility I need, as he correctly stated that Combofix offers to download it.
If this is some glitch caused by my malware (or even myself, Stilltheone )
then I can present my log. At the risk of further criticism, I will put it on a new thread in the hope that it catches the eye of those capable of analysing it.

You are running the recovery console from your CD. I would follow stilltheone's advice above to copy from CD to your windows install. Or download it as Spakkers post.