How to create a template to run the Recovery Console by using a Remote Installation Service server

This article describes how to create a template to run the Recovery Console by using a Remote Installation Service (RIS) server.

You can use the Recovery Console to help repair a non-bootable installation, but it requires the installation media that consists of the Setup disks or the CD-ROM. You can preinstall the Recovery Console by running the winnt32 /cmdcons command ahead of time to place the files on the local hard disk. Note that this option requires approximately 7 megabytes (MB) of disk space.

A preinstalled Recovery Console does not work if the boot loader or boot sector of the disk becomes damaged. However, you can create a floppy disk-based bootable disk, and then add the following entry to the Boot.ini file to help you to boot into the preinstalled Recovery Console: For more information about how to create a bootable disk for an NTFS or FAT partition, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Should none of these methods to start the Recovery Console work, and if the servers or client workstations have the ability to boot off the network by using the Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE) or a network adapter that supports the remote installation bootable floppy disk PXE emulator, you can use a RIS server to boot the client to Windows XP Professional text-mode Setup, and then select the Recovery Console option.

WARNING This process is to be used only when recovery of the system is needed. This process resets the computer's machine account in the Active Directory, and requires that the computer be rejoined to the domain. Do not perform this action on domain controllers. Note This article assumes that you already have existing RIS servers in your organization, and that your client and server meet the requirements for using this feature. For more information about how to install and configure RIS servers and client requirements, please consult the Windows Server 2003 documentation.

Create a template to run the Recovery Console by using a RIS server

You can add the Recovery Console option to the RIS server by creating a template (.sif) file that contains the following information. You can name the file Recovery Console.sif, and then place it in the templates folder in any current image on the RIS server. Because RIS enumerates the templates folder for .sif files to determine the menu options, placing it in the templates folder of your RIS image allows it to be displayed.

Because the use of this template requires that the computer be rejoined to the domain, you may want to hide this option from other users by restricting file system Access Control Lists (ACLs) to administrators. Note that the supported method for running the Recovery Console is to use the installation media. This option is provided only as a matter of convenience, and receives only "commercially reasonable effort" support.

You can use a text editor such as Notepad or Setupmgr.exe from the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 startup disk to create the following file: Note that the "Repartition = No" line must exist or RIS attempts to reformat the hard disk. The [UserData] section must also exist, or Setup does not succeed.

When the Welcome To Setup screen appears, either press F10 or R to repair, and then press C for the Recovery Console. Once repairs are complete, you must rejoin the domain.