What happened to the Messenger Plus! forums on msghelp.net?
Shoutbox » MsgHelp Archive » Skype & Technology » Tech Talk » How to get command prompt before windows loading

Pages: (2): « First « 1 [ 2 ] Last »
How to get command prompt before windows loading
Author: Message:
UDcc123
New Member
*


Posts: 7
Joined: Mar 2008
O.P. RE: RE: How to get command prompt before windows loading
quote:
Originally posted by pollolibredegrasa
If you have a Windows XP CD, you can boot from that and when it prompts you, press R to enter recovery mode, this should let you rename the file back (you might need the administrator password to do this).

Alternatively, if you have access to another XP computer, boot into windows on that and insert a blank floppy disk. Then in My Computer, right click the floppy drive, click format and make sure you select "Create an MS-DOS startup disk". You should then be able to boot into DOS mode from that and rename the files.

The floppy option would probably be easiest.  Would it work burning a CD for an MS-DOS startup disk too, or just with a floppy?  If only a floppy works, does Circuit City sell floppys?

If that option doesn't work, I assume since it's a personal PC we use at home, there wouldn't be an administrator password.  Is this correct?

Thanks!
03-06-2008 02:07 PM
Profile E-Mail PM Find Quote Report
MeEtc
Patchou's look-alike
*****

Avatar
In the Shadow Gallery once again

Posts: 2200
Reputation: 60
38 / Male / Flag
Joined: Nov 2004
Status: Online
RE: How to get command prompt before windows loading
I would recommend this tool to you, and anyone else that needs any kind of alternative for boot options, and doesn't want to use a Linux live cd:
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

Called BartPE, it basically makes a version of Windows bootable from CD using the original files from a Windows install CD.
[Image: signature/]     [Image: sharing.png]
I cannot hear you. There is a banana in my ear.
03-06-2008 02:37 PM
Profile PM Web Find Quote Report
UDcc123
New Member
*


Posts: 7
Joined: Mar 2008
O.P. RE: RE: How to get command prompt before windows loading
quote:
Originally posted by pollolibredegrasa
Alternatively, if you have access to another XP computer, boot into windows on that and insert a blank floppy disk. Then in My Computer, right click the floppy drive, click format and make sure you select "Create an MS-DOS startup disk". You should then be able to boot into DOS mode from that and rename the files.

Okay.  I'm slowly getting there.  I made the backup DOS boot disk two nights ago, but when I got home and tried to load it I got the following error: 

Disk I/O error
Replace the disk, and then press any key

I figured the DOS program wasn't being recognized on my Dell for some reason, so I went back to my work PC today and recreated the boot disk.  Afterwards, I renamed mode.com to mode.exe.

I tried loading that new boot disk and I had success...the PC gave me a A:\> prompt.  I thought I was in the clear.  I typed "cd C:/windows/system32" and received "Invalid drive specification".  I tried "cd C:" and received the same error.

How can I get my PC to recognize my C drive through the MS-DOS floppy backup?
03-08-2008 12:05 AM
Profile E-Mail PM Find Quote Report
Jarrod
Veteran Member
*****

Avatar
woot simpson

Posts: 1304
Reputation: 20
– / Male / Flag
Joined: Sep 2006
RE: How to get command prompt before windows loading
wtf not "cd c:"
code:
c:
cd windows
cd system32


[Image: 5344.png]
[Image: sig.png]

A.k.a. The Glad Falconer














03-08-2008 12:41 PM
Profile E-Mail PM Find Quote Report
UDcc123
New Member
*


Posts: 7
Joined: Mar 2008
O.P. RE: How to get command prompt before windows loading
I got it to work!  I used the windows boot disc to get to the recovery console and it worked perfectly.  Thanks for everyone's help.
03-08-2008 02:34 PM
Profile E-Mail PM Find Quote Report
CookieRevised
Elite Member
*****

Avatar

Posts: 15519
Reputation: 173
– / Male / Flag
Joined: Jul 2003
Status: Away
RE: How to get command prompt before windows loading
quote:
Originally posted by xen0h
wtf not "cd c:"
code:
c:
cd windows
cd system32


"cd c:" can be used to check the current path on the C: drive. If he got an error earlier while he wanted to change the path, it is not inlogic that he tries "cd c:" to see the current path on that drive.

in that same aspect, doing "cd c:\whatever" wouldn't have switched drives either, only the current path on that drive.
.-= A 'frrrrrrrituurrr' for Wacky =-.
03-08-2008 03:05 PM
Profile PM Find Quote Report
Pages: (2): « First « 1 [ 2 ] Last »
« Next Oldest Return to Top Next Newest »


Threaded Mode | Linear Mode
View a Printable Version
Send this Thread to a Friend
Subscribe | Add to Favorites
Rate This Thread:

Forum Jump:

Forum Rules:
You cannot post new threads
You cannot post replies
You cannot post attachments
You can edit your posts
HTML is Off
myCode is On
Smilies are On
[img] Code is On