Windows XP Recovery Techniques (from Cybex MCSA/SE WinXPPro 3rd Edition)

Event Viewer - If the Windows XP operating system can be loaded through Normal or Safe Mode, one of the first places to look for hints about the problem is Event Viewer. Event Viewer displays System, Security and Application Logs.

Safe Mode - This is generally your starting point for system recovery. Safe Mode loads the absolute minimum of services and drivers that are needed to boot Windows XP. If you can load Safe Mode, you may be able to troubleshoot devices or services that keep Windows XP from loading normally.

Last Known Good Configuration - This option can help if you made changes to your computer and are now having problems. Last Known Good Configuration is an Advanced Options Menu item that you can select during startup. IT loads the configuration that was used the last time the computer booted successfully. This option will not help if you have a hardware problem.

Driver Rollback - Driver Rollback is used to restore a driver to a previous version that has been saved. This option is used when you update a driver and it is not functioning properly.

Dr. Watson - This utility helps when you are experiencing problems with an application. Dr. Watson is used to diagnose and troubleshoot application errors.

Backup - You should use this utility to safeguard your computer. Through the Backup Utility you can back up the sytem or parts of the system and restore data from the backups that you have made.

Recovery Console - You can use this option if none of the other options or utilities works. The Recovery Console starts Windows XP without the graphical interface and allows the administrator limited capabilities, such as adding or replacing files and enabling/disabling services.

Everyone with T60, X60, Z60 should download and install the following:
MIGR-62909 which is the SATA drivers for the disk.

If you have a Windows XP CD and want to do a reinstall or do a repair you must have this driver on a "floppy" to load.

I had a problem with a dual boot Linux install and I thought it overwrote the MBR.

At any rate, it would not boot. I had to:
1. in the BIOS, for SATA Driver, switch to "compatiblility mode"
2. download migr-62909 and expand and install (install.cmd).
3. reboot and in BIOS, switch back to AHCP mode.

Also, as I mentioned, need this on a seperate disk to load in drivers if have the Windows XP CDs.

How to start system on safe mode??

ANYONE who has a sata machine and still uses XP should use nLite to make a custom XP CD/DVD with at minimum the SATA drivers on it...

nLite can do MUCH MUCH more then this though, it can integrate all other drivers, servicepacks, hotfixes into the CD, it can tweak all kinds of settings that the XP install normally would ask for or that people commonly change after install, it can integrate software (if there is a silent installer available) during setup... much much more.

Here is a pretty good tutorial for people new to nLite:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Install- ... 7807.shtml

here is another that is equally good:
http://teamtutorials.com/windows-tutori ... ll-w-nlite

You can make a custom dvd for just a single machine, or one that works on all your machines, setup just the way YOU like it

Best tool I have ever found for XP is ERD commander Boot disc, not publicly available but can be found.

Makes Windows repair and recovery so easy.

They have versions for Vista and W7 also.

Its part of the MSDaRT package for each OS.

I also do this for all my XP PC's
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/216417