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How to Create an Emergency Repair Disk

by Stephen Bucaro    

If your operating system is Windows XP Professional or Windows 2000, it isn't bootable with a boot disk. With these operating systems you need an Emergency Repair Disk that works with the systems built-in repair functions.

Note: Windows XP Home Edition doesn't use an Emergency Repair Disk, instead it uses the Windows Me style System Restore feature.

To create an Emergency Repair Disk, prepare a formatted floppy disk and label it "Emergency Repair Disk" along with the date and specify which computer it was made with. An Emergency Repair Disk is specific to the system that you created it on.

Click Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Backup. The Backup utility window will appear. Click on the "Emergency Repair Disk" button. When prompted to, insert the formatted floppy disk that you prepared into the floppy disk drive. Set the check box to also backup the registry. Then click on the "OK" button.

After the Emergency Repair Disk has been written, click the "OK" button and remove the disk.

If your computer fails to start, the Emergency Repair Disk will help you repair your system files. it works with information stored in your computers C:WINNT/repair folder. To use the Emergency Repair Disk to restore your computer:

1. Make sure your BIOS is configured to boot from the CD-ROM Drive. Then start your computer from your Windows XP Professional or Windows 2000 setup CD. You may be prompted to press a key to boot from the CD-ROM drive.

2. You will be prompted if you want to set up Windows 2000, or if you want to repair a damaged system. To repair a damaged system press "R".

3. You will prompted if you want to use the Recovery Console or if you want to use the Emergency Repair Process to repair your system. Press "R" to repair using the Emergency Repair Process.

4.You will be prompted if want to use the manual repair option or the fast repair option. The fast repair option does not require any user interaction. The manual repair option should be used only by experienced users. Press "F" to use the Fast Repair option.

5.You will be asked if you have the Emergency Repair Disk or if you want Windows 2000 to attempt to locate Windows 2000 for you. Press "Enter" if you have the Emergency Repair Disk.

6.You will be prompted to insert the Windows 2000 Emergency Repair Disk. Insert the disk into the floppy drive and press "Enter".

With a little luck Windows 2000 will be able to repair itself. Most people don't consider creating an Emergency Repair Disk until their computer fails to start - then it's too late. Why not take a minute to make one now?