Windows Recovery Technical Reference

Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) is an extensible recovery platform based on Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE). When the computer fails to start, Windows automatically fails over into this environment, and the Startup Repair tool in Windows RE automates the diagnosis and repair of an unbootable Windows Vista installation. Furthermore, Windows RE is a starting point for various tools for manual system recovery. The primary audience of this technology includes original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), original device manufacturers (ODMs), and corporate IT professionals.

In this Section

What is Windows RE?
How Windows RE Works
Windows RE Scripts

Use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows

You can use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) to troubleshoot and repair the following items in Windows Vista or Windows 7:

• A master boot record (MBR)
• A boot sector
• A Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store

Note When you are troubleshooting startup issues by using the Windows RE, you should first try the Startup Repairoption in the System Recovery Options dialog box. If the Startup Repair option does not resolve the issue, or if you must troubleshoot more steps manually, use the Bootrec.exe tool.

To run the Bootrec.exe tool, you must start Windows RE. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Put the Windows Vista or Windows 7 installation disc in the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when you are prompted.
3. Select a language, a time, a currency, a keyboard or an input method, and then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
6. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
7. Type Bootrec.exe, and then press ENTER.

Note To start the computer from the Windows Vista or Windows 7 DVD, the computer must be configured to start from the DVD drive. For more information about how to configure the computer to start from the DVD drive, see the documentation that is included with the computer or contact the computer manufacturer.


To do this, type the following commands at the Windows RE command prompt:

• bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
• c:
• cd boot
• attrib bcd -s -h -r
• ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old
• bootrec /RebuildBcd

/FixMbr

The /FixMbr option writes a Windows 7 or Windows Vista-compatible MBR to the system partition. This option does not overwrite the existing partition table. Use this option when you must resolve MBR corruption issues, or when you have to remove nonstandard code from the MBR.

/FixBoot

The /FixBoot option writes a new boot sector to the system partition by using a boot sector that is compatible with Windows Vista or Windows 7. Use this option if one of the following conditions is true:

• The boot sector was replaced with a nonstandard Windows Vista or Windows 7 boot sector.
• The boot sector is damaged.
• An earlier Windows operating system was installed after Windows Vista or Windows 7 was installed. In this scenario, the computer starts by using Windows NT Loader (NTLDR) instead of Windows Boot Manager (Bootmgr.exe).

/ScanOs

The /ScanOs option scans all disks for installations that are compatible with Windows Vista or Windows 7. Additionally, this option displays the entries that are currently not in the BCD store. Use this option when there are Windows Vista or Windows 7 installations that the Boot Manager menu does not list.

/RebuildBcd

The /RebuildBcd option scans all disks for installations that are compatible with Windows Vista or Windows 7. Additionally, this option lets you select the installations that you want to add to the BCD store. Use this option when you must completely rebuild the BCD. WAZOO

Acer Aspire One BIOS Recovery

The BIOS is now also available from Acer european server. There is actually a text file included which recommends to flash the BIOS from DOS via a bootable USB stick.

Also available from here if above does not work

BIOS 3310 • Download

First format an USB stick with FAT.

Download the latest BIOS, and put both FLASHIT.EXE and the BIOS file in the root directory of the stick. Rename the BIOS file to ZG5IA32.FD, that's important. Do not remove the USB stick.

Turn off the Acer Aspire One, make sure both battery and AC adapter are connected. 

Press Fn+Esc, keep it pressed and press the power button to turn on. 

Release Fn+Esc after a few seconds, the power button will be blinking. 

Press the power button once. 

The Acer Aspire One will now initiate the BIOS flash, do not interrupt it under any circumstances. After a while the power button will stop blinking, and the Acer Aspire One will reboot shortly after. Wait patiently.

The BIOS has been flashed and all settings reset to default.

If for some reason you made a mistake during the procedure and it doesn't reboot by itself wait 5 minutes before turning it off, just to be safe that it isn't still flashing the BIOS.

Server Recovery Tips

Data disasters will happen. Accepting that reality is the first step in preparing a comprehensive disaster plan. Time is always against an IT team when a disaster strikes, therefore the details of a disaster plan are critical for success.

Here are some suggestions from Ontrack Data Recovery engineers of what not to do when data disasters occur:

1. In a disaster recovery, never restore data to the server that has lost the data - always restore to a separate server or location.
2. In Microsoft Exchange or SQL failures, never try to repair the original Information Store or database files - work on a copy.
3. In a deleted data situation, turn off the machine immediately. Do not shut down Windows - this will prevent the risk of overwritten data.
4. Use a volume defragmenter regularly.
5. If a drive fails on RAID systems, never replace the failed drive with a drive that was part of a previous RAID system - always zero out the replacement drive before using.
6. If a drive is making unusual mechanical noises, turn it off immediately and get assistance.
7. Have a valid backup before making hardware or software changes.
8. Label the drives with their position in a RAID array.
9. Do not run volume repair utilities on suspected bad drives.
10. Do not run defragmenter utilities on suspected bad drives.
11. In a power loss situation with a RAID array, if the file system looks suspicious, or is unmountable, or the data is inaccessible after power is restored, do not run volume repair utilities.

HP Recovery

Press the Power button to start the PC, and then press the F11 key when the standard BIOS prompts are displayed on the black screen.
NOTE:

Pressing the f11 key during the startup on a computer with an HP factory image will start the system recovery process even if the prompt is not displayed.
If the HP Recovery Manager can access the recovery partition on the hard drive, a prompt to backup the user files before beginning the recovery is displayed. Follow any on-screen instructions.
If the HP Recovery Manager cannot access the hard drive to fix any system errors, you will need to use the personalized recovery disc that you created to recover the hard drive to its original condition.
If you have not created the personalized recovery disc, or the discs are corrupted, you can order a replacement recovery disc from HP.
When the Recovery Manager starts, follow the step-by-step recovery instructionsshown above.



Resolving a common recovery issue.
If the original operating system is changed to a non-Vista OS, the Recovery Manager cannot be launched from either the desktop or by pressing the f11 key on startup. You can use the recovery disc to restore the computer to the original operating condition in Vista. If using an non-Vista OS, you can use a third-party partition manager program to reclaim the hard drive space.

Vista Startup Repair: FAQ

What is Startup Repair?

Startup Repair is a Windows Vista recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. When you run Startup Repair, it scans your computer for the problem and then tries to fix it so your computer can start correctly.

Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows Vista installation disc. If your computer manufacturer has preinstalled recovery options, Startup Repair might also be installed on your hard disk. If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.

How do I use Startup Repair?

If you have a Windows Vista installation disc, you need to restart (boot) your computer using the installation disc. If you do not restart your computer from the disc, the option to repair your computer will not appear.

If you have a Windows Vista installation disc:

1. Insert the installation disc.
2. Restart your computer.
Click the Start button , click the arrow next to the Lock button, and then click Restart.
3. If prompted, press any key to start Windows from the installation disc.

Note:
If your computer is not configured to start from a CD or DVD, check the information that came with your computer. You may need to change your computer's BIOS settings. For more information, see BIOS: frequently asked questions.
4. Choose your language settings, and then click ,Next.
5. Click Repair your computer.
6. Select the operating system you want to repair, and then click Next.
7. On the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair. Startup Repair might prompt you to make choices as it tries to fix the problem, and if necessary, it might restart your computer as it makes repairs.

If Startup Repair is a preinstalled recovery option on your computer:

1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.
Click the Start button , click the arrow next to the Lock button, and then click Restart.
2. Do one of the following:
* If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold
the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows
logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you will need to try again by
waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and
restarting your computer.
* If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys
to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and then press & hold F8.
3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer, and then press ENTER. (If Repair your computer is not listed as an option, then your computer does not include Startup Repair as a preinstalled recovery option.)
4. Select a keyboard layout, and then click Next.
5. Select a user name and enter the password, and then click OK.
6. On the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair. Startup Repair might prompt you to make choices as it tries to fix the problem and, if necessary, it might restart your computer as it makes repairs.

Are there problems that Startup Repair cannot fix?
Start up Repair cannot fix hardware failures, such as a failing hard disk or incompatible memory, nor does it protect against virus attacks. Startup Repair is not a backup tool, so it cannot help you recover personal files, such as photos or documents. To help protect your computer, back up your system and files regularly. For more information, search for "backup" in Windows Help and Support.

Start up Repair is not designed to fix Windows installation problems. For more information, see Troubleshoot Windows installation problems.

What if Startup Repair can't fix my problem?
If repairs are not successful, you'll see a summary of the problem and links to contact information for support. Your computer manufacturer might include additional assistance information.

Windows XP and Vista Product Key Recovery

Run regedit. Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > Software > Microsoft > Windows NT > Current Version.

In the right window, double-click on DigitalProductID. This is the entry that contains the encoded product key.

We want the information in bytes 52 to 66. You can use the chart below for reference. We need the 15 sets of numbers where the 1’s are located.

0000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ..
0008 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ..
0010 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ..
0018 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ..
0020 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ..
0028 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ..
0030 00 00 00 00 11 11 11 11 ..
0038 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 ..
0040 11 11 11 00 00 00 00 00 ..
0048 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ..
0050 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ..

Now that you have the 15 byte encrypted code, you can type it into my decrypter tool without spaces:

Web-based version
Windows XP/Vista Key Decrypter Tool

Download stand-alone version (exe)
Windows XP/Vista Key Decrypter Tool

Just click ‘Decrypt Code‘ and you will have your 25 digit Windows XP/Vista product key!