Troubleshooting using Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset
Written by yaronmaor on November 23, 2008 – 12:00 am -
We have all been stuck between a rock and a hard place at one time or another…
Stuck staring blankly at a Windows machine that just won’t boot. I have been recommending this re-branded toolkit left and right recently so here is a little more information on it for you guys:
This nifty tool allows you to boot from a CD into a special diagnostics environment which enables you to:
- Fix boot problems (boot.ini/Chkdsk)
- Edit the Registry offline
- Change Services/Drivers startup state
- Restore to an earlier Restore Point even if Windows fails to start in Safe-Mode
- Reset the administrator password (or any other account)
- Easily remove malware & viruses while scanning the system offline
- Recover lost data while the system is offline (undelete files, folders or partitions)
The tool fully supports TCP/IP networking for sharing folders and remote troubleshooting.
The environment partially-supports running other Windows applications for Virus cleaning, un-deleting files and more. Most applications that will work flawlessly are the one that designed to run without installation and no run-time libraries (.Net framework, etc.)
The original name of the product is “ERD Commander” from Winternals. Microsoft bought the company and now calls that same product by the name:
The download link above is for a fully-featured 30-days evaluation version of the product. this application is intended for Enterprise IT Professionals (as a Volume Licensing Extra).
I recommend on playing with it inside a Virtual PC/VMware workstation. you will be thankful that you’ve heard about this tool on your next BSOD!
Note that this product officially support the Windows 2000/XP systems only (although it can be used for any other version too…)
Enjoy!
Tags: Free, Troubleshooting, windows
Posted in Admin's Arsenal, How To |





By Crzeeate on Dec 14, 2008 | Reply
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By Sudha on Jan 6, 2009 | Reply
Hi
i’m interested to know the application of this tool to rectify a booting error.The error says
“Windows cannot start because the following file is missing or corrupt.
\system 32\hal.dll ”
can this tool be used.If so,can you give a step by step of how.I’ve already used the CD to boot from my laptop and copied all data.
I’d apreciate all helpin this regard.
Thanks and regards
Sudha
Karl L. Gechlik | AskTheAdmin.com Reply:
January 6th, 2009 at 9:34 am
You can try to use this to restore back to an earlier time otherwise you need to boot to a live cd that will allow you to edit the ntfs partition - copying the dll file back to the correct place will also resolve your issue.
How did it happen? Were you upgrading or installing something or was it a virus?
By Sudha on Jan 7, 2009 | Reply
It started with a malware problem.And then the boorting errors started.i’ve a Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop.It came with the Os preloaded.So,I don’t ‘ve any installation Cd.So,what elsean I do?
Cheers
sudha
Karl L. Gechlik | AskTheAdmin.com Reply:
January 8th, 2009 at 6:57 am
The machine should have also either came with a recovery cd or a recovery partition.