Custom boot CDs help fix Windows disasters

[Stephanie Small]

PERIMETER SCAN Custom boot CDs help fix Windows disasters By Ryan Russell What do you do when your PC won't load Windows — or it loads, but you're locked out? Panic is the first thing that comes to mind. But a better alternative is to create custom boot CDs to access your files and recover lost passwords. The full text of this column is posted at WindowsSecrets.com/2010/04/22/05 (paid content, opens in a new window/tab). Columnists typically cannot reply to comments here, but do incorporate the best tips into future columns.

[David.WS.Hutton]

A seeming no-Windows disaster easily solved:
I've found recently that Windows would not start, but I am shown a blank black screen with a flashing cursor.
However, if I remove my Orange broadband dongle that I left plugged in to the USB port last night, I can restart OK.

[PeterJC]

I have often used the 'ultimate Boot CD' or UBCD. It has many useful tools including a password reset program.

[roddan]

I have often used the 'ultimate Boot CD' or UBCD. It has many useful tools including a password reset program.

If you have a Windows Disk, you can make a UBCD4Win boot disk, which will boot to Windows from the CD. It has multiple programs including a password reset. You don't have to use Linux command line to do things. You have file management available, and can reset your registry if machine won't boot to Windows. I downloaded the BackTrack program mentioned in the article, and I think that UBCD4Win is much better.