Like NT Workstation, Windows 2000 professional does not offer fault tolerance. Only 2000 Server and higher.

• Recovery Console - Windows 2000 has a recovery console to help when you have trouble booting. The recovery console is not installed by default. Install the recovery console by running winnt32.exe /cmdcons from the I386 directory of the CD. You will now see an option to enter the Windows 2000 recovery console at boot up. (or it can be run by booting from the setup floppies or CD and choosing repair).
  The recovery console is limited to administrators (you will be authenticated when entering) and will allow you to do such things as:
  • Use, copy, rename or replace operating system files and folders.
  • Enable or disable services or devices from starting when you next start your computer.
  • Repair the file system boot sector or the Master Boot Record (MBR).
  • Create and format partitions on drives.
  You are fairly restricted as to what you are able to do. You can't throw files on a floppy or removable media, only copy them to the hard drive from the floppy or removable media.

  The bare DOS environment is often useful in accessing files in partitions formatted in FAT. On the other hand, files in an NTFS partition cannot be accessed from DOS. When you have problem in an NTFS volume, the standard method to repair the disk is to load the Recovery Console. Even if you have a FAT-based system disk for an NT/2000/XP system, fixing the MBR and the boot sector needs the Recovery Console. The Emergency Repair Disk (ERD) is useful only when you establish the Recovery Console (or the Emergency Repair Session).

  It is a good idea that you should go through the Recovery Console at least once while your WinNT/2000/XP system is in good health.

• Emergency Repair Disk (ERD) - If your system will not start, and using safe mode (or possibly the Recovery Console) has not helped, you can try the Emergency Repair Disk option, which is part of Windows 2000 Backup.
  Always maintain a current Windows 2000 Emergency Repair Disk (ERD) for each server

  Windows 2000 Backup includes a wizard that helps you create an Emergency Repair Disk. If a system failure occurs, you can start the system with the Setup CD-ROM or floppy disks you created from the CD-ROM, and then use the Emergency Repair Disk to restore core system files.

  Windows 2000 ERD's are created through the backup program (you will see an option to create an ERD on the Welcome tab). RDISK (from NT4.0) is no longer available. The repair process will attempt to repair system files, the partition boot sector on your system disk, and your startup environment if you have a dual boot system.

  By making an Emergency Repair Disk when your computer is functioning well, you'll be prepared to use it if you need to repair system files. The repairs possible with this method are limited to basic system repairs, including repair of the system files, partition boot sector, and startup environment. The Emergency Repair Disk does not back up data or programs, and is not a replacement for regularly backing up your system.

  To access a drive that has a faulty startup sequence, create a Windows 2000 startup disk. This disk can access a drive that has the NTFS, FAT16, or FAT32 file system installed. A Windows 2000 startup disk can help with the following startup problems:

  • Corrupted boot sector
  • Corrupted master boot record (MBR)
  • Virus infection
  • Missing or corrupted NTLDR or Ntdetect.com
  • Incorrect Ntbootdd.sys
  Note If your disk configuration involves mirrored volumes, and the primary volume of the mirror fails, you can still use a Windows 2000 startup disk to start Windows 2000. To do this, on the Windows 2000 Startup disk for that server, modify the Boot.ini file so that it points to the Windows 2000 folder on the volume that is still intact.

  Let's straighten out the difference between an ERD and a bootable floppy disk. An ERD is not bootable; it merely holds information about your configuration. You can use that data to reconstruct your configuration if it becomes corrupt.
  If the system won't boot from the hard drive, you have to find another way to get the computer up and running so the information on the ERD can be used. You can either use the first Windows NT installation disk (then use R for repair instead of installing the operating system again) or use a bootable floppy disk.

  Important When you complete Setup, information about your original system settings is saved in the systemroot\Repair folder on the system partition. If you use the Emergency Repair Disk to repair your system, the information in this folder might be used during the repair process. Do not change or delete this folder.

  To run the repair process, boot either from the Windows 2000 CD or from the setup floppies. Choose the 'repair or recover' option when prompted. Fast repair will attempt to repair everything, manual repair will allow you to choose.

  As an alternative approach, there is also a quick boot diskette. This is a bootable diskette that loads enough of a system to attempt recovery with the Recovery Console.

• Driver Signing - Microsoft digitally signs all drivers that are qualified to run with Windows 2000. You have the option to install only drivers that have been signed, see a warning when drivers haven't been signed so you can decide then, or never allow unsigned drivers to be installed. This can be set from control panel, system on the hardware tab.