it might be that the SET command has not been initiated in your recovery console, but with xp this can only be done from within windows
below courtesy of Jose Ibarra:
Sure you can copy files to a USB drive from the Recovery Console using the SET command
, but you have to set your system up beforehand while it is still functional to enable the SET command in the RC.
Also, you can't navigate to personal folders like My Documents from RC - unless you set your system up to allow the SET command in advance too, then you can navigate all over the place.
None of this will help the OP (use Hiren's or the Tech-Geek method), so it is just FYE!
If you have your system configured to allow the SET command, then from the RC, you would then issue these commands:
set AllowRemovableMedia = TRUE
set allowallpaths = TRUE
If you do not have the security policy set up to allow the SET command you will see a message like this:
The SET command is currently disabled. The SET command is only an option Recovery Console command that can only be enabled by using the the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in...
There are two RC security options I like to always enable through a normal boot by adjusting the registry (default is DISabled):
From the security policy (or registry), you can also tell XP not to require a password for the RC. This is handy for when people can't get past that part when entering RC - you can make the registry adjustment using something like Hiren's, then they won't get asked for a password.
==================
https://www.experts-exchange.com/qu...t-Command-in-Windows-XP-Recovery-Console.html
the above thread, third reply, shows how to activate the set command (which will allow wildcards such as the ~ ). you can boot to hiren's or you may be able to do this from the Knoppix