Vista machine into a usable DOS prompt?
 

My machine has decided not to boot up .. fails with an error regarding hardware or software,

Vista recovery wont do it, I want to have a go at copying the broken file from another PC but need to be able to access the command line. Problem is my drives are all SATA so the programs I've used so far wont sort it !

I also do not have a floppy drive so it needs to be a bootable CD ..

I dont want to lose all my files.. emails etc

for anyone that cares .. I got to the prompt via the recovery option on the vista dvd. Then I deleted the offending file.. it still failed but this time it left me use last working option

Google Ultimate Boot CD may be something on it that can help you out. Other than that aint got a clue

Nah ita crap with Vista .. its sorted now just need to do a clean install once I'm backed up

the UBCD live one is based on barts PE which is built with XP. You need a live cd based on Vista or WinPE 2.0/2.1 depending if SP1 intergrated.

have a look at Active@ Boot Disk. Bootable LiveCD. Backup, Data Recovery, Disk Eraser & more...

or for more flexibility but more time involved have a look at Boot Land with the winbuilder project:)