BleepingComputer.com: recovery console has unexpected logon option: MiniNT

Hello,

Basic issue: Reboot Loop, unable to access any safe mode, last known, etc... so my only option is recovery console from CD
FYI - F8 shows two installs - one for Media Center and one for XP.

This is an HP Desktop with a recovery partition in place. Before the reboot loop the system was in perfect working order without any issues. I believe that it may be malware from having visited video-on-demand sites.

When I get to recovery console (from CD), the only option for log on is MiniNT, despite there being a proper XP install present.
My concern is that I don't want to harm the recovery partition's files in any way (in case I need it in the future, and it's not my machine) I'm assuming here that the MiniNT IS in fact the recovery system. Am I correct?

I was planning on using recovery console to repair the boot.ini, mbr, kernel and to run chkdsk - "the works" - since the stop error (0xED - unmountable boot volume) indicates faulty disk or filesystem.

I can mount and read the NTFS system fine from a LiveCD without issue. I suspect that its the NT kernel that has been corrupt since the rest of the filesystem seems fine.

Can I repair the kernel on the installed XP by logging in to the MiniNT with recovery console?

Thanks in advance

This post has been edited by igor47: 19 January 2010 - 10:54 PM

"unmountable boot volume" error usually means hard drive issue.

Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.

NOTE. If your hard drive is made by Toshiba, unfortunately, you're out of luck, because Toshiba doesn't provide any diagnostic tool.

I have it from a reliable source....that Hitachi's Drive Fitness will work for Toshiba Hard Drives...Thanks Louis...

Personally, I tried all possible scanners on couple of Toshibas....never had a luck to make them run.