Can't boot vista or start in safe mode

[pete-vt]

I try to boot my toshiba satellite laptop running vista 32. Not only does it
not boot it also does not allow me to get to the safe mode by selecting F8.

I get the following:
WIndows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the
cause. To fix the problem:
1. insert your windows installation disc and restart your computer.
2. choose your language settings, and then click "Next"
3. click "repair your computer"
:
:
File: \Boot\BCD
Status: 0xc000000f
Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data.


I have the Recovery and Applications/Drivers Media but booting from them the
only options available to me require a disk reformat...not something i'm
ready to do.

[Nonny]

When you are ready, do it.

Looks like you don't have a choice.

[Dave-UK]

Before you reformat have a look at this :
http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBC...r+from+the+DVD
..

[kevpan815]

Re-Format Your Computer And Install Open Source Linux Ubuntu 8.10 Long Term
Support, JUst FYI.