http://www.livecdlist.com/?pick=All&sort=Purpose&sm=0

This page has a lot of links to live boot iso's.

The first I tried wouldn't mount ntfs writable. I'm currently d/loading the knoppix iso. While that takes it's time, does any one have a sure fire choice of "live boot iso" for being able to mount an ntfs partition truly read/write?

EDIT:
dang! be sure to disable reload every when composing a post.

Anyway, the knoppix rescue live boot worked. It was even kind enough to suggest I run fixntfs when my attempt to mount the ntfs partition rw, failed for errors.

That plus this kb article got my lappy back on line. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/