Assistance needed to recover data from SATA hdd

I have a pc running VISTA that has died. All attempts to get this machine to start result in the BSOD with a message saying I have an UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME. I believe this means that the file system is corrupted.
I'm looking for some s/ware, (I'm being laid off soon so preferably freeware), that will allow me to access the disc and to either re-build the file system or which will allow me to explore & recover whatever data is still there.

The disk is a SAMSUNG 500Gb SATA, model HD501LJ.

Tech support for the pc manufacturer says I have two options
1 - take the hdd to a local technician and have the data recovered
2 - replace the hdd, re-install VISTA. Then, when I have a working system I should mount the original hdd and when it's recognised by the system I should be able to recover my own data.

Option 1 has been quoted as being at least £100 and gives me the following problems
- I must specify what data I want to recover. It's my wife's pc and I've no idea what's been placed where.
- I must leave the hdd with the 'local technician' for at least three days and they cannot start until Monday - my good lady needs the data now
- I really do not want to leave all my financial records & personal data with a stranger
I chose option 2 and have got as far as installing a new hdd, reloading VISTA and mounting the original hdd in an external USB drive unit.
My problem is that I cannot access the data under either VISTA or WIN XP.

Under XP the drive is recognised as a USB mass storage device, drive F, but I cannot get beyond this to see anything of the file structure.
Under VISTA any attempt to access the drive just seems to hang the o/s completely.
The nearest similar post I can see is dated 2005 & refers to some s/w called SPINRITE which costs $86. Are there any other recommended options that are more recent and, hopefully, cheaper?

 

Fortunately, UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME errors can usually be easily repaired. Boot to your Vista install disc and use the 'startup repair' option; I don't remember if booting into the Recovery Console is an option with a Vista disc. If it is, do that instead, and use the chkdsk command as follows: type chkdsk C: /r and press Enter. This will run disk error checking and will repair any file system problems found, and without any data loss. Running chkdsk can take some time, a looong time, especially if the hard drive is large, has lots of data, and hasn't been defragged in a while. So be patient; if you think chkdsk has locked up, it hasn't, just wait. If you see the progess percentage counter go backward, don't worry, it happens and is somewhat normal. So just let the process finish... do NOT restart the PC or power down in mid-chkdsk! Doing so can result in a drive that's even more messed up than it is now, and may result in data loss.... good luck!!!!!!

[dlb]

(note- the command chkdsk C: /r has a space before and after the C: and will not work if the spaces are left out)

 

CHKDSK did not work for me.
Resorted to buying a new hdd which I swapped into the pc & onto which I reloaded VISTA & all apps.
Put old hdd into a usb external drive bay (Asaka Integral - dead easy to set up - recommend it, espcially as it takes IDE & SATA drives)
Used FILE SCAVENGER 3.2 on an old XP machine and got back all I needed to fully recover VISTA