the recovery console is actually the first option you can choose in the setup. It will look something like this:
Enter = Continue R = Repair F3 = Quit
Make sure you press R at the first selection screen and then press '1' to choose to work with the Windows XP installation. When asked for the password for Administrator, enter it in otherwise just press the enter key. From there it will give you a screen that just says 'C:\_' make sure you type the following just as it is shown: CHKDSK /p. This will attempt to repair any serious errors found on the partition tables. (There are also other options as far as ways to repair the XP installation but i'll let someone else show that trick.) Afterwards reboot and if you still have problems booting up into windows XP it's time to talk recovery options. (retrieving and backing up for a clean reinstall.)
Regards,
Jon