Command line only boot mode for rescue and low memory situations

We have a CLI-shell boot mode, however, it proves insufficient for long-time-consuming maintenance operations on disk and the like because GUI subsystem still works. What I want is a CLI-only(be it feature-unlimited version of Windows XP SP2 recovery console or CMD.exe or EMS shell prompt) mode for these time consuming single-task maintenances, rescueing and extreme low memory situations when the even core OS cannot be installed but capable of having TUI-based setup program run and doing the first stage correctly.