Error Code 2000-0141

Problem with my Dell Inspiron E1505 laptop.  Well, I think I broke it but since I don't have $$ for new anything right now I thought I'd turn here first for help.  I'm not the most computer savvy person on the planet but with help from here I was able to fix my desk top PC that had bad memory modules & use Dell PC restore.   

Background: I got a little testy when a website was loading VERY slowly & I hit the Enter button a couple of times & then slammed my hand on the keyboard.  Everything froze at that point so I pushed the on/off button.  When I turn it on now, it goes to the "Dell" logo screen, hangs a bit (the white line under the logo doesn't quite go to the end) and then a black screen comes on with white letters & following message:

     No bootable devices -- strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup Utility,
     Press F5 to run onboard diagnostics.

F1 -  get same message

F2 - goes to set up utility - don't like messing with this since I am not real sure what I am looking at

F5 - PSA+Pre-Boot System Assessment: System passes but hard drive fails with the following message in a gray box with blue line at the top with "Error"
   

Error code 0141
Msg: Error code 2000-0141
Msg: No Drive detected

     The given error code & message can be used by Dell Tech Support to help diagnose the problem.    
Do you want to continue testing?  Yes   No   Retry

I've searched the Dell Support site for info on this & some of the links go to "page not found" or something like that (maybe because my laptop is so old).  What I do get is basically to reset the hard drive.  Before doing that I tried running diagnostics from the CD provided with my computer.  Everything Passed. 

This morning I decided to try resetting the hard drive using directions from Dell. I removed the battery, & power plug.  Found where the hard drive was, pulled it out, looked it over (removed a cat hair - carefully) & reinserted hard drive.  Replaced the battery, plugged it in and tried to turn it on.  Still can't get past the Dell logo.  One thing I realized is the two screws the directions said to remove are missing - would this have an effect now?  Never noticed a problem before.  Can they be replaced?  Is my hard drive toast?  Can I recover the stuff on it?  I am a couple of months behind on backing it up but planned on doing it this weekend - Figures?

I am at a loss on what to do next.  Internet searches point to failed hard drive or just loose connections.  No I don't have an extra hard drive to test.   I am trying to "nurse" this laptop as long as possible as I am a college student-graduating this May so I am short on funds.  I appreciate suggestions.  Please include step by step instructions & pictures if possible (I like to see examples so I know I am doing it right) OR links.  I am trying to do as much of this myself to save money.  At the most, I can get a new hard drive from Dell for around $50.  But is that my only option?  How do I recover data from my old hard drive - is it possible?  Should I suck it up and find someone to look at it for me? 

Dell Inspiron E1505
Windows XP Service pack 3
Memory: 2 gigs
Hard drive: 80 gigs

Let me know if you need additional information.

Thanks