Hello. I have a few problems I need to work out. First, a little history:

Last week, I ran my disk defragmenter, and it froze on 98%. I thought nothing of it and turned my comp off. The following day, I booted my computer, and I got a blus screen saying windows could not recongnize the operating system. I figure it is because some of the crucial windows files were moved and corrupted because they were not saved. Well, anyways, I had the option to run it on safe mode or last previous working mode, but niether worked.

 

The first question is this:

Is there anyway I can get into my hard drive and save files before I reinstall windows?

 

The second question:

Do I have to use windows home, or can I use windows xp professional reinstallation CD? I tried it, but the installation never completes(the Pro edition). When I try to boot the comp up now, I get an error that says I am missing the file "windows/inf/biosinfo/inf". I tried the pro edition because I can't find the home edition CD at the moment.

 

Last question:

I read that dell dimensions made after july 15, 2004 have a built in system restore. I try to hit ctrl and f11 at the same time and release them together, but it never works. The title screen comes on in about 3 secs, so I don't really have enough time to do it correctly. I think I am doing it right, however, nothing comes up. How can I tell how old my comp is? It is a Dimension 4200C.

 

That should be all the questions I have for now.
Thank you.