how do I recover stored files when access to hard drive is failing?

[claire]

The latest worm virus had made my hard drive inaccessable
because of a missing system file. I do have a copy of XP
home version but need to know how to recover my files
without reformatting everything and erasing things. When
I insert the disk, it gives me three options (while
starting from the disc) 1: to set up windows XP now, press
enter, 2: to repair a windows XP installation using
Recovery console, press R, or 3: to quit setup without
installing windows xp, press F3. Which one is the one to
chose in order to recover files....
PLEASE HELP ME!!! Thanks! Claire

 

[Malke]

The latest worm virus had made my hard drive inaccessable
because of a missing system file. I do have a copy of XP
home version but need to know how to recover my files
without reformatting everything and erasing things. When
I insert the disk, it gives me three options (while
starting from the disc) 1: to set up windows XP now, press
enter, 2: to repair a windows XP installation using
Recovery console, press R, or 3: to quit setup without
installing windows xp, press F3. Which one is the one to
chose in order to recover files....
PLEASE HELP ME!!! Thanks! Claire

You want to choose Set Up Windows Now. Setup will see your current
installation and ask if you want to Repair it. You say "yes" and that
is doing a Repair Install. You'll have to reinstall all the patches,
but your files should still be there. And then learn how to back up
your data and do it regularly.

Malke