Anyone able to point me in the right direction? ACER ASPIRE LAPTOP WON'T START..

Hello,

I've recently purchased a 2nd hand laptop from my local pawn shop so that my children, ages 13 and 15 could partake in the homeschooling curriculum we have. However, about a week after we got it, my son attempted to power it up to begin his schooling, and it wouldn't (and still doesn't) boot past the windows screen.
I've not had a chance to back it up or create a recovery and I have absolutely no recovery disk.

Running Windows 7 home premium.

Please any suggestions, advise or assistance would be greatly appreciated as kids are currently behind on school assignments and classes...