Windows xp laptop won't boot

Hello,

My computer was fine at first and then it just shut down and when I tried to restart I get the Dell screen, and then a black screen with a blinking cursor on the top left hand corner. I tried unplugging the charger and removing the battery and holding down the power button because that used to work in the past, but it didn't this time. So I tried to do a reinstall of windows on my computer as well, but when it gets to the part where it restarts the computer to finish the setup, my computer goes right back to the black screen. It doesn't let me start in safe mode, when I hit f8 nothing happens. I can't lose all my files, I have all my wedding stuff on their with the guest list and addresses... I've looked on this site and plenty of others and haven't found anything. Someone please help!