Won't boot

[Lee]

Hello I have a lap top and it will not boot up. (i'm
using windows xp)
I get an error message that reads: media fialure : check
cable.
What does this mean?


I don't want to lose the information on the hard drive,
therefore if I can avoid wiping the hard drive I will.

I don't have the recovery disk available to me. Is it a
necessaity that I have it? if so can I download it from
microsoft.

any assistance would be good

Kindest regards

Lee

please reply to my e-mail if any one can help