Freezing at boot and not recognizing files

Looking for some advice. I have a Toshiba Satellite Laptop that has run great for me for 2-3 years. All of the sudden, when I turn the laptop on, it will not allow me to type in a name and password at the initial screen. I have been able to start in safe mode and here is where I am really confused. If I attempt to open excel, it opens the base page in excel, but will not load a file. If I try and open a file by clicking on a file name, the computer just hangs. I can however, get on the internet and attach my files to an email. I have opened these email attachments in another computer and the files are fine. Where should I start?

 

Good question, I'd start by trying to save any files I need first, assuming you don't have back-ups already.

The "initial screen" is the one in XP I take it?

Have you got recovery CD/DVD's for this laptop? because I think you're going to need them

 

Yeah, the initial screen is the one in XP. Brilliantly, I have not created back ups, and I cannot save my files on the computer. I am attempting to email them all to open them at a later date. I do have recovery CD's.