Unknown partition error..

Hi guys,

CAn you please help me how to recover/fix with the unknown partition error.
Any recommended solution that wont allow me to format the said harddisk as i still have to make some backup some files stored in it.

Any software that could help me to atleast find my files and make a backup of it?

I have here a laptop,, how can this help?

When i boot the pc, it shows that windows xp but it doesnt continue to welcome windows xp..and then it will restart again automatically..

Setup says : Delete partition or format partition?

what i only have here is NTFS..

AnyHelp from you guys were so much appreciated..Hope i could get some as soon as possible.....thanks

nadz