backing up files from crashed XP

refer to my previous question 20271516. I can now only access my computer by booting from the original XP cd. This gives me 2 options - repair previous setup or install xp over previous version. I am loathe to carry out the latter until I have backed up some files such as photos, internet downloads including music etc plus my e-mail and address book. I can get to a dos-type black screen from which certain commands can be run. If I try to change directory to the folders that I want to backup I get the message "access denied". If I use the map command it shows me floppy drive, hard disk and 2 cd drives but does not show my iomega external zip drive. My question is how do I get around the "access denied" message even though I am supposedly the administrator and fed in the null password and in addition how do I go about being able to copy the files I want to back-up to either the zip drive or a cd writable disk. If necessary I can replace the cd rom drive with another hard drive for copying. Once I have the files backed up I can maybe re-install windows XP to get my computer up and running again.
cheers, Pete

Solution: backing up files from crashed XP

There's no reason you can't install xp over itself and preserve/fix
you original install.

Depending on your hardware options, you can use a win9x boot disk and use the copy command to copy files to another disk.