You might give these steps a try before you try to dos copy files.
Boot to the dos prompt (f8) again and type:
c:\ scanreg / fix
More guidance if you need it at ...
http://cybercoyote.org/computer/scanreg.htm
Then reboot. If that doesn't fix the problem, then boot again to the
c:\ prompt and type:
c:\ scanreg /restore
Pick a file date JUST BEFORE you had this recent problem. If that
doesn't fix the problem, then post this message for additional
guidance.
>we do not have a boot disk, only get windows blue clouds
>but can get to DOS by hitting f-8. How do I copy files
>(quicken & word) from DOS and load to xp? Thanks, src