How can I get my files off of my computer?

My computer won't start all the way, I get a message saying that there is an error with the software; it's the "Load needed dlls for Kernel" message. I found an article that said if I used the AVG Recovery Cd that it would allow me to remove whatever infections that my computer has and then it would start normally and I could back up my files. I ran the AVG Cd, did the scan, removed the infections, restarted the computer, and it still gives me the "Load needed dlls for Kernel" message. I have files on the computer that I want to save so I am not looking for information on how to re-format my computer, I am trying to find out how to access my files so that I can save them to a USB drive BEFORE I re-format, I have someone who knows how to re-format the computer but they do not know how to recover my files off of the hard-drive.