whiterain,
Did you note the error code you received with the BSOD?
When you ran chkdsk did it correct many errors? If so your hard drive is possibly failing.
It would be worth checking the connections inside the computer but to do this you must shut it down.
You say you have no Start Menu. Do you have any icons on screen?
Explorer can be re-started by pressing Ctrl, Alt and Delete together, drop down the File menu in Task Manager and type Explorer into the box that appears then press Return. That may enable you to copy your files.