Vista - Windows Boot Manager Error

I've been looking through the rest of the forum, and most everyone else has a specific thing they were trying to do when they got these problems. I don't! I really don't know how this happened.

Well, I was starting my computer this morning, but when I got to the log in screen, it just froze. I couldn't select anything. I restarted it, but this time it just took ages to turn on before finally reaching a screen with "Windows Boot Manager" at the top, telling me that there was an error most likely caused by some necessary equipment being unplugged from a USB port or something. Apparently, if I just plugged it back in and restarted the computer, I'd be fine, but I don't have any external stuff like that! There was an error code of some kind and what looked like a location, but I can't remember it. Now when I try and restart the computer, it doesn't get past the blue opening screen with the F# commands for advanced stuff. None of those will respond, and neither will any safe mode with F8.

So, what do I do? Is there a way to fix this without having to go through the manufacturer? If there isn't, will I at least be able to save my hard drive? If I can't save my hard drive, is there any way to salvage what's on it now without having to go to Best Buy or a computer repair outlet to get it all copied?

Any help would be appreciated. I'm sure this has already been answered somewhere on the forum, but I genuinely can't find any previous posts. Thanks!