And starting in Safe mode?? Anyway assuming safe mode can't start..
The Master Boot Record could damaged ...or the disk itself is damaged ..pray its the former.
Get hold of a Linux live operating system (say Ubuntu or Suse - it runs from the CD/DVD without need to install), have a huge portable external hard drive ready.
Insert the Linux CD into the CD drive, cold start and immediately hold the F8 button to change the boot order (Optical drive is checked first for a boot loader, I am hoping your computer works like most - this step might also not be necessary)
Save your new boot sequence and continue the boot. The Linux OS from the CD should load.
Attach the external hard drive.
If your internal disk is not physically damaged, it will appear as a device in your temporary linux OS ..open the device and you should see your files (I don't know if you can see them in Windows 7), transfer your files to the external hard drive ...
I hope you recover all your files, all the best and good luck.