Go to Start>run... type in chkdsk /f , click OK
Since you're in Windows, you'll get a prompt which will ask if you want to run at next startup... just type "y", then restart your machine.
Dell's recovery disk is "normally" a full version XP install disk. This means if you put it in the CDrom, you will should the Windows Install Interface which will give you several options... such as Install Windows, Browe CD, etc. If chkdsk doesn't work, then you can try running sfc /scannow from the run command. You may need your Windows disk, so don't run it if you don't have it. Try chkdsk first to see if it helps.
If that doesn't help, send you computer to my house in California!

