The files may be beyond rescue if Ubuntu can't access it. Did you try with Read only? Not much you can do with it in RO mount but it might prove /disprove whether there is any hope of reading the drive.
You might also try a hard reset then try again.Shut down the laptop. Remove power cord & battery.Press power button 30 seconds to dispel any residual power. Reinstall power cord only & try to start up. If it fails put the Ubuntu cd in and try booting from it again.