Aspire 7551-5358 failing to start...?

When booting up the laptop it goes to the windows loading screen then I am receiving the following message.

"Windows has encountered a problem communicating with a device connected to your computer.

This error can be caused by unplugging a removable storage device such as an external USB drive while the device is in use, or by faulty hardware such as a hard drive or CD-ROM drive that is failing. Make sure any removable storage is properly connected and then restart your computer.

If you continue to receive this message, contact the hardware manufacture.

file: \boot\bcd

Status: 0xc00000e9

Info: An unexpected I/O error has occurred. "

I have had no external USB device plugged in. i am basically wondering if any one can help me out with what I'm looking at here. Am I screwed? The computer is almost 4 years old so I am hesitant to put any money towards it. Thanks in advance.