It just boots and boots and boots again

no it's not on external drive, that would be just too smart.

i tried booting in every possible mode there is - safe, safe with networking, with command prom, VGA, ....about 10 different ways. no take.

i'll take it apart

Bonus points if you put it together and have extra parts left over.

Wow, that thing is old. But it has USB 1.1. Buy a USB key, put some kind of linux rescue distribution on it. I think knoppix has a USB version (make sure you get enough storage). If it can boot to said USB drive (might want to borrow someone else's unless you'd find it handy), you can rescue your files. Note: you'll want to use ethernet to connect to the intertubes so you can avoid having to know how to get networking working w/ linux.

That is, if you haven't torn it apart yet .

She has torn it apart. I witnessed the destruction. I was part of the cover-up. Oh! The deceit!

i put it in a non-descript envelope and took it out with trash today. my boss will never know.