My Ipad2 was ok but now unable to use keyboard/settings/e-mail, Internet connection is ok, can still open photos/music etc.

My ipad2 was working perfectly up until yesterday when the settings/keyboard/e-mail/safari will now not open, when you touch the respective icon it goes to open & then closes down, I can still open music/photo's.

My Internet connection is working correctly.

I don't want to use Apples suggestion to Restore iOS software to reset factory settings as I will lose all my photo's etc etc, I am in Crete at the moment and unable to back up.

Any suggestions?

Someone suggested holding down Home key together with on/off key and it all works ok now.