BAP,
Like V-golf, "I have got to start reading ahead". lol!!!
Okay, it looks like you found the option on the windows 7 disk to repair startup and that and everything else on there did not work.
So, the question remains, is this the Windows XP 64 bit operating system on this computer????
Noting wrong with installing XP but if it is the XP 64 bit, make sure you use that disk.
also, when you boot to CD and let it run through to the point on install, it should ask you if you want to repair this operating system.
YES you do. This way it will not mess up your programs on your computer but will re-install your operating system with new files.
Does this make sense to you? I hope so!
the best,
micro....