Sounds as though you've pretty well corrupted your setup with the reinstall.
Before you do anything else, I strongly suggest you backup your data files
as you may ultimately have to wipe the drive and start over. That said,
once your backed up, try a repair install as follows. NOTE: at the point
where it asks if you wish to setup Windows or Repair the Installation, the
choice you want is "SETUP Windows," this will bring you to the option of
repairing your setup assuming it is repairable. If not, your best bet is to
continue to the point of setup that will allow you to delete the current
partition, create a new one, format the drive and reinstall XP which is why
I suggested above that you backup your data as you might be forced into this
situation and at the moment you may still have access to your files.
Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.
Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.
Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.
Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.
