Help! Windows XP

[mcdole001]

A series of unfortunate events (trying to download from Microsoft)caused serious performance issues with XP Home.

I ended up trying to reinstall Windows XP Home.

I booted from the XP disc and it gave me the option to repair. I chose this, but it seemed nothing happened. I then restarted and chose the setup option. It gave me the option of deleted a partition highlighted, but I did not. It went ahead with the install, but when window launched I initially panicked, because I did not see my old files. However, when I went into the hard drive, all the files and programs were there (My documents, Program Files folder), they just don't show up in the start menu, etc.
Can I save these files?

Also, when I restart, it gives me the option of starting one of two different OS. I chose the second and it started going through the install again. Could this be the original repair I tried to do and if so may I go ahead and continue it and then get rid of the other installation?

I have not had to do this before, and I am frustrated and feeling rather inept.

 

[Osiris]

go to start, run, type msconfing, go to boot.ini tab, click on check all boot paths, click yes to remove the invalid one, reboot. Then we will work on the next issue

 

[mcdole001]

Excuse my ignorance, but should I remove the one that takes me to windows or the one that starts through what I think is the repair install?

 

[Osiris]

there should be on that is invalid, what did it sat when you did that?