Memo to self: read the whole thread before replying. Nevertheless, failure to install SP2 for this long on a PC running Windows, with it's terrible security problems, is just asking for trouble.
To rescue your data, use another machine with your trashed drive slaved in as a second drive. Any competent computer technician could do that for you in less than an hour.
After rescuing the data, take a Windows CD - it needs to be the same version as the one you hold a liccence for, there are only 4 (XP Home & Pro, both in OEM and upgrade = 4 in total) - wipe the drive, and install off that. Be sure to use your own product key number.
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