How can re install xp ?

[Mster]

My laptop was turned off half way though system restore now it gets to a point then locks,I have tryed recovery discs but also locks on them, I have a copy of xp, Can I just re install ? and ask it to repair, or do I have to reformat the hard drive (which I have never done) to install ?Also I am able to get in to the bios setup but I am very unsure what to do ? Please help

[j2buttonsw]

First, I would only use the BIOS to change the boot order so it boots from the CD first then the hard drive. This will allow a repair from the Windows XP CD which is bootable. I would then boot from the CD then try the repair without the recovery console by following these instructions: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm