I looked at the site but could not find it i386 repair install but found another site covering it. However, I called the shop I go to get my computer fixed and they gave me a WinXPsp3 disk. I then did a recovery but the horizontal bar graph did not appear in the recovery. Before that I did a SFC command. I was able to read my original WinXpsp2 disk from Safe Mode. However all of the other problems remain.
I think the best thing for me to do now is to clean up my system with a Repair-install via the WinXpSp3 disk, then get Win7, and start VM Player, as I talked it over with the shop. I did the Repair install last summer and I recollect that it kept my programs intact. However all updates will be lost so I have to get Win7 and load updates. I still have a TB USB drive I have not re-installed yet since I moved which could be a security risk. Do you have any suggestions?