In reply to lost1977:
My general view of this sort of thing is that once Windows starts going wrong, it keeps going wrong, and re-install is the only way.. It also depends on the error. What's the actual error you are getting?
1) (easiest) pull the drive out of the current machine and use another machine to copy the files you need to a safe place (either with a external enclosure or stuff it in the othre machine as a second drive), then re-install.
2) Have you got a way of transferring off files? USB stick or similar?
If so download a Linux live install disk (this basically loads the OS into RAM) and run, transfer files over (either the corrupt file or the files you want to keep), then do a clean install of XP.
You could also use ths method to burn files to CD/DVD.
This obviously assumes you've got another computer to download things. Or get a mate to do it..
3) New partition - you've already mentioned this.
4) Get hold of an old HDD - or use this opportunity to buy the huge mulit-terrabyte drive you've always wanted, new install on that, install the old HDD as a second drive, pull the files off.