Can't complete windows XP repair after HD move

Hi All,

After a PSU failed and took my motherboard with it, I decided to build a new system and move my hard drive. Of course XP wouldn't boot. Since I didn't have an XP disc on hand (old system came with XP preloaded), I purchased Vista figuring I might be able to do an in-place upgrade (i could use 64-bit anyways). This didn't work as the Vista upgrade demanded to be started from within windows.

So...I downloaded a clean version of XP w/ bittorrent and attempted a repair install. This seemed to go fine until setup restarted to complete the installation. Now XP restarts automatically on the loading screen and if I start in safe mode, I get the message "Windows XP Setup cannot run under Safemode."

Of course I know I could do a clean install on a new drive, but I have a huge amount of programs (some not replaceable) installed on the first drive and would like to avoid this if possible. Any ideas out there?

Give this a read and do a full install of vista.
http://www.windowssecrets.com/comp/070201

Also for that error dont worry about it right now because the above should sort it out.
With vista it is best to do a full install anyway and usually a good format is best.
Does that drive have anything on it that you need.
If it does it may be a good idea to have a friend put in his computer as a slave drive and get what you want and then put vista together.

resolution:

parallel xp installation, moved off files
vista upgrade not possible (32->64 not possible, should've known)
vista clean install, kissed some of my apps goodbye