Loading Operation System

At present, I have a screen that keeps saying 'error loading operating system'. To start I had Wn98se, installed WnXP Pro. The files and settings transer wizard did it's thing copying but didn't work upon install. I have 98 start up disk .. but nothing for the XP. (Was having trouble with update downloads / installs from micro.) but over all the system was working fine. I have Norton 05 Premier / goback if I can get to it. I just installed a new hard drive, 'Steup' had identified hd but I never got windows to open. Can't say that I know what happened,, seems to me that it asked about partitions. I do not understand much about that, never have changed or used. My guess, they work like seperators on task bar?? Next I think it wanted to install OS, I figured okay, but why?, it should already have XP on it (old drive) I left old as primary. Then it got to where it was saying it would 'format'. Wait a minute, I know enough to know I'd lose everything, so I rebooted. I've tried a number of time to see if I missed something. I finely decided to open the pc, disconnect the new drive and get back on track. I've tried the 'F8', pays no attention to that. I thought if I could get in to safe mode, I could use my 'GoBack' - which would clear out mistakes or whatever is causing trouble.

I can get a screen that asks if I want to boot from ST32 (my old), from CD-Rom, floppy and SCSI (whatever that is?). I've tried the hd, still get the error. I dont have any start up devices (was waiting to make -trble with the updates yet). So I put my WnXP disk in and same error,, but if I fool around with it (time it just right) I can get it to where it wants to install. "Welcome to setup" it can set up xp. Gives me a partition that looks like what I'd expect my hd to look like, scary part is the free space is the same amount. Have option of 8MB space, that won't work,, tried it . So I'm brave and hit in stall on what I think is my old hard drive. I then get told it has to "format",that's such a nasty word. I have not gone any further. I have a choice of NTFS / 32,, old was 32. Before I go further is there a floppy / disc / download / a tool, that I could purchase to get into safe mode? I thought I'd give my old 98 Norton Rescue floppy a try - nope, but I got what loked like dos prompt. I just didn't know how to move from the A:> to a command that would get me into safe mode. Or better yet, my WNXP I had running. I read here that there wasn't any problem with using NTFS and 32 on same pc. I'm wondering if I have to should I pull the old hd connection (just to be sure), install the new hd get it up and running and then later come back to transferring what I want. OR because my old was 32, stick with 32, and not set myself up for more problems?? I have a full back up on CD of my old HD, would there be anything there I could use to get back into safe. Sorry I'm not better at this,, if I were I'd probably not be in this mess. Could it be I have a bad XP? They been trying to clear up the 'update' thing but nothing has worked.