Hurn it is the usual 'cheapo' partition job. I made a 'rescue' set of CDROMs on purchase. I also have my 'pukka' XP CDROM and have asked here before about just installing that - and been warned of all sorts of potential probs with drivers etc.
I'll have a shufti at the processor as a start!
EDIT to add: Hopefully good news! 
I have an Intel Celeron