Bizi,
there are programs that can "find & recover" your old files even after a format and OS reinstall.
I had to do it I used arax disk doctor {40 bucks ??bought online and downloaded - was worth it}

What I did was buy a new hard drive and install my XP on it and made it my main hd-
then I recover and saved files from the old one.
scan them for any bad stuff first.
after all the files are recovered to the new drive
you format the old one and use it for a backup drive.

How old is your machine? maybe we can help you decide whether it's time for a new one or not...
brand, model - speed, ram etc -if you can link to the details on makers site it might be easiest. or the model number on the box -I can look it up.