Ntldr is compressed-reset to endless loop

Hello, I'm not really sure how it happened, my computer is stuck with this message ntldr is compressed alt,controll,delete to restart. Its an older emachine I've got one windows upgrade disk xp home, one of two emachine disks-only gives the desructive/non destuctive option and does not restore anything. The windows disk leaves me at a point where I can push enter, start, or f3- but my keyboard shuts off when the screen comes up, I don't know why. I've figured on opening this c prompt window but don't know what to put on there. I've downloaded many programs on my thumb drives and dosent seem to work at all.
I was told at frys to get a new hard drive and a new tower at staples,
I would reallly appreiceate some help before I give myself a hernia screming at the computer, thanxs