Holiday

O crud, lOOks like Holiday screwed up. HELP ME! I tried to install Linux, now windows does not boot correctly

My friend gave me Mandrake Linux PowerPake Edition v8.1
So I boot from the disk hit enter to install, it does a bit then stops, it said

VFS: Cannot open root device "ram3" or 01:03
Please append a correct "root=" boot option
Kernel panic: Unable to mount root fs on 01:03

So I said for get it, took Linux out restarted comp, Windows got to the point wear it says windows xp is loading and it just froze I had to do a cold shut of turned it back on it gave me the option of booting up in safe mode\boot windows normally\ boot with last known good configuration, I tried them all and to no success. Maybe it was just a coincidence with trying to install Linux

system specs:

HP pavilion a375c

Win XP Home SP2
3.00 GHz Intel Pentium 4 Processor With HT
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
512 SDRAM (256x2)
160GB HD + 250GB HD
SONY Double Layer DVD Writer
HP DVD+R\RW DVD Writer
Analog Capture Card
LCD 19" Flat panel
HP 2410 Photosmart

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OS: Win Vista Ultimate
3.00 GHz Intel Pentium 4 Processor With HT
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
1536MB(1.5GB) DDR PC2700 RAM 2x256+2x512
500GB WD HD + 250GB Maxtor HD + 160GB HD
BLASTER Live! 24.bit 96kHz/100dB SNR HD
SONY Double Layer DVD Writer DRU-720A
HP DVD+R\RW DVD Writer
LCD 19" Flat panel f1903