i have my original xp prof. copy, which i would like to copy because i am worried that my original will get damaged. which program can i use to make the copy? please help
There's a poultice of free cloning tools out there. You could try this one http://www.download.com/Easy-CD-Clone/3000-2242_4-10261807.html
which has a good rep but you can probably simply put the disk in, pick it up in Explorer and under "File" select (eg) Program D and select "Copy".
If you have Nero, just select "Copy Disc" in the StartSmart, put first the disk you want to copy from, then when you'll be asked to put the disk you want to copy to, just do that.