xp home boot problem

greetings!
I have xp home that wont get past the welcome screen. When I choose a user, it gives me the message that it’s saving settings, then goes back to the welcome screen

How can I get into system restore if I can’t get past the welcome screen?
Safe mode brings up welcome screen too, I tried that.
It is set to 1st boot from cd, but when I boot with mswindows cd, it sees cd, but doesnt boot to it.
Starts regularly and I’m right back to welcome screen.
How do I get past the welcome screen?
thank you!
bob- whtabtbobb@aol.com