windows xp

Simply speaking, you can't have it all.
Your options:
1. Repair install - your data, drivers are safe; most programs installed by YOU will have to be reinstalled.
2. Clean install, using recovery disk, or recovery partition - you have to backup your data, all programs installed by YOU will be gone as well; all programs and drivers, which came with the computer will be there
3. Clean install with Windows CD - same as #2, plus you'll have to reinstall some drivers.

can I make another partition on the drive and install it then copy everything from one partition to the other if possible ?

or create shortcuts on the desktop of the new partition from the other partition that has all the files ?

can I make another partition on the drive and install it then copy everything from one partition to the other if possible ?

Possible, but you'd have to use some partition manager tool, so you don't lose your data.

or create shortcuts on the desktop of the new partition from the other partition that has all the files ?

No.

so what are your recommendations on how to do this using what programs ?

Partitioning tools:

* not free
- Norton PartitionMagic: http://www.symantec..../partitionmagic

* free
- EASEUS Partition Manager: http://www.partition-tool.com/
- Partition Logic: http://partitionlogic.org.uk/
- PartedMagic: http://www.pcworld.c...ml?tk=nl_ddxdwn

which one do you recommend to use that is free.

Easus should do a nice job.

can I make another partition on the drive and install it then copy everything from one partition to the other if possible ?

If you are saying that you want to install the OS on another partition and then "copy" your programs to the new partition, then that won't work either.

You can not move your programs. They need to be re-installed.

As for partitioning, EASEUS works great.

so the best way to fix my problem is to do a reinstall like the administrator of this site recommended.