Dell XPS 400 will not start?

I'm working on this comp for a friend. Most of the time it will boot into Windows. Usually, it will keep restart in startup menu mode (Security, Windows starts normally, etc.). I have been able to get in occasionally in safe mode and normal mode. When I could I was able to run System Restore and worked for a while, but then began to act again. I'm sure I can come and save the data, but I'm at a loss as how to do a system recovery (or even if necessary). I do not have the recovery CD and can not find a recovery partition. I also tried using a Windows XP CD to make a recovery, but the box only allows a USB keyboard to be connected and that will not recognize the keyboard in the Windows Recovery. Any ideas? I'm still not sure if this same hardware or software related.

I do I can say for sure, but I can tell you where to go for help: http://www.tech-forums.net/pc/ I am a member there, and have been for some years. A lot of people to help to find the answers, as it could be a lot of different things.