Windows XP no longer runs in Bootcamp

Question

Windows XP was running fine in bootcamp and via Parallels 5. Suddenly I get the BSOD attemting to bootup via Parallels. I attempted to boot right out of bootcamp but cannot. I run the Windows XP install again and the repair option fails (twice). I am close to simply deleting the thing and starting from scratch - except I do not have a recent backup of my bootcamp partition.
So - I can see the bootcamp partition and browse it just fine but am restricted from copying files.
My questions are these:
1. Is there a way I can access/copy these files from Finder?
2. Can I install Windows again (perhaps in another VM via Parallels) that would allow me to acces the bootcamp partition?
3. Am I out of luck?
Thanks,
Jeff

Answer 1

Basically, you go to Apple Logo menu > About This Mac, and click on More Info.  This opens up Apple System Profiler.  In the Overview page you will find a Model ID.
The short version: if this ID is any of the following, it cannot run XP, period:
MacBookPro8,1
MacBookPro8,2
MacBookAir3,1
MacBookAir4,1
The following models can run XP, Vista or 7, but benefit more from Win 7:
MacBook5,x (x=1 or 2)
MacBook6,1
MacBook7,1
MacBookPro5,x (x=1-8)
MacBookPro6,x (x=1-2)
MacBookPro7,1
And these here work well with XP, better with Vista, and meet the basics for 7:
MacBook3,x
MacBook4,x
MacBookPro3,x
MacBookPro4,x
MacBookAir1,1
MacBookAir2,1
Finally, these models here aren't supported past Vista at all  Many simply fail to meet the recommendations for 7:
MacBook1,x
MacBook2,x
MacBookPro1,x
MacBookPro2,x
That first digit is the generation.
Nate