You can run system restore from a command prompt:
Start your computer by selecting Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
When the command prompt is displayed, type the following: [systemroot]\system32\restore\rstrui.exe (the system root folder is the folder to which you installed the XP operating system files, usually c:\windows).
Press Enter
Now you can follow the instructions on the screen to use System Restore
Still, nothing beats imaging software. Everybody should use it