Hello Tryshz, follow this link for a step-by-step guide on how to make a recovery disc for vista:
windows vista recovery disk step by step guide
This one is for XP ( except home edition ):
Windows XP: Set up and Use Automated System Recovery in Windows XP - HelpWithWindows.com
The six disks Al is referring to contains all the necessary files to start your PC all the way up to the actual installation of XP and you can use them to access the recovery console, allowing you to troubleshoot your PC.
The Automated System Recovery disk I mentioned allows you to replace files from your installation before you have an operating system failure, and after having to re-install a clean copy of XP.
Regards
Martin