hi linny good to hear your getting sorted, to change your keyboard settings
Start > All Programs > Control Panel > Regional and Language Options. Go to the Languages tab, and click Details. Add English (United Kingdom) using the Add button on the right hand side of the dialogue. Click Apply. Select it as the Default input language using the drop-down menu at the top of the same dialogue. Click Apply, problem was the wrong regional settings were selected on reinstallation, no biggy.
have you done all updates on xp before trying to use your external?
or else if it doesnt show on the desktop when its connected try selecting my computer when its connected and see if it shows up there