Making a recovery disc for WinXP Pro, SP3

I am not currently experiencing any problems with my PC. My question is general.

Below my question I've included my system specs, in bold.

I intend to load Ubuntu 10.04 onto my home desktop machine while retaining Win XP as well. I'll be creating a dual boot system, in other words, and then using XP only to run Photoshop. The rest of the stuff I need to do gets done just fine with Firefox, Open Office and Thunderbird.

The discussions about how to do this indicate a "restore disc" for XP should be created prior to starting, unless you still have the disc that came with the system.

I have the original Dell OS "re-installation" disc, still in the envelope with the key printed on the back.

My question: is the "re-installation" disc that came with the computer the same as a "recovery disc"?

If not, what is the difference? And how do I go about creating a "recovery" disc.

Sorry for what is probably a simple minded question, but I have sometimes found myself tripped up by confusing two different technical terms or failing to realize two different technical terms are actually synonyms for one another.

Thanks for the help. I'm really happy to have blundered onto this site.

Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 1.0.0.2
OS Version: Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Service Pack 3, 32 bit
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E4600 @ 2.40GHz, x86 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 13
Processor Count: 2
RAM: 2037 Mb
Graphics Card: Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family, 128 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 305187 MB, Free - 177534 MB;
Motherboard: Dell Inc., 0CU409
Antivirus: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2012, Updated: Yes, On-Demand Scanner: Enabled