解: (2) 因为$x_1 + x_2 = p,$$x_1x_2 = 1,$所以$\frac{1}{x_1}+\frac{1}{x_2}=\frac{x_1 + x_2}{x_1x_2}=p。$
因为$x_1^2 - px_1 + 1 = 0,$所以$x_1^2+1 = px_1。$
因为$x_1\neq0,$所以$x_1+\frac{1}{x_1}=p。$
(3) 因为$x_1 + x_2 = p,$$x_1x_2 = 1,$所以$x_1^2 + x_2^2=(x_1 + x_2)^2 - 2x_1x_2=p^2 - 2。$
又$x_1^2 + x_2^2 = 2p + 1,$所以$p^2 - 2 = 2p + 1,$
即$p^2-2p - 3 = 0,$因式分解得$(p - 3)(p + 1)=0,$解得$p_1 = 3,$$p_2 = -1。$
当$p = 3$时,原方程为$x^2 - 3x + 1 = 0。$
因为$\Delta=(-3)^2 - 4\times1\times1 = 9 - 4 = 5>0,$所以$p = 3$符合题意;
当$p = -1$时,原方程为$x^2 + x + 1 = 0。$
因为$\Delta=1^2 - 4\times1\times1 = 1 - 4 = -3<0,$所以$p = -1$不合题意,舍去。
综上所述,$p$的值为$3。$