windows cant start

[bry25_uk]

I have XP home ed SP3 all upto date. I run norton 360. Everything was
running nice and smooth,as it does !!!!, until this afternoon. My desktop
suddenly stopped responding. TOTALLY. ALT-TAB would cycle through running
programs but they wouldnt activate. As a last resort i did a hard reset and
on restart was presented with "registry file was damaged, had to use
alternate file, done successfully" and it appeared to boot ok. After boot the
desktop was still not responding. It was all there but i couldn't click on
anything. again i reset and attempted to start in safe mode to which i was
told, on a black screen, " Windows could not start because the following file
is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\system32\config\SYSTEM "
"You can attempt to repair this file by starting windows setup using the
original setup cd rom, select r at the first screen to start repair"
I have done this but don't know how to use this repair console. I have
repaired files with CHKDSK/r but need to know a little more if anyone can
help me please.
thanks
oh, the first time it attempted to restart it said, missing or corrupt
SYSTEM.log
dont know if this helps

 

[Leonard Grey]

Malicious software ("malware") could be installed on your computer.

"How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from
starting"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

This is highly technical work. If you can't benefit from the "Guided
Help" you may want to show your computer to a professional. At the very
least, if you are unable to recover your system, the professional will
backup your files before erasing your hard disk and reinstalling your
software.

If you are able to recover and boot into Windows, even if its only Safe
Mode, make sure that your anti-malware software is running, then
download the latest signatures and run a full scan.

If you don't have comprehensive anti-malware software, that's like
driving a car without seats belts or air bags. Either way, you're
eventually going to get hammered. Install comprehensive anti-malware
software and learn how to use its features. A 'comprehensive' solution
scans for all types of malicious software in the background, on demand
and on schedule.

For now try scanning your system with /several/ of the better online
scanners, such as:
Kaspersky Antivirus (http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner)
Panda ActiveScan (http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan)

Download HijackThis from www.trendsecure.com. Run it, save a log, and
post the log at one of the many sites that support HJT, such as
spywarewarrior.com, bleepingcomputer.com, and temerc.com -- but not
here. Within a day, sometimes within an hour, you'll have one-on-one
step-by-step advice from a security expert on cleaning up any
infestations—or you'll have a clean bill of health from the volunteer
expert.

Even the best detection and removal software can't fix every malware
infection.