Installation repair will not access CD

[Guest]

I have a real problem with XP Pro failing to boot with the message "Missing
or corrupt file \windows\system32\config\system. I have recovered system,
sam, software, security, default from the repair folder and managed to get a
very slow boot sequence which results in a black screen (still black after 2
hours or more!).
I have tried a repair installation from the CD (Dell OEM) and this gets me
to a point where it says "Windows needs to load the file asms" which is on
the CD but it won't read the CD!
I'm now in a loop of setup "Aborted by user" and setup restarting on next
boot.
Advice/help will be much appreciated.
Adrian Sellers

 

[Mary Sauer]

Maybe this will help.

"The file 'Asms' on Windows XP Professional CD-ROM is needed" error message when
you install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311755/en-us