missing or corrupt \Config\System file Help!

[Barbara Z]

Trying to help with a computer that can't get to
Windows. When you startup, get a message : "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."
She had made some boot floppies for XP; I tried putting
in the first one and it only cycled from the startup
screens to searching for Boot record from floppy (1st
bootable device) to new screen with "Setup is inspecting
your computer's hardware configuration." and then back
again to startup screens. I'm not sure if she has good
boot floppies or not, but wouldn't it ask to put in 2nd
floppy, 3rd etc.?
I found no place that I could type in the 'r" to
repair. Please help.

 

[Kelly D]

The "r" to repair appears when you boot to the XP CDrom
disk and is one of the options for action along with load
a new system.

Now I am getting the same message "Windows could not start
because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM"

I can't figure out how to "do the repair" after I select
the "r" option. Where do I find the "SYSTEM" file to copy
it back to the corrupted hard drive? HELP!!!!!!