Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing

[Guest]

I am trying to fix a laptop that displays the following when booting:

Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

I have tried "How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows
XP from starting" from Microsoft Help and Support Article ID : 307545.

The second line of the first part below didn't work (copy
c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak). It says not
found. Everything else did work. I don't know what else to do. Is it a loss
or can someone help me?

md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

delete c:\windows\system32\config\system
delete c:\windows\system32\config\software
delete c:\windows\system32\config\sam
delete c:\windows\system32\config\security
delete c:\windows\system32\config\default

copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy c:\windows\repair\software c:\windows\system32\config\software
copy c:\windows\repair\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy c:\windows\repair\security c:\windows\system32\config\security
copy c:\windows\repair\default c:\windows\system32\config\default

 

[JJ]

If the MS suggested fix did not work , you may have to reformat and
reinstall. JJ