corrupt windows

[kicks66]

i get a message saying '\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM is corrupt...
then it says i can repair it with the windows installation cd by pressing 'r' on the first screen. however, if i try to boot from the windows xp cd it says inspecting system hardware configuration and then just shows a black screen. how can i sort this out??

thanks

nick

 

[Rike]

Full system specs please.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Possibly bad RAM -- did you run memtest from a boot CD or floppy?

 

[Bozo Galora]

You might have some serious hardware prob
Run HDD manufacturer disk viability prog from floppy
You could also try cmos reset, including removing plug from wall
Can you boot into safe mode?
If so you could select last known good config