>windows registry hive (file) SystemRoot\System32\Config\Software"
LOL, I had the same problem and I just posted this in another thread here a few minutes ago.
Thread
basically your are fubared, your file called software is corrupted. but I got mine partially fixed in order to retreive my data and had to do a clean re-install. and here's how to do it.
1) Boot from your Win2k CD and choose repair.
2) goto console mode. (it's a DOS like application where you can copy things list directories and such, I think you know how to do that by your other thread).
(when you installed win2k for the first time it made a copy fo the software file in the winnt\repair directory)
3) from the console mode, copy the file called winnt\repair\software into the winnt\config directory and replace the file.
Reboot, You will now have a 'working' system as when you first installed win2k. At least you'll be able to copy your data out, then do a clean win2k install because your system is basically fubared from here on.
4) Good luck.
5) let me know.
