windows\system32\config\system

[Bluesmith]

I have XP and when I started the other day, I got the error message:
windows could not start because the follwing 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...
I found lots of information about fixes on the web. I tried:
1. doing what the screen said and repairing-still got the screen
2. doing what is prescribed on the link http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp
it was fine until i got to the step
copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system
then it says "the system cannot find the file specified".
Does anyone have any insights?
Thank you