Administrator password woes - cannot get into XP

Oh boy, here we go.

 

My computer recently had a corrupted registry file (windows\system32\config\software). No problem, I put in the XP CD, got to the Recovery Console, and copied it from the windows\repair folder.

Restarted and got a message that windows\system32\config\system was corrupt. Went into Recovery Console, but surprise - it wasn't in the windows\repair folder.

That's when I called Dell tech support. The technician had me restore a file from the very first system restore point. (I have this feeling I would have been fine if he'd told me to use a later one.)

 

Big mistake! I am now completely unable to get into the Recovery Console or Windows XP. No safe mode, no command prompt, nothing. Somehow it changed the administrator password, and I cannot access anything, period. The Dell technician said he'd call me back, but since it's been days, I'm now looking for a solution on my own. Here's what I've tried so far:

 

-Tried different things for the Admin password: null, administrator, password, even the service tag number. No dice.

 

-Went to the Microsoft website and made a set of boot floppies, like the article said. It still won't let me into Recovery Console.

 

-Tried to repair my installation of Windows using both the setup CD and boot floppies. Again, no luck.

 

Would anyone happen to have a solution that doesn't involve losing all of my data? Help!