got the startup error message "file windows\system32\config\system is missing or corrupt".

 

I booted from the CD and went into the repair console.  When I try to replace the file with windows\repair\system, I get error that there is no such file.  The repair directory only has system.bak, not system.   If I rename system.bak and copy it to the config folder, the computer continually crashes and reboots. 

 

Any suggestions to repairing the registry without re-installing windows?

 

Thanks