When I try to boot my laptop, I get the message "STOP: c0000218 {Registry File Failure} The registry cannot load the hive (file): \SystemRoot\System32\Config\SOFTWARE or its log or alternate.  It is corrupt, absent, or not writable. 

I called Dell and they referred me to a couple of help  places on their website.  They both say to go to the Recovery Console and how to load the Recovery Console if you don't have it.  I can't load the Recovery Console because I can't get past this blue screen in any kind of mode.  I have tried Safe mode and all others.  They did mail me the Reinstallad=tion CD, but I have no clue what to do at this point.  Please help.