My 8400 Dimension has gone mad.

I have tried to repair the system. I have tried to reinstall the system and nothing works. I've run every diagnosic test there are on my disks and everything passes.

 

This was the first message I had on my screen:

 

This file may be missing or corrupt--

WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

 

I was instructed to insert the OS disk and strike the R key (for repair) when it booted. All it does is return to the same screen. When I can finally get to the Windows Setup screen, it loads drivers, etc. but when I tell it to install WindowsXP or Repair then I get the message:

 

Diskette drive 0 seek failure

 

I made sure the HD was working--it is. I made sure that the floppy drive (which I don't have) was disabled--it is.

 

I don't know what else to do.

 

When I thought it was the hard drive, I installed a new hard drive and got the same messages. So it isn't that.

 

Does ANYONE have any suggestions short of smashing it with a hammer. This thing is only 13 months old and the warranty just ran out. It should not be acting like this.

 

You can e-mail me at d_wray42@hotmail.com

 

Thank you!