First thing to do is run an extended hard drive diagnostic.  Registry errors like this one are usually indicative of drives that are failing due to bad sectors.  Press F12 at powerup and boot to the Dell diagnostics - run an extended test on the drive.

I ran the diag from F12 (there was only one to choose from). It completed with all components passing. It then prompted my to run the advanced memory tests. I'm pretty sure they all passed too. Upon completion the message read: Pre-boot System Assessment complete. No Diagnostic Utility Partition identified. Please select OK to reboot your system

It took about 10 minutes for the first test (maybe less). Note: it includes a HDD test but is a complete system diag. The extended test was an extended memory test and that took over an hour.

I am convinced its a software issue. The PC had a virus that I thought I cleaned up the day this error started

I have access to the files and registry via a tool called PC Regedit, but I do not know what to change to get it functioning again.

How long did the hard drive test take (the extended test takes about two hours - the quick test is not definitive)?

I have a DOS bootable flash drive but I cant get it to see the HDD. The Bios recognizes the HDD and the Linux utility sees and navigates the HDD.

I am not sure what I am doing wrong

ok I guess I am not convinced its not the HDD. Ill download and run a utility from Toshiba (identified as the manufacturer in the BIOS) to check it

OK - so I am now booting from Ultimate Boot CD and I can see the HDD and partitions including the recovery partition.

I have run tests on the HDD using Parted Magic and they all came up clean.

I think the issue I'm having is the result of malware.

I think I have the tools I need to be able to fix my boot problem, but I am not sure what to do.

Can anyone help?