When I turn on the computer, it says:

"Windows could not start because the following FILE is missing or corrupt:
Windows\system32\config\ system

You can attempt to repair this file by starting windows setup using the original setup CD-Rom. Select "r" at the first screen to start repair."

Now, I know already that this requires either the RECOVERY Console or the original XP CD. I'm going with the latter, the XP CD. So I put the CD in and when the Dell screen comes up, I tapped F12 for the boot menu. It still went back to that first error screen. I tried F8 (safe mode), F2 (BIOS menu), and even "r", NOTHING WORKS. I tried boot CDs, none work.

What should I do? :-|
I would be very appreciative if someone could help me with this.

Thank you in ADVANCE. Hello

 Try going into the BiOS and selecting to boot from CD drive as the first boot. Then try the fix install option. Let us know what happens. Which model Dell? Dell has some different versions of how to recovery the system.Does your computer have two CD drives? If so, you will need to put the CD in the master drive in order to boot to it. The top one is usually the master.