Registry file failure

[Iason]

Hello all,
After coming home from the pub last and night I found that my system had crashed while my flatmate was using it giving the error message:

STOP: c0000218 {registry file failure}
The registry cannot load the hive (file):
\SystemRoot\System32\Config\Software
or its log or alternative
it is corrupt, absent, or not writable.

Needless to say when I returned from the pub I was slightly intoxicated but tried to fix it anyway (big mistake)!!). I remember finding a fix at this address : http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q307545
I followed the instructions up to the end of part one but it didn't work. (here's my mistake) Ithen got fed up and instead of opening the recovery console I chose the option to set up windows xp. The setup started running then up came the error:

lsass.exe - System error
An invalid parameter was passed to a service or function

5 secs after I press ok the system reoots

I have tried to run the recovery from the xp cd to no avail
Now I can't even get into the recovery console as the default admin password (which should be blank) does not work!
It also told me as I tried to run the set up again that there is no other version of windows on the machine.
Any help would be greatly appreciated as I need the computer up and running as soon as poss (if only to stop me pulling out what little hair I have left).
Hope some of you brainy guys can help.
Cheers

[High Gear]

Did you try your password? Default did'nt work for me (blank)

[NBR]

well if it aint to much of a problem i would just clean install windows xp again, that is your best bet anyways since it sounds like that pc was really screwed up anyways