FIle \ntkrnlmp.exe error 7 and STOP: c0000218

[CSUlf2500]

Trying to restart after a crash by using W2k floppies. Got error message: "FIle \ntkrnlmp.exe could not be loaded. The error code is 7. Setup cannot continue. Press any key to exit."

The root problem stems from failure to boot with error message: " STOP: c0000218 {Registry File Failure} The registry cannot load the hive (file) : \SystemRoot\System32\Config\SOFTWARE or it's log or alternate. It is corrupt, absent, or not writeable."

The trouble started after I had the system shut down for a couple of weeks, including power conditioner/surge protection. When I tried to light it up after the down time, the old Precision 340 would not boot showing the above error message. The machine was running well at shut down.

I have tired many suggessted solutions, but cannot access the hard drive, so DOS commands, regedit/regedt32, etc seem of be of no use. System will not start in safe mode. I have booted from Win 2k disk, Drivers/Utilities disk, and a couple of 'rescue disks' only to be limited to the CD/DVD drive. As mentioned above, floppy boot disks aren't working so far, either.

I understand that runnning chkdsk /r of /f could help, but again, cannot access the C: drive to run the DOS command. My experience is pretty limited, so I would greatly appreciate any advice.