win xp pro will not boot

trying to boot
says \windows\system32\config\system is corrupted
i have a image 80gb.hdd that does not have ntldr(will nor boot,but all else is there mirror image of sort) same as other drive but 80gb.
the trouble is replacing boot files on the 80gb hdd
.ntldr and a file that i was not able to read.how do i rebuild
the boot on the 80 gb.
i'm so confussed.
thanks for any and all help

 

Without a bootable system or a bootable image file (if restored) you don't have many choices. I would opt for the easy out and try a repair install of XP over the old system files. It'll save all your stuff and may put you back in shape.

It is possible to rebuild the Registry to replace the missing SYSTEM hive but it's a long tedious process from the Recovery Console. Even then there is no guarantee you'll get what you want since you'll be calling up much older files.

Why not do a full new install on the 80 gig drive and then slave the current drive to it? That would allow you to possibly repair it somehow. If not, you'll at least be able to get your data from it.