Stop: c0000218

Hi Guys, im aving the problem where i cannot boot my laptop, it keeps on giving me the option to start up in safe mode, normal mode etc but when i select any of the options i get the windows logo and then a blue screen with the error: Stop: c0000218 {Registry File Failure} The registry cannot load the hive (file): \SystemRoot\System32\Config\SAM or its log or alternate

I have done some research and have found the following guide by microsoft which should help me fix the issue

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...Ben-us;307545

I have followed the guide but am not getting much luck, im in recovery console and am at the part where i have to type:
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak

Problem being is that it wont let me copy the file "sam", just comes back with cannot copy sam

Really stuck what to do next, cant afford to format my hard drive

Help

*I just Tried the repair function on the xp cd with no luck,it gets all the way thru copying the files but when it gets to the end "Saving Configuration" It then comes up with the message" Setup cannot set the required windows xp configuration information. This indicates and internal setup error" I only have the option to restart the laptop.*

 

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