OK guys, please don't flame me this is legit. My wifes laptop (Dell Inspiron 2650) has windows xp installed. She downloaded games from cnet today and incorrectly uninstalled some, while installing one that she shouldn't have (doom 95 for windows 95/98). When trying to rebbot she couldn't log in. We got this error: \windows\system32\config\system is misssing or corrupt. I broke out the recovery CD and replaced the \windows\system32\config\system file with same file from restore directory. It would not let me copy the original file, so i simply renamed it.
I tried to reboot and recieved the following error
Lsass.exe error
"when trying to update a password the return status indicates the password is not correct"

Next i tried a full recovery/reinstall from same windows XP cd (original OS for laptop). When it reboots to complete the install, I recieve above error and pc reboots.
I tried to log into recovery console again to restore to original problem and I am prompted for Administrator Password. None of the passwords I use work. Either I forgot it, or it is completely corrupt.

I called Dell and had no luck. Did google searches; no help. Now I am going to the real experts. Is there a way to fix this problem? Is there a way to log in as a different user from the recovery console?(one who's password I know for sure).

Sorry fr the length. Please help...I don't want to reformat, and would like to recieve hero points from my wife. :-). Thanks in advance.