Cannot boot into Windows on Compaq Presario SWV254 .

Hello,

I am attempting to help an individual with a problem described as being "
that it will not boot into Windows whatsoever". This is what happens on boot
up.

A screen appears with the following message " Windows has detected a
registry/config error. Use scan reg/restore to correct the errors". The
StartUp Option 'Normal' appears and is selected. The error "Reg file not
found" appears followed by the new hardware wizard and upon clicking next
"Hardware not found" and 'Finish' is clicked.

This results in another error message "ENUM\HTREE\ROOT\O....SUREG Create Key
failed" followed by a blank gray screen.

A reboot is done and "Logged" is selected. The error "Windows has detected a
registry/config error. Use scan reg/restore to correct the errors" and
"Registry services may not be operative for this session."

A reboot and the selection "Safe Mode" made, resulting in "Windows has
detected a registry/config error. Use scan reg/restore to correct the
errors"

Another reboot and selection of "Step by Step Confirmation" produces the
error "Windows has detected a registry/config error. Use scan reg/restore to
correct the errors"

"Yes" was selected against the following prompts:

Create a startup file? Bootlog text?
Enable SmartDrvdisk cache?
"Loaded & initialized TFSHLP.SYS drivers complete"
Load all Windows drivers?
"Registry file is not found. Registry services may be inoperable for this
session"
Override?
Standard?
IFSMGR?
MSmouse.vxd?
"SUREG Create Key Failed"

A reboot using the Recovery CD does nothing but produce the "Options"
screen.

A reboot with a StartUp disk into DOS A:\ C:\ scanreg /restore resulted in
"checking system files" and then went back to the C: prompt. Same with
scanreg /fix

The command line CD C:\windows\options\install and :then
C:\\windows\options\install\setup produced "Too many Parameters".

This computer has a long-standing problem with Shutdown. It isn't available
from the Start menu in the sense that it doesn't work. The user holds down
the start button until shutdown occurs. The monitor is subject to problems
too but that is hopefully irrelevant.

Any suggestions as to what might be ailing this computer or further
exploratory steps which might be usefully taken much appreciated. I have
only minimal DOS experience in terms of command lines. I am comfortable with
formats and installs/reinstalls-over but there is no OEM WinME available.

Thanks.

Ben.

PS This failure occurred after a day of successful usage