XP Media Center - F10 Problem, can't get to create recovery CDs

[The.Vantage]

I've been having hard drive problems with our HP XP Media Center computer; fortunately I was able to slave the drive to another computer we have and retrieve the data. However, there's still a Windows error when trying to run Windows on said HDD as master (at start up, we get the error message Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM).
At this point, I just want to create recovery CDs and move everything over to the new 160GB HDD purchased from Western Digital. However, here's the obstacle I need help with.
When pressing F10 at start up, I get a "Blue Screen of Death" BSOD that says to this effect:

""A problem was detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. If this is the first time this messsage has appeared, check to be sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this problem continues, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or sofware. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing; press F8 to use safe mode.
Technical information: ***STOP: 0X0000000X (0X00000000, 0X0000001C, 0X00000001, 0X8041BOE7)""

Please reply with any and all solutions or suggestions so we can be able to create our recovery CDs. Otherwise, I am SOL and will have to either buy Windows Home off the shelf, and not be able to use the Media Center features, or have to buy new hardware to have the 'priviledge' to buy Windows XP Media Center. (When will someone be able to buy XP Media Center software alone??)

Thanks in advance.