My friend has a laptop. On boot up they got a blank screen with:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
windows/system32/config/system

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original SET-UP CDROM

Select r at the first screen to start repair

My friend doesn't have a Windows XP Professional disc.

I tried to help but don't know what to do without the XP disc?
There was a Microsoft application to download on Microsofts site for a ?possible? fix, but it doesn't provide a step by step on what to do? Also it was requiring the Microsoft app to run and the leaves be loaded onto floppy discs...but my friend doesn't have a floppy drive. i know there are externals, but can't a boot setup disc be done by cd or flash stick?

Is there anyway to help fix their laptop without a disc?

Any help would be great.

Edit: Would this work and is it the right fix? could it be something that I could email to my friend?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPdgMtbQavM