Toshiba Satellite laptop not getting past this error message... please help!

"windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt \windows\system32\config\system
you can attempt to repair by starting windows setup using orginal cd"

ok i got this laptop from a friend for free because to him it was broken. i have a windows intall cd but i have no orginal cd.ive tried to boot from the windows cd and it just keeps restarting when i press R but it goes back to the same screen with the same prompt. i cant find the model # due to the sticker on the back being worn off. i know its a satellite and its a P4. when i first started it.. it gave me a battery error and some system error.. the battery one went away once it got some power...when i was getting this error i was able to get in what i think was the bios (i havent had a laptop before) but i changed the load sequence to boot from cd, or at least i think. after i did that i was no longer as it seems to be able to get back to that "bios". i dont know what the trigger key is with this thing? lol. its doesnt seem to be actually booting from the cd first as its not even activating at any point and time b4 the error scrren comes up. which leads me to belive that not right

well my thing is does the above error look familar to anyone? as well as shouldmy orginal cd work as a boot in this situation so that i may just attempt to reload windows? if not what would be the best route to go? Im very familar with PC's but laptops just seem a lil diffrent to me. well thanks in advance for the help and i hope someone can help. i really would like to make use of this thing.