Out of the blue... we got system32/config is missing or something. And to enter the Windows setup repair to fix it; how is this damaged already!?

Things like faulty Ram and HardDrives can cause this (there are links here to fix this fault, but it's not advised)
You are best to confirm the above settings (my last post)
Also remove the floppy drive (and data cable from the Motherboard)
Rest the CMOS to defaults
Then start again.

By the way, still your Profile not updated.

There is also a possibility that the CPU is faulty, that's a concern!

Anyway, read through these posts and confirm all is correct again (Note: this will take a few minutes to do, and reply with results!!!)

If you do change anything, then just run the Restore image again (as long as that Restore was made for that computer)

Before I do anything else, we're now getting a disk read error... I think the HD is.. dead?

Post # 2 here !!

But you said you ran a Drive Diagnostics

I did! It proved... fine?

Other than doing what I suggested two posts ago (just up there ^^)

I would suggest try another HardDrive

Yeah, we're debating on buying an new HD, but we wouldn't know where to get one cheap.
Model: Dell Dimension 1100

Removal Proceedure
http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1088567

Any ATA (not Sata) HardDrive will do
Generally most purchase around the 250Gig area

Someone from VGComputers told us anything above 80GB would not work on this model?

Go here and select Analyze System : http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/D...=us&l=en&s=dhs

I cannot see in the specs what the max is, but it's usually way above 80Gig

I created a Dell Drivers page H E R E (as well) that may help you too

Actually this won't help, it doesn't work ofcourse!!

Anyway, yes you can go above 80Gig

Alright man. I don't even know why I'm bothering to respond other than I just was astounded to see so many replies after my post in here.

If your drive had bad sectors, its a bad drive. Now some programs can help or even sort of fix that, but really, no good drive will ever have bad sectors, so you should just replace it. Which funnily enough is what I said right away.

Also you said you ran memtest after Kimsland suggested it, but I think there was less than an hour time ( more like 20 minutes I think, but I'm not going ot bother to check for you ). There is no way in hell you ran memtest that fast. Period. Done. Ect. Whatever. Memtest will take HOURS to run.

So please, post back here when you either follow my advice, or kimslands, or know what the hell you are doing.

Your ATA drive hard to replace argument is BS and it shows you don't know wtf you are talking about. EIDE and ATA are pretty much interchangeable, and there is no way in hell your drive is irreplaceable.

One of the first things I did was run a MemTest...also; we brought the drive into be service. The person there told it was not sold anymore. I'm really not one to argue this point, so if this IS bullshit I'd like to know.

Pretty hard to find 80Gig anymore (Note: I'm sure there are areas to purchase one)
But again, just go higher in Gigs
You can even contact Dell and confirm that you can go higher

Alright, it's 11PM here so it's a best late. (Yes, I know my profile time might be a little bit off.) However, when I'm a bit more awake I'll get my mother to call Dell and tell us how far up we can go. I'm sorry about the confusion on the MemTest, does it need to be ran again?

We're getting disk read errors now, and Chkdsk is telling us theres a problem that cannot be recovered. I'm going to assume this harddrive is dead... but why is the BIOS loading slow; does the HD affect it?

I know this is a bit much to ask as this is all on your free time guys, but I don't mind ordering off the internet for her. Any idea where I could get one cheap? I've previously ordered off NewEgg and TigerDirect. Anybody got any places to check other then there?

I found this...http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822144122

So you already know that you can purchase this.

Anyway, yes a faulty HardDrive can cause system slow downs
But tomorrow go through this entire thread again, you have not answered some questions, and I'm concerned CMOS is not defaulted, and a whole bunch of other issues.

You could run Memtest into the night (seeming it takes 4Hrs approx)
Anyway, it's all here !

My mother is not completely illcomputer illterate and refuses to take off the CMOS or something.. she was whining it needs to be glued back on or something? Is there something I'm not getting? She's crazy... right? <.<

Oh dear, I'm concerned that these simple procedures (no glue required!) are going to cause many post replies. Is there anyone there more computer literate?

Anyway, I'll give it a shot, even though I have mentioned to do this ages ago now?!)

Start your computer
You should see a prompt like press DEL or F2 (or some other key to get to CMOS Setup)
Once in CMOS go to run defaults, and select it, yes.
Then save and exit (usually F10)

But run the Memtest overnight still

So my mother is nuts then xD? I tried to get her to let me do it ages ago but she was skeptical...sadly. I see no key to enter CMOS Setup? I see a button to enter Setup?

Yes that's it !

Hence my point:
It may be better, when you have woken up to a new day
By the way, I'm not replying with "Optimized Defaults" or whatever the label is.

Just post back tomorrow, and read all these posts again (very slowly)
If the HardDrive is faulty, you must replace it. (80Gig or 250Gig, your choice)

I can not put anymore time into this thread today

Thanks so much for all your time and effort, . If there is a way to test if a HD is faulty besides the built in Dell Diagnostics test, I'll look for it tomorrow.