Windows XP won't boot

Alright, I’ve got a laptop running Windows XP.
Every time I boot it up, I get this error:
windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt

The problem is, I don't have the Windows XP install disc. Anyone know how to fix this without the original CD?

Maybe you could try grabbing that missing file from another Windows XP machine if you can find one.

Yeah, how? I can't even get it to boot. It won't even give me the option to hit R for repair...

Just grab a Hiren's bootable drive.

Here's the deal. Safe mode is dead to me, and trying to roll back to a last known good configuration is a total wash. I keep getting that same error message. I tried downloading a Windows PE build and burning it to a USB, but the system won't even give me the option to boot from it.
I'm running a Phoenix BIOS, but I can't get anything done in there either.

Try booting from a CD if the USB drive is giving you any trouble.