BSOD: missing or corrupted: system32\config\SOFTWARE or log alternate
Windows XP Home
Fix

I'm blaming this on ZoneAlarm (think it took a piece of the registry with it on uninstall).

Get a windows XP corporate CD and boot to its recovery console. No admin password needed.

CD \windows\system32\config

ren SOFTWARE SOFTWARE.old

copy ..\..\repair\software .

reboot