stop: 0x00000051 registry error - can't boot to recovery c..

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

Please Help - ive found many many people with this same problem on tech web sites - so far no solution found.
Problem : Registry_error
STOP: 0x00000051 ( ...3, ...3, ...0, 0xe1324000)
BSOD when trying any (all) recovery methods at point existing registry is looked at during boot or install
Cannot even look at installation with Winiternals ERD 2003, same error when searches for existing installations
Cannot do a parallel xp os installion
Cannot boot to console mode
Specs:
dell dimension 2400
Clean install after customer brought it to me last week (had to use win98 cd to remove partition)
All critical service packs were installed
chipset update was installed for Intel chipset
updated dell bios
tried different RAM
removed pci cards, tried setting machines limited user bios settings to compatibility mode to slow down cpu processes

anybody with any ideas will be greatly appreciated!