Windows XP config problem

I have problem running windows on a machine with is far more than needed but for some reason the windows/system32/config.dll file keeps going on vacation? It says it is missing, pess r for repair or put in the windows xp disk? I am using both xp pro& xp home versions done fresh installs of both at different time after formating and using fdisk to clean the hard drive (I am not running both OS at the same time) But I get the same error. I am wondering if something in the bios could be changing device address causing windows to see major hardware changes. Maybe time to flash the bios??
These errors also seem to go a long with Minidumps.Breif description Soyo Dragon Plus with AMD 1800+ 384 meg ddr ram, IBM deskstar, 64 gforcemx2, 300 watt power supply running xp home
at the moment. thanks