16 bit MS-DOS Subsystem

[JROK]

I'm running winXP Home. For the past little while when I try to install or open some programs I get this message:

in this case its 'regedit' i was trying to open

16 bit MS-DOS Subsystem
C:\WINDOWS\System32\regedit.com
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\AutoEXEC.NT. The system is not suitable for running MS-DOS and MIcrosoft Windows Applications. Choose 'close' to terminate the application.

I don't know if it has anything to do with this but I can't find the folder 'System32' anywhere on my pc.

[Gecko]

Insert your windows XP CD into the CD drive.
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type:
cmd
and then click OK
At the command prompt, type the following command then press ENTER:
expand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\autoexec.nt_ c:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt

See if that resolves it for you

[JROK]

when i type in 'cmd' under open i get the same message i was getting before.

[Gecko]

Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, and then restart the computer.
When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
Select the installation your install from the Recovery Console (type 1 and press enter).
At the command prompt, type:
copy c:\windows\repair\autoexec.nt c:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt

[JROK]

I went into the recovery console and selected my installation, but then it asked me for the Administator password. I've never set a password or anything. What should I do?

[icecube]

The administrator account for XP home if not previously set by the user should be blank. Just hit enter when prompted for a password