Dell 2450 can't boot - hive error 1

[lactoso]

Aiiighh! Okay, I've got a major problem that I'm hoping someone here can help me with. I've got a Dell 2450 server (Service Tag: 9VHZ201). It's running Windows 2000 Server. The server froze up over the weekend and upon reboot, returned the following error:

--
-- STOP: c0000218 {Registry File Failure}
-- The registry cannot load the hive (file):
-- \SystemRoot\System32\Config\SOFTWARE
-- or its log or alternate.
-- It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.
--
-- Beginning dump of physical memory
-- Dumping physical memory to disk: ##
--

Of course I don't have a good backup of the registry or the data and there's critical data on the server which I desperately need. I completely deserve all the bad stuff that's happening to me, but this sinner wants a second chance!!,

While restoring the server to its former glory would be great, I would be more than happy just to be able to download the databases and Excel files I need and then reinstall Win2KServer (along with a big old honking backup unit).

Help!!

Thanks in advance,
Ed T.