Windows 7: Windows 7 boot problems (possible registry issue?)

Okay, I realize I shouldn't have messed with the registry, but I did ("I'm curious as a cat, that's why my friends call me whiskers!" sorry, SNL reference...). Now, I am not really sure how to fix my problem.

My problem:
Windows 7 (64 bit) reboots itself before it gets to the login screen.

Here are the steps of action I have taken and how they have failed:
Startup repair will not fix problem automatically.
System restore says system protection is not enabled for the C:/ (System) drive.
Safe mode will not boot at all (blue-screens really fast and reboots before I get the chance to see it).
In command prompt, "sfc /scannow" (system file checker) says that it cannot run because a system restore is pending and restart and run again, but it continues to say the same thing after reboot (because it cannot correctly start up).
Cannot do an in-place upgrade of Windows 7 since I cannot boot correctly.

My hypothesis:
Registry error.

Is there any more information you need? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
I am a computer user with intermediate knowledge, so you don't need to baby me and say "take it to best buy" xD (hopefully I won't have to LOL)

Hi toast and welcome

I have to say great screen name<g> Is there anything you cant live without on the current OS? do you have access to a boot disk from another OS (vista, xp, linux)?

Join the club I have hosed countless systems because of my curiousity (see avitar)

Waiting for info

Kenn J++

First, thanks for the welcome and compliment!

I have access to my Windows 7 and multiple Linux install discs. I am currently running on a Linux Mint 7 Live CD, actually xD

I have plenty of programs and files I would wish to keep in my past Windows 7 installation, and would prefer not to lose them if possible. Looking to restore the registry (if that's the actual problem) and getting back to normal use.

Try booting from the Installation/Repair disc and restoring to your latest restore point.

As I said in my original post, it says "system protection is not enabled for the C:/ (System) drive." I know this isn't true, but somehow it doesn't think that it is enabled. I tried this from the Installed (on HDD) startup repair, Windows 7 repair disc, and the Windows 7 installation disc.

Tell you what: I will not try to hijack Ken's help. If all else fails, you can always do a clean install on top of your current partition, and manually retrieve you files from Windows.old. Hopefully it won't come to that.

Thanks for the idea. I think that would mean that a lot of my programs would not be able to run, due to their old entries being in the old registry. I am trying to restore those old registry files so I don't have to go through that pain. Thanks

I agree just clean install. And make sure system restore is on and working.

Sometimes it takes less time performing a clean install then spending days trying to fix something.

Yes, but I would prefer to keep my settings/programs intact. It's worth a few days.

Go ahead and contact Ken. I regret hijacking his help now.