New DVD drive, computer won't boot Windows (SYSTEM32 error)

[D1sc1pl3 0f Mal1c3]

I bought a cheapo DVD drive for a secondary system, so I popped out the old CD-Drive and put the DVD-Drive in it's place, booted, and got this:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
WINDOWS/SYSTEM32/CONFIG/SYSTEM

I stomped around cursing for a while because I couldn't find my XP disc for the recovery console, went back and unplugged the drive and it booted up just fine. What the hell is going on

 

[Dreamscience]

ive had this, i just got a new hdd do you another you can install it on?? ....

i dont understand why it wud do this with a dvd drive lol..... its wierd.....is the pc working fine without the drive??

 

[D1sc1pl3 0f Mal1c3]

Yes, completely normal when the drive is not connected to the motherboard. Plug it in again, and I get the same error.