W2K Pro Startup Error, Can't find installation on Repair

[itgl72]

Have a W2K 2000 pro box I am trying to help a friend with. At the beginning of the boot up, it gets to the windows 2000 screen then displays the error:

Windows 2000 could not stat because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\winnt\system32\config\SYSTEM

Then it goes on to display the pressing R for repair if you boot with CD. Which I did. I started it up press R for repair, and whether I select MANUAL REPAIR or FAST REPAIR I get the same issue.

If you do not have the ERD it cannot FIND the OS installation. It will not find the installation if I press L to locate it. I do not have an ERD from the PC owner.

If I try to boot in SAFE MODE I get the same error. The last file it attempted to load, or did load, (The last line) is:
\winnt\system32\config\system.alt

SO, I'm open to your suggestions. I have done repairs like this before but they always FOUND the installation. Then fixed it from there.

Side note, if I take the install process all the way to the point of a full install it does list the directory where the current installation is supposed to be, C:\WINNT

Thanks for your help.

[Tweaker]

Hello itgl72, welcome to the community!

Here's something that might shed some light on your particular issue.

http://is-it-true.org/nt/nt2000/atips/atips118.shtml