Try MS Knowledge base article: Q173309
=============================================
Basically you'll have to install another copy of NT to a different directory. If you don't have enough room, do a repair/upgrade to the same directory. Since you don't have an ERD, install a fresh copy over the existing directory.
Good luck.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51, 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51, 4.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAUSE
=====
This error can occur for any of the following reasons:
- File_name.dll is missing from the %SystemRoot%\system32 directory.
- If File_Name.dll exists, the software hive may be corrupted and, therefore,
cannot load.
RESOLUTION
==========
The method for checking whether File_name.dll exists varies, dependingon the
file system in use.
For NTFS file systems, install a parallel copy of Windows NT into an unused
directory, and then verify that File_name.dll exists in the
%SystemRoot%\System32 directory.
If the file exists, it is possible that the registry software hive has been
corrupted. Check the integrity of the software hive ... Read the full article