Desktop

I had the same problem and used this page to fix it:

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000465.htm

My solution happened to be the last fix on the list (loose cable). It figures.

Method 1: Use a Boot Disk to Start the Computer


Create a Windows 2000 boot disk that contains the following files:
Ntldr
Ntdetect.com
Boot.ini
Ntbootdd.sys

301680 HOW TO: Create a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition in Windows

101668 How to Use a Windows Boot Disk to Prevent Boot Failure
Microsoft Knowledge Base:
311578 HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows 2000

Insert the boot disk into the computer's floppy disk drive, and then restart the computer.
Copy the Ntldr file, the Ntdetect.com file, and the Boot.ini file from the boot disk to the system partition of the local hard disk.
back to the top
Method 2: Use the Recovery Console
Use the Windows 2000 Setup disks to restart the computer, or use the Windows 2000 CD-ROM to restart the computer.
At the Welcome to Setup screen, press R to repair the Windows 2000 installation.
Press C to repair the Windows 2000 installation by using the Recovery Console.
Type the number that corresponds to the Windows installation that you want to repair, and then press ENTER. For example, type 1, and then press ENTER. For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
229716 Description of the Windows Recovery Console

Type the Administrator password, and then press ENTER.
Type map, and then press ENTER. Note the drive letter that is assigned to the CD-ROM drive that contains the Windows 2000 CD-ROM.
Type the following commands, pressing ENTER after you type each one, where drive is the drive letter that you typed in step 4 of "Method 2: Use the Recovery Console," of this article:
copy drive:\i386\ntldr c

copy drive:\i386\ntdetect.com c

If you are prompted to overwrite the file, type y, and then press ENTER.



For reference see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article
318728

You may need to re-install your operating system, when i have had that message it is because essential files have been lost or damaged in the operating system. An operating system repair may solve this. good luck.

I always thought you got that error by leaving a non bootable floppy in the floppy drive.

Have you tried using norton systemworks to check the hard disk for problems, if it is a hard drive problem it should show up on there, or scan disk and defragment the hard drive, the other option is to get a new hard disk and use your old one as a slave drive.