"Cannot recover the master database. Exiting." and beyond

I have a client who gets "Cannot recover the master database.
Exiting." when trying to start the MSDE.
As it happens I must come up with an answer to why this may happen.
I searched this group and beyond and though the cure looks to be
"rebuild and reinstall" I need you gurus out there to, tell me why
this may happen.
Please help,
JohnHi,
First try to start SQL Serevr in Minimal config. mode, if fails,
Do you have the Backup for Master database?
If yes then,
1. Rebuild the master
2. STart SQL server in single user mode
3. Apply the master backup to master database
4. Restart SQL server
Thanks
Hari
MCDBA
"john" <abcmyemail@.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:35644fe1.0312121140.1a4ab125@.posting.google.com...
> I have a client who gets "Cannot recover the master database.
> Exiting." when trying to start the MSDE.
> As it happens I must come up with an answer to why this may happen.
> I searched this group and beyond and though the cure looks to be
> "rebuild and reinstall" I need you gurus out there to, tell me why
> this may happen.
>
> Please help,
> John