After jiggin' the positions of the files
(this was a restore from another SQL server)
I now have this error instead - I am pretty convinced it is just the file locations of the model and MS DBs in the registry and the model.mdf DB that are causing the issue:
Log Name: System
Source: Service Control Manager
Date: 09/08/2019 09:50:09
Event ID: 7024
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: %computername%.domain.local
Description:
The SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) service terminated with the following service-specific error:
WARNING: You have until SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) to logoff. If you have not logged off at this time, your session will be disconnected, and any open files or devices you have open may lose data.
Event Xml:
7024
0
2
0
0
0x8080000000000000
3529
System
%computername%.domain.local
SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER)
%%3417
4D005300530051004C005300450052005600450052000000