Resolved C000021A Error, Reboot after login, at witt's end!

Hi,

I came into work today and booted up my PC to find it coming up with a "ntdlr is missing" error. So I (being the only person with computer knowledge at work) slipped in my windows disk, went in and ran a chkdsk which gave one error, copied the ntdlr from the windows disk and replaced the (my assumtion) corrupted version - still did not work, then I set the system back to an earlier save point - same issue. So I went in and asked it to boot from a prevously successful version, no go. So finally I did a Windows Repair. It booted up and all was well until I logged in and it gave me a variety of errors each time I logged in. I have managed to resolve all accept for the C00021A + reboot within seconds of login, and I just cannot seem to figure out what is causing it. The specific error is "C000021A Fatal System Error - Windows Subsystem System Process ended unexpextedly..." I have scoured the internet, and literally poured hours into this, and I am hoping someone might have an idea I haven't thought of yet!

A few more details: Safe mode runs fine, I have tried twice more to do a windows repair, as I have cleaned off other errors (A roxio runtime error, and a driver issue). I am running a Dell Vostro 200 with Windows XP Pro.

Thanks so much in advance.

 

Arie,

That was the window repair install I did three times. Doesn't seem to be fixing the issue. I don't believe it could have malware, however it is hooked up to the internet. I ran a norton scan (on the PC) and a Panda scan (online) and niether came up with more than just a couple of tracing cookies.

 

Look at doing a Clean Boot
How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state

In safe mode, check in Device Manager that there are no problems listed.

Personally, if I came across "multiple problems" getting Windows to run, I would not take a lot of time trying to rescue it. I would look at backing up and reformatting. You may get past this error only to find another one. The system may be "sick" and even without errors it may not run correctly. If it seemed to be just a single, "fix and forget" problem, fine. If the system needs "major surgery ", I would rather save myself wasting further time.

Matt

 

Thanks so much everyone! I was very close to a full new installation, but decided to give the Clean Boot a try, and throw everything but the kitchen sink at it, and it seems to have cleared up the errors. I suspect they had something to do with the installation of Roxio, which I uninstalled, along with all other unused software. I also ran CCleaner (which is awesome), Spybot Search & Destroy as well as trying several other items and now all is well (and I am back in "normal" mode!) Thank you so much for all your help!

Katie

 

Well done. At least you didn't have to follow my doom-saying

Thanks for letting us know.