I have the blue screen of death every time I try to start up this computer I obtained. I do not have the boot disk for Windows XP, I do however have version of Windows Vista that I would like to install instead of "repairing the XP.
The computer encounters a fatal error when it attempts to load Xp that says:
"STOP: c000021a" {Fatal System Error}
The Session Manager Initialization system process terminated unexpectedly with a status of 0×000012f (0×0000000 0×0000000).
The system has shut down."
There is nothing on this computer I could deem important so wiping/reformatting the hard drive is totally an option but I can't get the computer to do anything. I have tried different startup options and can't get anywhere.
Is there some way to manually boot from the Vista disk or wipe the hard drive?
From my research it seems that the error comes from a SP2 update that contains a file that causes this issue.
The computer is a Dell Dimension 2400
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9 responses so far ↓
1 Jack // Jun 28, 2008
keep pressing delete while your computer turns on. then you will get a blue screen. look arround inside until you find the boot sequence, and put the cd boot first. then turn on the computer with the vista cd inside and follow instructions.
2 Test // Jun 28, 2008
You can insert the Vista Disc into your CD/DVD drive and boot from the Disc and begin the install. If it doesn't start the setup on boot, make sure your BIOS is set to use the CD/DVD drive first on boot up.
3 ethan h // Jun 28, 2008
boot up your computer with the disk in and press f10 or f12 something like that and boot from cd rom
4 PAUL V // Jun 28, 2008
It looks like you have RAM problems
5 James Trent // Jun 28, 2008
If it is an upgrade-only disk, you are probably screwed, as Dell doesn't like to give out replacement OEM XP disks. If it's a regular Vista install disk, just put it in the drive and reboot. If it does not start up the setup, you need to either set up the drive boot order in your BIOS or find the hotkey to choose the drive to boot up from. Both of these will be available as keys that you press as your computer is starting up (basically, the first screen you see, which is the BIOS showing you information). You can usually pres F11/F12/delete to get to the BIOS menu or the boot menu.
Your computer is probably set up to boot from the hard drive first, which is why it might've not worked earlier. You just need to make sure the CD-ROM comes first, or that you select it instead.
edit: The person above me may be right. Then again, WinXP has a wonderful habit of blue-screening if small aspects of your hardware setup change. Keep the memory thing in mind, since corrupted memory can make it seem like your drives have corrupt data. For example, Vista may not want to install and complain that the CD is corrupt.
6 Leon D // Jun 28, 2008
For one your screwed, I suggest that you take your computer two a specalest who knows what hes doing, get him to wipe your hard drive clean ( it might be small fee of $5 give or take)
Then reinstall your OS and your computer will work but you won't have your files
7 conehead // Jun 28, 2008
You need to boot from the disc rather than the hard drive. To do that you tap F12 during the initial startup so you can choose the CD device as the boot device.
HOWEVER, since the 2400 is an older computer, it is unlikely that you'll find vista drivers for the hardware. Your best bet might be to find an xp cd, use the xp license key on the sticker on the computer, and download the hardware drivers from the dell site.
8 PaulPh // Jun 28, 2008
If you're sure that you want to install Vista, then format your hard drive by right-clicking it, and selecting 'format'
This will then wipe your HDD completely, and then you can install Vista, it's always best to do a clean install instead of a repair install. Anyway, you cannot do a repair install of XP using a Vista cd.
9 Andy // Jun 28, 2008
if you want to put vista on a computer that came out with xp on it youll have to have alot of ram as vista uses a heap, we have 2 gb ram and it takes about 35% of it to just run vista itself,
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