PRB: STOP: c000021a Unknown hard error

  • Thread starter Bloke at the pennine puddle
  • Start date
B

Bloke at the pennine puddle

Anyone got any clues what this BSOD means?

STOP: c000021a Unknown hard error
Unknown hard error

I know this is not a hardware error as it happens after a scheduled
CHHDSK is performed.

I invoke `CHKDSK /F` and schedule the check to be done on the reboot.
Windows XP re-boots and perofrms the volume check.
It reboots again and I determine that the BSOD appears just at the
point where the `Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete` dialogue appears.

A memory dump file is NOT generated and also nothing is shown on the
event logs.

From my searches, the problem I've encountered is not unique to me.
It's been spotted by other individuals. I've also seen the various
articles on Microsoft's KB, but none describe this particular problem.

Remember, it only happens when Windows XP Pro (SP1) reboots after the
volume has been checked by CHKDSK.

It would have been useful of the BSOD told me which file caused the
hard error, but alas, I should be so lucky.
 
B

Bloke at the pennine puddle

Jon said:
I think that error is usually a security problem caused by a dodgy 3rd party
program that's been installed (knowingly or unknowingly). Solution - if
you've recently installed a new suspect program - remove the program or
check for spyware / adware / viruses.

Jon

Good point, but to my knowledge I've not installed anything Dodgy. I
don't do file sharing. I've not got any programs that rely on adware
or spyware. I've run the system file checker and that shows my
Windows XP Pro system as clean and correct. I've not had a virus
infaction on this computer for over 3 years. I move my files across
when I upgrade discs.

Here is one for the books. I've NEVER had to perform a clean install
before Windows XP Professional, which (my choice) was installed clean.
I reinstalled all the broken programs as I encountered them.

McAfee is my Enti-virus program. A NAT router makes sure no works can
introduce themselves without my knowledge. I don't use Outlook or
Outlook express for e-mail. My system is fully patched/updated.

It's only after performing a CHKDSK. On the following reboot the
error appears. After pressing the reset button all works as expected
again.

Strange indeed....

The better question is, if it's a third party program that was
installed, which one could it be? Mind you, I will give another
CHKDSK another go, but I'll disable the Norton Ghost and Drive Image
services this time round. It's somewhere to stary.

Anyone else got any clues?
 
B

Bloke at the pennine puddle

Malke said:
You've certainly been thorough. Why not try a hard drive diagnostic just
in case your drive is failing?

Malke

Done that. The nominal operating temperature of my (Was IBM) Hitachi
hard drive is approx 37 degrees celsius. During testing of the
hardware components the temparature of the hard drive without, extra
cooling, rose and didn't do above 43 degrees celsius. Durint testing
there were no IDE chann errors and no soft or hard read errors.

I did suspect RAM and did quite a few tests like shifting bits test
and checker-board patters tests for a while without a single hitch.

In otherwords I performed a moderate burn-in test.

the CPU is cooled quite fine. The heatsink has got two decent fans on
it rotating at about 4700 RPM.

This looks like a problem with XP that I've found.

I have since ran CHKDSK using the recovery console and this time the
computer rebooted correctly.

Strange problem indeed.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top