Fix STOP: 0xc0000221 or STOP: 0xc000026C Errors on Win XP

One of the following error messages may be displayed when you start your Windows XP computer:
"STOP: 0xc0000221 [Unable to load device driver] Driver_Name"

"STOP: 0xc0000221. Bad image check sum, the image user32.dll is possibly corrupt. The header check sum does not match the computed check sum."

"STOP: 0xc000026C [Unable to load device driver] Driver_Name"

In the error messages, Driver_Name is usually the device driver file that is causing the problem.

Cause of the Error

Your system faces these problems in one of the following situations:

  • A required device driver file (.sys) is either corrupt or missing from the system.
  • The User32.dll file is either corrupt or missing from the system.

Resolution Method

Depending on the cause of the problem, use one of the following methods to resolve the issue.

A Device Driver File is Corrupt or Missing

To resolve the issue in this case, open the Windows XP Recovery Console and then replace the corrupt or missing file by performing the following steps:

  1. Insert the Windows XP installation CD or DVD in your CD or DVD drive and boot your system using this CD.
  2. To launch the Recovery Console, press R when the Welcome to Setup screen is displayed.
  3. If you have a multi-boot system, select the Windows XP installation you want to fix.
  4. Provide administrator password and press Enter-if you have not set an administrative password, just press Enter.
  5. At command prompt, type the following commands and press Enter to make a backup of the existing driver file and then copy the new driver file from the Windows XP CD to the system.
    • cd windows\system32\drivers
    • ren driver_name.sys driver_name.bak
    • copy cd-rom:\i386 driver_name
    • exit

    Note: Here, cd-rom represents the drive letter of your CD or DVD driver and driver_name is the name of the file you are replacing.

  6. Restart your PC normally.

The User32.dll File is Corrupt or Missing

To resolve the issue in this case, open the Windows XP Recovery Console and then replace the corrupt or missing User32.dll file by performing the following steps:

  1. Insert the Windows XP installation CD or DVD in your CD or DVD drive and boot your system using this CD.
  2. To launch the Recovery Console, press R when the Welcome to Setup screen is displayed.
  3. If you have a multi-boot system, select the Windows XP installation you want to fix.
  4. Provide administrator password and press Enter-if you have not set an administrative password, just press Enter.
  5. At command prompt, type the following commands and press Enter to make a backup of the existing user32.dll file and then copy the new user32.dll file from the Windows XP CD to the system32 folder.
    • cd windows\system32
    • ren user32.dll user32.bak
    • expand cd-rom:\i386\user32.dl_ c:\windows\system32
    • exit

    Note: Here, cd-rom represents the drive letter of your CD or DVD driver.

  6. Restart your PC normally.

In case the problem remains and your PC fails to start, you may have to perform an in-place upgrade or repair install of Windows XP operating system to resolve the error.

To prevent file corruption on your Windows system, it is recommended that you ensure your PC is free from registry and malware problems. To do this, you must regularly clean your registry using a reliable tool, such as RegServe and scan your system with efficient and updated security tools, such as STOPzilla Antivirus and Spyware Cease.