You may receive one of the following stop error messages while working on your Windows XP computer.
STOP: C0000221 unknown hard error
Path\File_nameSTOP: 0xC0000221 unknown hard error
C:\Winnt\System32\Ntdll.dll (or another specific file or driver)
STOP: 0xC0000221 STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH
Path\File_name
Note: The error message may be discussed in many different formats-blue screen or message box. It depends on when the corrupt file was detected.
Similarly, you may receive the following STOP messages when a critical system file fails to load on your Windows NT and Windows 2000 computer.
STOP: C0000221 unknown hard error
<path>\<file_name>STOP: 0xC0000221 unknown hard error
c:\winnt\system32\ntdll.dll
Note: Some other drive may also be given in the message.
On Windows 2000 the following error message may display:
STOP: 0xC0000221 STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH
<path>\<file_name>
You usually face this problem when an incorrect driver for one or more hardware is installed on your system. For instance, the error messages described above are displayed when you install a millions of instructions per second (MIPS) driver on a x86 system.
Cause of the Error
This error occurs if the file given in the error message is damaged.
Your Windows XP operating system checks the following files for integrity during system startup:
- All driver files, excluding the files that loaded using the system loader to start your system .
- All DLL (Dynamic Link Libraries) on the system. These include, Graphics Driver Interface (GDI), User, Ntdll, Crtdll, Shell, Kernel and several other DLL files on the system.
- On Windows NT and 2000 computers, all DLLs loaded in the Window server address space are also checked.
The problem may also occur if an Iomega Zip drive is connected to the same cable as your hard disk drive.
Resolution Method
You can resolve this issue by removing the corrupt driver from your computer and then reinstalling a fresh and healthy copy of the driver. You may need to use the Device Manager utility to remove the driver. It is recommended that you clean your registry with the help of a reliable tool, such as RegServe to ensure that all entries related to the uninstalled driver are removed from the system. After you have completely removed the corrupt driver, restart your system and install a fresh copy of the driver on the system.
If this step does not resolve the problem, you may have to reinstall Windows XP.
It is recommended that you regularly clean your registry with the help of a registry cleaner tool and perform antivirus and antispyware scan using tools, such as STOPzilla Antivirus and Spyware Cease to prevent such errors from occurring on your system.