c0000135 STOP error - USER32.dll not found

Hello

Checked the recommended threads on this, but didn't see something specific to my problem. I have a 2003 Dell Inspiron 9100 laptop running Windows XP, bitdefender AV, and Comodo firewall. Regularly update AV, use CC Cleaner before every shutdown, and use Spybot for malware cleaning. I don't surf "unusual" websites, so try to avoid potential problems. But I have one.

Went to start the laptop, and once Windows tries to open, I get a blue screen with the message "STOP: c0000135 {unable to locate component}
This application has failed to start because USER32.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix the problem". I didn't delete any files I'm aware of, so can't figure out what the issue is. Tried pulling the battery and replacing. No luck. Tried booting up in SAFE MODE, but no joy - same message. Put the Dell XP application CD in the drive (not the Windows XP reinstall disk) and tried BOOT LOGGING via the safe screen, but get the same message. Can you help? Thanks!

 

Hello Plodr - thanks very much for your reply. I do have a Windows XP system disk that came with the laptop. So I am going through the recommended repair procedure. Hopefully it will work. Thanks again!