Fatal System Error

I was doing my weekly Malwarebytes scan when Chkdsk started by itself flashing a quick message about a file missing or something. It went through the motions and finished what it had to do, then just sat there and froze instead of restarting. I waited about 10 minutes and thought I'd help it along so I shut down manually. When I booted again I got c000021A 'Fatal System Error' The Windows Logon Process system process terminated unexpectedly with a status of 0xc0000135.
I can get to safe mode but nothing will work, I tried them all. I inherited this computer and theres no recovery disk. Is there anything i can do? I'm starting to doubt it, lol.
I have a Dell 4400 with XP Home.
Thanx in advance for any ideas offered, keep in mind I can't get to anything using the usual route.

 

Microsoft answer to this is an

"in place upgrade" = reinstall Windows.

Sorry.

http://www.techsupportforum.com/microsoft-support/windows-xp-support/133964-xp-wont-boot-up.html

 

Thanx for all the info PLODR, I'm going to try the restore partition now, I tried the safe Mode command prompt yesterday, it wouldn't open. Keep you informed, and thanx again.

 

Evidently this Dell doesn't have Recovery partition. Thanx again guys.

 

I have never known Chkdsk to run on XP without my express command.

It seems to me a very abnormal event.

Is it possible that malware became aware of Malwarebytes approach and took evasive action ?

Alan

 

Thanx for replying, alan12345, and its very possible since I inherited this system and God only knows what its been through.

I did a scan with SAS and it did find an 'unknown' trojan and took care of it, but things are still the same. I tired System Restore and though it goes through the motions, when it finishes it tells me it couldn't be restored and to pick another restore date. When I do the same thing happens.

Also, and this just started yesterday, my monitor background keeps going to black no matter what I choose. All the icons are in place and functional just the background changes.

I need to know of a GOOD online scan if you would be so kind. This thing has 2 drives and theres all kind of programs in it. Thanx again.

 

Thanx a lot PLODR, I just had an online chat with a Dell rep and even though I'm not the original purchaser of this puter and the warranty expired, I can get the recovery disk for $19, cheap by any standards. He assured me it'll work and they even have someone call you on a given date and guide you through the installation. So the CD's on its way, I'm a happy camper and its all cause of you, I never would have thought of that, thanx again.

 

I posted a few weeks ago about a Fatal error after my puter wouldn't restart and I shut it down manually. When I rebooted I got the error message and the system shut down. PLDOC suggested I contact Dell for a Recovery disk, which I did. The tech guided me through a pretty extensive reformatting and all was well. When we were finished I tried to Restart again, which was my issue in the first place, and it froze again so I had to shut down manually again but it didn't freeze on reboot, yet. Its only a matter of time until it crashes again. Any thoughts on this? It was a fresh reformat and I didnt go to any sites before I tried the restart so it can't be a virus [I don't think].

 

What version of the bio's are you running?

 

Then it's likely to be faulty/loose memory.

 

The BIOS version is REG_MULTI_SZ.

In response to PLODR, the Restart [which caused the initial Fatal system error] is still there after a Dell tech helped me reformat.
Also, how long should I let it sit? I have let it go for 10 minutes or better before and it was still frozen.

 

All together now - Oh no it isn't.

See http://pcsupport.about.com/od/tipstricks/ht/biosverwin.htm

That promises you 10 minutes of fun dabbling in the registry and inspecting registry data of type REG_MULTI_SZ.

A safer easier way may be via
http://pcsupport.about.com/b/2006/11/15/find-your-bios-version-the-really-easy-way.htm

Alan

 

Sorry, I know nothing of BIOS but I got what I posted using this:

1.Click on Start and then Run.

2.In the text box in the Run window, type regedit and click OK. This will open the Registry Editor program.

Note: Do not make any changes to any entry anywhere in Registry Editor to avoid causing serious system issues. These steps only direct you to view a registry entry, not to make changes.

3.Locate the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder under My Computer and click on the (+) sign next the folder name to expand the folder.

4.In the resulting folders, locate and click on the (+) sign next to HARDWARE to expand this folder.

5.In the resulting folders, locate and click on the (+) sign next to DESCRIPTION to expand this folder.

6.In the resulting folders, locate and click on the System folder.

7.In the results that appear in the window on the right, locate the SystemBiosVersion and SystemBiosDate entries.

8.The data in the SystemBiosVersion field contains the BIOS version for your motherboard. This field may also contain additional information such as the chipset manufacturer and BIOS manufacturer.

9.The data in the SystemBiosDate field contains the calendar date associated with the current BIOS version on your motherboard. The BIOS date can be useful in determining the current BIOS version from a motherboard manufacturer's website if the version is not clear in the SystemBiosVersion field.

10.Close Registry Editor without making any

Anyway, I can't try your method yet as I decided to do a Chkdks . It finished and is supposed to Restart itself but its just sitting there, 15 minutes now.
I also spoke to another Dell tech who tried to tell me my harddrive was bad because I couldn't access the Recovery partition. This computer never had one and the tech I spoke with previously acknowledged that.
If I get the Fatal system thing trying to get out of Chkdsk, I'm going back to HP. Thanks anyway, and if I do get out of this Restart, I'll try your way to determine the BIOS.

 

The computer is still stuck on Restart from the Chkdsk [over an hour now]. If memory serves this is what happened just before the Fatal error. Chkdsk launched itself and when it was finished it froze and I got the Fatal error after I shut down manually. I'm starting to think this whole issue is an excercise in futility. Thanx anyway you guys.

 

It doesn't restart by itself, problem is it WON'T Restart.
After Chkdsk ran, its suppose to restart by itself, it froze for over an hour. I had to manually shut down and was amazed I didn't get the Fatal error again. It freezes after every Restart option, either manually or if a program needs to restart to take effect.
BIOS version in System utility says: IntelCorp A04
SMBIOS version 2.3 if that means anything.

 

Finally some things that look promising. It'll take me awhile to waddle through the manual stuff, so I'll try the tool first. Thanx again, PLODR.

 

its tempting to always blame a virus for these problems but I had a similar event recently which turned out to be my multi-card reader. I disconnected it and everything started to work properly again. No more BSOD and random rebooting.

Worth disconecting all hardware clear cmos ,set to defualts and try booting just in case it is a hardware fault

 

The Karens Power tool didn't work. Tried both Reboot and Force Reboot and froze up on both. Froze on the Start/Run command also %windir%\system32\shutdown.exe -r -t 0

As for the card reader theory, I wouldn't even know where to look for it or how to disable it. I think I'm giving up. Thanx again for all your efforts.

 

I wasn't suggesting that your problem was due to a multi-memory card reader simply that the problem might be due to a hardware issue rather than software.

You need a little persistence to work with computer problems

 

also might be worth trying a new/spare IDE cable