Unknown Hard Error

Well, I'm trying to install XP from boot, my current hard drive has no OS, and whenever I boot, if it doesn't get blue screen of death for the cd, it gets:
STOP: c0000221 Unknown Hard Error
/systemroot/system32/ntdll.dll

Does anyone know what this means? or how to fix it?
Or do I need a new HD? The hard drive is one that I got from WD in the warranty, because the other stopped working, so they sent me one in advance.

 

Here's a starting point: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314474

 

LOOK here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=101096
and here:
http://www.comcast.net/qry/websearc...rd+Error"&searchChoice=google&go.x=38&go.y=10

 

I've tried to reinstall many times, it just gives me that over and over again. even borrowed different peoples' discs. just doesn't get past that. What hardware could I remove for now that might make it work, that I could install later?

 

Try a different CD Rom drive/ check your IDE cables.
Maybe cdrom not reading disc correctly.

 

yargh. I did that, and it got to format my drive, and copy all the files to it, but when I restarted, it appeared again!

 

A couple thought's
Does Western Digital have HDD diagnostic's utility that you can run?

Next If you still have extra disk's that you borrowed from friends, try this Insert your Cd, begin install setup as usual, when get to format section, select to, do complete format, not Quick one, not leave exsisting.
Hopefully you will have some sucess, or at least get some of windows installed, then if and when you get error or blue screen, then Insert a different CD (one of your friends) then reboot run thru setup, should get message that windows xp exist's on what ever partition then select to repair install.

This has worked for me, Similar problem, different error, missing files, same BLUE SCREEN!

 

I'm pretty much gettign the same problem. But it's on a laptop and it wont even start up. Right before windows is finished loading the "blue screen" pops up my error is "c0000221 Unknown Hard Error \SystemRoot\System32\ntdll.dll".

 

Try removing one memory module or reseating it. Then perform reinstallation of OS again. Try another CD also of XP.

 

May I add. One common cause of Hard error is the S.M.A.R.T failure on the Hard drive. So could be also the Hard drive of your system. :major

 

You know I got the same error. However, I had some sort of virus before which is why I needed to format my drive. This virus took over a lot of my administrative rights and wouldn't let me open up any executible files. It deleted my microsoft applications like Word, Excel etc. I got a new hard drive and tried to reinstall windows but it won't let me. All I get is this same unkown hard error. This virus jacked up my computer and I can't seem to get it fixed. :cry

 

ChristinaB is you need assistance then you should start a new thread, this one started in 2004