Quickfix: VMWare Server WinXP Pro Guest: STOP c000021a 0xc000026 after Windows Update
Problem: After installing a bunch of Windows updates (from “scratch” WinXP SP2 CD, on a VMWare Server 1.06 w/Ubuntu Hardy host), can’t boot Windows XP, even in safe mode, with following blue screen of death:
STOP: c000021a {Fatal System Error}
The Session Manager Initialization system process terminated unexpectedly with a
status of 0xc000026c (0x00000000 0x00000000).
The system has shut down.
Workaround: I have no explanation for this (but google kb925902 bsod and let me know what you find) — reversing/uninstalling KB925902 got me past the BSOD. Use WinXP recovery console from the CD, and do:
cd C:\winnt\system32\$NtUninstallKB925902$\spuninst
batch spuninst.txt
exit
The fact that this reverses a security is update is a little unnerving. See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925902, GDI fixes tend to be important (a recent vulnerability used specially crafted .jpg files). Do not leave your system unpatched.
In my case, I was able to successfully install WindowsXP-KB925902-x86-ENU.exe and reboot without a blue screen.
I should note I installed Internet Explorer 7 along with 70 updates without a reboot in between (I was not asked to reboot). This could have something to do with it.
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