Fatal System Error!

Question

Hi...
I have a big problem...Started up my Dimension2400 and got a blue screen with this message.....

C00021A fatal system error

session manager initialzation system process terminated unexpectedly with a statis of...

ox000026c (oxoooooooo-oxoooooooo)

the system has been shut down.

I hope this isn't as serious as it looks!

By the way, I have windowsXP SP2

ManyDimensions · Answer

Not stupid at all....   Known good system RAM is memory removed from a known good working computer or brand new memory. System RAM or memory comes in sticks or bars known as DDR or DDR2 system memory.   The exact type used in your computer can be found on the DELL site by looking up the specifications for your computer.   I am making the assumption that you have access to a working computer since you are posting here about one that won't boot.

gonavy123 · Answer

AHHHHH... What exactly does THAT mean??!! PS: I hate to sound stupid but....

ManyDimensions · Answer

Try hitting F8 key as the system is booting up to get into the OS start menu.   You will want to try starting Windows in SAFE MODE.   If you get the same message or a blue screen again, you have a hardware issue.

gonavy123 · Answer

Thanks......But I did try to boot in 'safe mode'.... same results...any ideas??

ManyDimensions · Answer

Bluescreen in Safe Mode suggests either system RAM or Video problems.   If I remember correctly, and I am sure I will be corrected if I am wrong, the 2400 series Dell does not have an auxillary video adapter slot.   You are now limited to substituting known good system RAM and crossing your fingers.

RoHe · Answer

Reboot and press F12 before XP starts to load. Follow the prompts to the utility partiion where you can run hardware diagnostics. Run all RAM and hard drive tests. If you get any error messages, copy them down, and if you're under warranty, contact Dell for repairs.

If hardware passes the tests, boot and press F8 before XP starts to load, select "Last known good". If that fails, boot from XP CD to the Recovery Console. You may have to change boot sequence in BIOS (F2 before XP loads) to make optical drive first in the boot sequence. Before exiting BIOS setup put XP CD in the drive, now save the change to BIOS and exit. It should boot from the CD. When you get to the c:\ prompt, type in:

chkdsk c:/r (press enter)

chkdsk will scan the hard drive for bad sectors and attempt to recover the info. This can take a l-o-n-g time and cannot be interrupted. If you're lucky...

Ron

gonavy123 · Answer

Thanks!....I'll try that and let you know...

I have an extra RAM chip (?) I'm going to see if it

works...If it does, I'll know thats the problem...but

I'll try your idea first..

A friend of mine will help me do it..

Again, thanks to all..

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Fatal System Error!

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