c000021a Windows XP Error During Installation

[brandondrury]

I just put together my first quad core rig. It's not exactly cutting edge but I expect to gain about 10x the CPU power. Going from a AMD Athlon 64 2800 to a Intel Q8200 quad core is a hell of step! I'm pumped! I managed to put the whole rig together (minus the case which I already had) for $395 and that included upgrading my C: drive from an old 60GB to a new SATA 3 - 700GB.

I ran into some real snags getting the c000021a error during the blue screen of death. I tried everything online including all kinds of crazy tricks I had never heard of after years of computer nerdom. It turned out Loading The Safe Defaults in the BIOS saved the day. Apparently I had done something weird.

Anyway I hope that helps.

Brandon

[garww]

Any idea what it was?? Video mapping ??

[brandondrury]

It turned out to be something I had done in the BIOS. I clicked on the "Load Optimized Defaults" feature and it fixed it. So I really have no idea!

Brandon

[fortyseven]

According to Microsoft, this error is displayed when there is a missing device driver dependency. As ususal with Microsoft, the explanation leaves you way more confused and actually tells you nothing.

[brandondrury]

Yeah, I actually bothered going to the Microsoft page (which I only do when I'm desperate) and then ended up even more desperate.

Why is it that Microsoft pages remind me so much of political speaches?

Brandon

[garww]

You didn't know that Windows was a political speech ?? : )

[fortyseven]

Over the years I've learned that if you have a Microsoft related problem - don't go to Microsoft for the solution; you'll just end up more confused and frustrated.