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"Stop error code 0xC0000221 (STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH)" error message occurs

Article ID: 314474 - View products that this article applies to.

This article was previously published under Q314474

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SYMPTOMS

You may receive any one of the following Stop error messages:

STOP: C0000221 unknown hard error
Path\File_name

STOP: 0xC0000221 unknown hard error
C:\Winnt\System32\Ntdll.dll (or another specific file or driver)

STOP: 0xC0000221 STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH
Path\File_name

For additional symptom details, see the “More Information” section.

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CAUSE

This problem may occur if the file that is described in the error message is corrupted. The following files are checked for integrity when Microsoft Windows XP starts:

All driver files (except those that are loaded by the system loader to start. the computer)
All dynamic-link libraries (DLLs), including User, Graphics Device Interface (GDI), Shell, Kernel, Ntdll, Crtdll, and others.

This problem may occur if you install an inappropriate driver for your hardware. For example, you receive one of the error messages that are described in the "Summary" section if you install a MIPS driver on an X86-based computer.

This problem may occur if an Iomega Zip drive is on the same integrated device electronics (IDE) cable as the hard disk drive.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain a new copy of the corrupted file or reinstall Windows XP. If you continue to receive any one of the error messages that are described in the "Summary" section after you reinstall Windows XP, a hardware problem or a network problem may exist.

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MORE INFORMATION

This error message may be displayed in many different formats, including an error message that is displayed on a blue screen or an error message that is displayed in a dialog box. The type of format that the error message is displayed in depends on how much of the operating system was loaded when the corrupted file was detected.

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