STOP Message: 0xC0000021A During Logon Because of Bad PATH

Last reviewed: May 15, 1997
Article ID: Q116405

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

If your AUTOEXEC.BAT file contains a PATH statement with unmatched percent characters ("%"), for example:

   PATH C:\;%PATH

when you log on, WINLOGON.EXE will terminate with an access violation and this STOP message will appear:

   STOP: 0xC0000021A {Fatal System Error}
   The Windows Logon Process system process terminated unexpectedly
   with a status of 0xC0000005.  The system has been shutdown.

CAUSE

Windows NT fails to detect a NULL pointer and subsequently, incorrectly de- references that pointer causing an access violation.

WORKAROUND

To regain access your computer, connect to it remotely over the network and edit or rename the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Alternately, if the file system is formatted as FAT, start MS-DOS and edit or rename your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1. This problem has been corrected in Windows NT Workstation and Windows NT Server version 3.5.

Additional query words: prodnt
Keywords : kbbug3.10 kbfix3.50 kbother ntboot
Version : 3.1
Platform : WINDOWS

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: May 15, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.