STOP: 0XC0000143 Missing System File. Display_Driver.dll Is...

 Last reviewed: October 3, 1997
Article ID: Q170397

The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you start Windows NT, the following error message may appear: 

   STOP: 0xC0000143 [Missing System File] The required system file
   KERNEL_VIDEO_DRIVER.SYS is bad or missing.
This error message appears on the blue initialization screen before the Windows NT logon screen appears. The computer stops responding, and you cannot continue starting Windows NT.

CAUSE

This error occurs when the Device0 Registry entry for the installed video driver, as well as one of the fallback VGA drivers, is corrupted. For example, you will receive this error message if you delete the following key

(NOTE: Substitute your video driver name in place of MGA_MIL.) 

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlset\Services\mga_mil\Device0
as well as one of the following keys 

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlset\Services\VgaSave\Device0

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlset\Services\VgaStart\Device0

RESOLUTION

Boot to VGA mode and re-install your video controller. Perform the following steps to install a driver for your video adapter:

  1. In Control Panel, double-click Display.

  2. Click the Settings tab, click Display Type, and then click Change.

  3. Choose your adapter manufacturer from the drop-down list. Under Display, choose the specific model of your adapter. After you locate the appropriate video driver, click OK.

    -or-

    If you are using a third-party driver:

    Click Have Disk and then click Browse to browse the path to the location for the appropriate video driver for your display adapter. After you locate the appropriate video driver, click OK, read the message about third-party hardware vendors, and then click Yes.

  4. Click Reboot when you are prompted.

NOTE: The above procedure will not work in situations involving PC Anywhere 7.5 or Remotely Possible. These applications replace Vga.dll and Msgina.dll with their own versions. If those files are not copied properly (or if you attempt to upgrade from Windows NT 3.51 to 4.0 with these services enabled), you will get the 0xC0000143 blue screen STOP message.

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q162577
   TITLE     : STOP: C0000143 MISSING DISPLAY_DRIVER.DLL
If reinstalling your video adapter does not work, you can try one of the following: 

   - Select Last Known Good by pressing the spacebar after you select the
      appropriate Windows NT selection in the Boot.ini file.

   -or-

   - Use an emergency repair disk to replace the System configuration hive
      of the registry.

   -or-

   - Restore your entire registry from tape backup.

Keywords          : ntsetup NTSrvWkst kbsetup
Version           : WinNT:3.5,3.51,4.0
Platform          : winnt

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Last reviewed: October 3, 1997
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