Stop: 0xC000012F -Image File Did Not Have the Correct Format

• 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

You may receive the following error message as your computer restarts:

   Stop: 0xC000012F STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_NOT_MZ

   The specified image file did not have the correct format, it did not
   have an initial MZ.

CAUSE

This error is caused by the system being unable to load a needed file because of the file being corrupted. This usually occurs during the file copy process, and is often because of a hardware malfunction. It may be a one-time occurrence, but often is a signal for the user to do a through examination of system hardware to determine what is causing the corruption.

NOTE: The parameter 0xc000012f may also be seen in conjunction with other Trap Codes such as 0x0000006b and is usually shown as the first parameter following the trap:

STOP 0x0000006b (0xc000012f, 0xxxxxxxxx, 0xxxxxxxxx,0xxxxxxxxx)

WORKAROUND

Because this trap code is caused by a corrupted file required to load Windows NT, and the trap screen does not always reference which specific file caused the problem, the best solution is usually basic trouble shooting.

It is recommended to have a good back up of anything on the computer that the user considers valuable before proceeding with the different procedures.

Windows NT was Already Installed and Running

If the stop error occurred following a change in hardware drivers, press the space bar to select the Last Known Good option during startup, and then change the necessary components when the computer comes up.

Try selecting [VGA MODE] option from the boot menu, this will display the Windows NT system files on the screen as they are loaded and may give you a clue about which file is corrupt.

Use the Emergency Repair Disk to replace the missing or damaged driver file on the partition by following the procedure outlined in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base articles:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q103280
   TITLE     : Using an Emergency Repair Disk Created by Windows NT

   ARTICLE-ID: Q164471
   TITLE     : Replacing System Files Using a Modified Emergency Repair
               Disk

If Performing an Initial Windows NT Installation or Upgrade

If the computer has MS-DOS or another operating system installed, copy the i386 directory from the Windows NT installation CD to C:\i386, and at a command prompt carry out the following command:

   WINNT /b.

• When installing on a new computer with little or nothing else on it, reformat the hard drive and install using the three setup disks, or booting with DOS, copying the i386 directory, and carry out a WINNT /b command as above. If you are using the three setup disks, consider making a new set using the WINNT /ox switch to help eliminate the possibility of a bad floppy disk.
• Disable caching options and BIOS shadowing.
• Removing all possible hardware to take the computer down to a bare box with only one hard drive and controller in order to eliminate possible hardware conflicts.
• Ask the computers' manufacturer if a newer System BIOS is available, if so, flash the BIOS using the manufacturers instructions.