Unmountable Boot Volume AND Session3 Initialization Failed
in [Help and Support]
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From: Felix on 8 Jun 2010 03:36 I'm running a Lenovo laptop with PGP Encryption Windows XP SP3 SATA hard drive. This is my work laptop I've had since October 2008 without issue. I'm somewhat of a low-level techie working permanently from home and my company's IT Dept is 2000 miles away. But these following errors/BSODs escapes me. Two days ago, the system stalled and I elected to hard reboot the system. When it came back up, I logged into PGP login screen as usual and received the 'Safe Mode' screen options. I clicked 'Start Windows Normally' option, the Windows Logo boot screen appears like it's gonna load the OS but then it BSODs to "Session3 Initialization Failed STOP:0x0000006F (0xC000000E,0x00000000,0x00000000,0x00000000)". Rebooting and selecting any of the three Safe Mode options and 'Last Known Config' results in the same BSOD error message. I removed my USB devices and the network cable from laptop. Only power cable is connected...wireless is disabled. I had some Lenovo ThinkPad system recovery CDs. Although I've never backed up my hard drive (HDD), I booted to those recovery CDs. But they did not detect the laptop's HDD. Hmmm? I select F1 to check if HDD is listed and what order in boot list. I move it above the CDRom Drive. While in BIOS, I ran a hard drive diagnostic and the HDD was detected and passed diagnostics!! WooHoo! So I used a recovery tool embedded in BIOS called ThinkVantage. When I run it, it gives me three options...1. it takes me back to the BIOS options page, or 2. connect to an external USB device or 3. reboot PC. I choose to reboot PC since there's no other changes needed to BIOS and it boots back to the PGP encryption page. After entering my company password, the next screen gives me an option to select F11 and enter a 'system recovery mode'. After selecting F11, I receive...BSOD "Unmountable Boot Volume - STOP: 0x000000ED (0x89A3E550, 0xC000014F, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)". So I hard rebooted onto a Windows XP Install CD to run Recovery Console so that I could at least run checkdisk or fixboot. After selecting 'R' to run Recovery Console, the Installation prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on the system!!! If so, how is it that my laptop runs successful HDD diags and the OS almost boots if I select 'Start Windows Normally/Last Known Config'? If I plug in an external USB HDD, the Recovery Console detects it as the (C:) drive. If I unplug external USB HDD, reboot and run Recovery Console again, the Installation still prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on the system!!! I've seen this before back in the day using IDE drives. I'd simply slave it out, mount it and copy corrupt HDD files to new HDD. What I've found so far is that the Smss.exe file may be corrupted by virus...that's where Recovery Console comes in right?Is this possible with SATA? Is there an adapter I can buy to connect HDD to USB port or even if I do, wouldn't I come into problems with my PGP encryption program? Thanks in advance for your response(s)!
From: Jose on 8 Jun 2010 07:42 On Jun 8, 3:36 am, Felix <Fe...(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > I'm running a Lenovo laptop with PGP Encryption Windows XP SP3 SATA hard > drive. This is my work laptop I've had since October 2008 without issue. I'm > somewhat of a low-level techie working permanently from home and my company's > IT Dept is 2000 miles away. But these following errors/BSODs escapes me. Two > days ago, the system stalled and I elected to hard reboot the system. When it > came back up, I logged into PGP login screen as usual and received the 'Safe > Mode' screen options. I clicked 'Start Windows Normally' option, the Windows > Logo boot screen appears like it's gonna load the OS but then it BSODs to > "Session3 Initialization Failed STOP:0x0000006F > (0xC000000E,0x00000000,0x00000000,0x00000000)". Rebooting and selecting any > of the three Safe Mode options and 'Last Known Config' results in the same > BSOD error message. I removed my USB devices and the network cable from > laptop. Only power cable is connected...wireless is disabled. I had some > Lenovo ThinkPad system recovery CDs. Although I've never backed up my hard > drive (HDD), I booted to those recovery CDs. But they did not detect the > laptop's HDD. Hmmm? I select F1 to check if HDD is listed and what order in > boot list. I move it above the CDRom Drive. While in BIOS, I ran a hard drive > diagnostic and the HDD was detected and passed diagnostics!! WooHoo! So I > used a recovery tool embedded in BIOS called ThinkVantage. When I run it, it > gives me three options...1. it takes me back to the BIOS options page, or 2. > connect to an external USB device or 3. reboot PC. I choose to reboot PC > since there's no other changes needed to BIOS and it boots back to the PGP > encryption page. After entering my company password, the next screen gives me > an option to select F11 and enter a 'system recovery mode'. After selecting > F11, I receive...BSOD "Unmountable Boot Volume - STOP: 0x000000ED > (0x89A3E550, 0xC000014F, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)". So I hard rebooted onto a > Windows XP Install CD to run Recovery Console so that I could at least run > checkdisk or fixboot. After selecting 'R' to run Recovery Console, the > Installation prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on the > system!!! If so, how is it that my laptop runs successful HDD diags and the > OS almost boots if I select 'Start Windows Normally/Last Known Config'? If I > plug in an external USB HDD, the Recovery Console detects it as the (C:) > drive. If I unplug external USB HDD, reboot and run Recovery Console again, > the Installation still prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on > the system!!! I've seen this before back in the day using IDE drives. I'd > simply slave it out, mount it and copy corrupt HDD files to new HDD. What > I've found so far is that the Smss.exe file may be corrupted by > virus...that's where Recovery Console comes in right?Is this possible with > SATA? Is there an adapter I can buy to connect HDD to USB port or even if I > do, wouldn't I come into problems with my PGP encryption program? Thanks in > advance for your response(s)! I hope you have not FUBAR'd your system with experimental troubleshooting methods. Here is my standard response to your first symptom. If you mean you are getting a STOP error that says something like: SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED *** STOP: 0x0000006F (0xc0000034, 00000000, 00000000, 00000000) The usual culprit is some (poorly designed) antivirus software - perhaps Avast!, AVG or Avira that has deleted or quarantined necessary XP files such as the Windows Session Manager file: c:\windows\system32\smss.exe I suppose it could have been really infected and quarantined, but that has never been my experience. What antivirus software are you running and did you just use it prior to this incident? If the files have been quarantined or deleted, you can replace them from the copies that are already on your HDD, but to do so you must boot your system into the Windows XP Recovery Console. Boot into the Windows Recovery Console using a bootable XP installation CD, or create on a bootable XP Recovery Console CD. This is not the same as any recovery disks that might have come a store bought system. If you are not sure what kind of bootable CD you have, make a bootable XP Recovery Console CD and be sure. You can create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD when no XP media is available by following the directions in this link: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html There are three possibilities for these missing files that result in the SESSION3 or SESSION5 type message: Windows\System32\smss.exe <--most likely, so replace this one first Windows\System32\ntdll.dll Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe After booting into the XP Recovery Console, you should be in the C: \WINDOWS folder. If you are not in the C:\WINDOWS folder you have some other problem that you need to fix first. When copying files, you may be replacing existing files with the copies, so respond in the affirmative if asked to overwrite existing files. If the copy succeeds, you should see a message that the file was copied successfully. In the Recovery Console, from the C:\WINDOWS prompt, enter the following commands: cd system32 copy c:\windows\system32\dllcache\smss.exe exit (your system will restart) Depending on your system configuration, you may need to copy the files from another location, so if they are not in the dllcache folder for some reason, enter the commands like this: cd system32 copy c:\windows\ServicePackFiles\i386\smss.exe exit (your system will restart) If the problem persists, repeat the process for the other two files: ntdll.dll ntoskrnl.exe
From: Felix on 8 Jun 2010 11:48 Thanks Jose. I have SAV v11. After VPN'ing into company network repeatedly over 8 months ago to present, Network Admins scheduled SAV to run everyday at 12:02am. My system crashed at 3:11am while browsing the 'Net. But when I run Recovery Console from a Windows bootable Recovery Console CD (ie, Windows XP Install CD), the installation prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on the system. But the HDD diagnostic I run via BIOS indicates that HDD drive tests just fine. Any thoughts? "Jose" wrote: > On Jun 8, 3:36 am, Felix <Fe...(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > > I'm running a Lenovo laptop with PGP Encryption Windows XP SP3 SATA hard > > drive. This is my work laptop I've had since October 2008 without issue. I'm > > somewhat of a low-level techie working permanently from home and my company's > > IT Dept is 2000 miles away. But these following errors/BSODs escapes me. Two > > days ago, the system stalled and I elected to hard reboot the system. When it > > came back up, I logged into PGP login screen as usual and received the 'Safe > > Mode' screen options. I clicked 'Start Windows Normally' option, the Windows > > Logo boot screen appears like it's gonna load the OS but then it BSODs to > > "Session3 Initialization Failed STOP:0x0000006F > > (0xC000000E,0x00000000,0x00000000,0x00000000)". Rebooting and selecting any > > of the three Safe Mode options and 'Last Known Config' results in the same > > BSOD error message. I removed my USB devices and the network cable from > > laptop. Only power cable is connected...wireless is disabled. I had some > > Lenovo ThinkPad system recovery CDs. Although I've never backed up my hard > > drive (HDD), I booted to those recovery CDs. But they did not detect the > > laptop's HDD. Hmmm? I select F1 to check if HDD is listed and what order in > > boot list. I move it above the CDRom Drive. While in BIOS, I ran a hard drive > > diagnostic and the HDD was detected and passed diagnostics!! WooHoo! So I > > used a recovery tool embedded in BIOS called ThinkVantage. When I run it, it > > gives me three options...1. it takes me back to the BIOS options page, or 2. > > connect to an external USB device or 3. reboot PC. I choose to reboot PC > > since there's no other changes needed to BIOS and it boots back to the PGP > > encryption page. After entering my company password, the next screen gives me > > an option to select F11 and enter a 'system recovery mode'. After selecting > > F11, I receive...BSOD "Unmountable Boot Volume - STOP: 0x000000ED > > (0x89A3E550, 0xC000014F, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)". So I hard rebooted onto a > > Windows XP Install CD to run Recovery Console so that I could at least run > > checkdisk or fixboot. After selecting 'R' to run Recovery Console, the > > Installation prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on the > > system!!! If so, how is it that my laptop runs successful HDD diags and the > > OS almost boots if I select 'Start Windows Normally/Last Known Config'? If I > > plug in an external USB HDD, the Recovery Console detects it as the (C:) > > drive. If I unplug external USB HDD, reboot and run Recovery Console again, > > the Installation still prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on > > the system!!! I've seen this before back in the day using IDE drives. I'd > > simply slave it out, mount it and copy corrupt HDD files to new HDD. What > > I've found so far is that the Smss.exe file may be corrupted by > > virus...that's where Recovery Console comes in right?Is this possible with > > SATA? Is there an adapter I can buy to connect HDD to USB port or even if I > > do, wouldn't I come into problems with my PGP encryption program? Thanks in > > advance for your response(s)! > > I hope you have not FUBAR'd your system with experimental > troubleshooting methods. > > Here is my standard response to your first symptom. > > If you mean you are getting a STOP error that says something like: > > SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED > > *** STOP: 0x0000006F (0xc0000034, 00000000, 00000000, 00000000) > > The usual culprit is some (poorly designed) antivirus software - > perhaps Avast!, AVG or Avira that has deleted or quarantined necessary > XP files such as the Windows Session Manager file: > > c:\windows\system32\smss.exe > > I suppose it could have been really infected and quarantined, but that > has never been my experience. > > What antivirus software are you running and did you just use it prior > to this incident? > > If the files have been quarantined or deleted, you can replace them > from the copies that are already on your HDD, but to do so you must > boot your system into the Windows XP Recovery Console. > > Boot into the Windows Recovery Console using a bootable XP > installation CD, or create on a bootable XP Recovery Console CD. > > This is not the same as any recovery disks that might have come a > store bought system. If you are not sure what kind of bootable CD you > have, make a bootable XP Recovery Console CD and be sure. > > You can create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD when no XP media is > available by following the directions in this link: > > http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html > > There are three possibilities for these missing files that result in > the SESSION3 or SESSION5 type message: > > Windows\System32\smss.exe <--most likely, so replace this one first > Windows\System32\ntdll.dll > Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe > > After booting into the XP Recovery Console, you should be in the C: > \WINDOWS folder. If you are not in the C:\WINDOWS folder you have > some other problem that you need to fix first. > > When copying files, you may be replacing existing files with the > copies, so respond in the affirmative if asked to overwrite existing > files. If the copy succeeds, you should see a message that the file > was copied successfully. > > In the Recovery Console, from the C:\WINDOWS prompt, enter the > following commands: > > cd system32 > copy c:\windows\system32\dllcache\smss.exe > exit (your system will restart) > > Depending on your system configuration, you may need to copy the files > from another location, so if they are not in the dllcache folder for > some reason, enter the commands like this: > > cd system32 > copy c:\windows\ServicePackFiles\i386\smss.exe > exit (your system will restart) > > If the problem persists, repeat the process for the other two files: > > ntdll.dll > ntoskrnl.exe > . >
From: Jose on 8 Jun 2010 13:40 On Jun 8, 11:48 am, Felix <Fe...(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > Thanks Jose. I have SAV v11. After VPN'ing into company network repeatedly > over 8 months ago to present, Network Admins scheduled SAV to run everyday at > 12:02am. My system crashed at 3:11am while browsing the 'Net. But when I run > Recovery Console from a Windows bootable Recovery Console CD (ie, Windows XP > Install CD), the installation prompts me that there aren't any drives > installed on the system. > > But the HDD diagnostic I run via BIOS indicates that HDD drive tests just > fine. Any thoughts? > > > > "Jose" wrote: > > On Jun 8, 3:36 am, Felix <Fe...(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > > > I'm running a Lenovo laptop with PGP Encryption Windows XP SP3 SATA hard > > > drive. This is my work laptop I've had since October 2008 without issue. I'm > > > somewhat of a low-level techie working permanently from home and my company's > > > IT Dept is 2000 miles away. But these following errors/BSODs escapes me. Two > > > days ago, the system stalled and I elected to hard reboot the system. When it > > > came back up, I logged into PGP login screen as usual and received the 'Safe > > > Mode' screen options. I clicked 'Start Windows Normally' option, the Windows > > > Logo boot screen appears like it's gonna load the OS but then it BSODs to > > > "Session3 Initialization Failed STOP:0x0000006F > > > (0xC000000E,0x00000000,0x00000000,0x00000000)". Rebooting and selecting any > > > of the three Safe Mode options and 'Last Known Config' results in the same > > > BSOD error message. I removed my USB devices and the network cable from > > > laptop. Only power cable is connected...wireless is disabled. I had some > > > Lenovo ThinkPad system recovery CDs. Although I've never backed up my hard > > > drive (HDD), I booted to those recovery CDs. But they did not detect the > > > laptop's HDD. Hmmm? I select F1 to check if HDD is listed and what order in > > > boot list. I move it above the CDRom Drive. While in BIOS, I ran a hard drive > > > diagnostic and the HDD was detected and passed diagnostics!! WooHoo! So I > > > used a recovery tool embedded in BIOS called ThinkVantage. When I run it, it > > > gives me three options...1. it takes me back to the BIOS options page, or 2. > > > connect to an external USB device or 3. reboot PC. I choose to reboot PC > > > since there's no other changes needed to BIOS and it boots back to the PGP > > > encryption page. After entering my company password, the next screen gives me > > > an option to select F11 and enter a 'system recovery mode'. After selecting > > > F11, I receive...BSOD "Unmountable Boot Volume - STOP: 0x000000ED > > > (0x89A3E550, 0xC000014F, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)". So I hard rebooted onto a > > > Windows XP Install CD to run Recovery Console so that I could at least run > > > checkdisk or fixboot. After selecting 'R' to run Recovery Console, the > > > Installation prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on the > > > system!!! If so, how is it that my laptop runs successful HDD diags and the > > > OS almost boots if I select 'Start Windows Normally/Last Known Config'? If I > > > plug in an external USB HDD, the Recovery Console detects it as the (C:) > > > drive. If I unplug external USB HDD, reboot and run Recovery Console again, > > > the Installation still prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on > > > the system!!! I've seen this before back in the day using IDE drives. I'd > > > simply slave it out, mount it and copy corrupt HDD files to new HDD. What > > > I've found so far is that the Smss.exe file may be corrupted by > > > virus...that's where Recovery Console comes in right?Is this possible with > > > SATA? Is there an adapter I can buy to connect HDD to USB port or even if I > > > do, wouldn't I come into problems with my PGP encryption program? Thanks in > > > advance for your response(s)! > > > I hope you have not FUBAR'd your system with experimental > > troubleshooting methods. > > > Here is my standard response to your first symptom. > > > If you mean you are getting a STOP error that says something like: > > > SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED > > > *** STOP: 0x0000006F (0xc0000034, 00000000, 00000000, 00000000) > > > The usual culprit is some (poorly designed) antivirus software - > > perhaps Avast!, AVG or Avira that has deleted or quarantined necessary > > XP files such as the Windows Session Manager file: > > > c:\windows\system32\smss.exe > > > I suppose it could have been really infected and quarantined, but that > > has never been my experience. > > > What antivirus software are you running and did you just use it prior > > to this incident? > > > If the files have been quarantined or deleted, you can replace them > > from the copies that are already on your HDD, but to do so you must > > boot your system into the Windows XP Recovery Console. > > > Boot into the Windows Recovery Console using a bootable XP > > installation CD, or create on a bootable XP Recovery Console CD. > > > This is not the same as any recovery disks that might have come a > > store bought system. If you are not sure what kind of bootable CD you > > have, make a bootable XP Recovery Console CD and be sure. > > > You can create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD when no XP media is > > available by following the directions in this link: > > >http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html > > > There are three possibilities for these missing files that result in > > the SESSION3 or SESSION5 type message: > > > Windows\System32\smss.exe <--most likely, so replace this one first > > Windows\System32\ntdll.dll > > Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe > > > After booting into the XP Recovery Console, you should be in the C: > > \WINDOWS folder. If you are not in the C:\WINDOWS folder you have > > some other problem that you need to fix first. > > > When copying files, you may be replacing existing files with the > > copies, so respond in the affirmative if asked to overwrite existing > > files. If the copy succeeds, you should see a message that the file > > was copied successfully. > > > In the Recovery Console, from the C:\WINDOWS prompt, enter the > > following commands: > > > cd system32 > > copy c:\windows\system32\dllcache\smss.exe > > exit (your system will restart) > > > Depending on your system configuration, you may need to copy the files > > from another location, so if they are not in the dllcache folder for > > some reason, enter the commands like this: > > > cd system32 > > copy c:\windows\ServicePackFiles\i386\smss.exe > > exit (your system will restart) > > > If the problem persists, repeat the process for the other two files: > > > ntdll.dll > > ntoskrnl.exe > > . Hmmm... sounds like some hardware issue. You will not get far with the SESSION messages until you can boot on something. What does "my system crashed" mean exactly and what did you do after that to try to get going again? Was the power button, battery removal or any plug pulling involved? Did you make that Recovery Console CD or are you using something else and if something else is not a genuine bootable XP installation CD, make the RC CD as directed and be sure to test it for bootability in any other XP machine - like the machine you used to make the RC CD. You don't need the "what CD should I be booting on or if this CD even works at all" variable in your equation. Eliminate it. Is that what the message says when you try to boot on the CD: there aren't any drives installed on the system Here come the "slave the hard disk in another machine" ideas (perhaps) but what you describe sounds more fundamental. It would not hurt to reseat (unplug/replug) all the connections to and from the HDD if that is feasible. You must overcome this non booting non recognizing the HDD situation first, then address remaining issues when you have the ability to maneuver. Are you able to provide the system make and model? Maybe somebody will recognize the symptom or we can look up some HW manuals and maybe get some idee-ers there.
From: John John - MVP on 8 Jun 2010 14:06
You need to load the SATA (Mass Storage) drivers to access the disk. You have to press F6 when prompted early on in the booting process and you have to supply the drivers on a floppy disk, which will probably be a problem with your laptop if it doesn't have a floppy drive. If you don't have a floppy drive to load the drivers you can try to put the drive in IDE mode (in the BIOS) or you can slipstream the drivers into the Windows XP CD. John Felix wrote: > Thanks Jose. I have SAV v11. After VPN'ing into company network repeatedly > over 8 months ago to present, Network Admins scheduled SAV to run everyday at > 12:02am. My system crashed at 3:11am while browsing the 'Net. But when I run > Recovery Console from a Windows bootable Recovery Console CD (ie, Windows XP > Install CD), the installation prompts me that there aren't any drives > installed on the system. > > But the HDD diagnostic I run via BIOS indicates that HDD drive tests just > fine. Any thoughts? > > "Jose" wrote: > >> On Jun 8, 3:36 am, Felix <Fe...(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: >>> I'm running a Lenovo laptop with PGP Encryption Windows XP SP3 SATA hard >>> drive. This is my work laptop I've had since October 2008 without issue. I'm >>> somewhat of a low-level techie working permanently from home and my company's >>> IT Dept is 2000 miles away. But these following errors/BSODs escapes me. Two >>> days ago, the system stalled and I elected to hard reboot the system. When it >>> came back up, I logged into PGP login screen as usual and received the 'Safe >>> Mode' screen options. I clicked 'Start Windows Normally' option, the Windows >>> Logo boot screen appears like it's gonna load the OS but then it BSODs to >>> "Session3 Initialization Failed STOP:0x0000006F >>> (0xC000000E,0x00000000,0x00000000,0x00000000)". Rebooting and selecting any >>> of the three Safe Mode options and 'Last Known Config' results in the same >>> BSOD error message. I removed my USB devices and the network cable from >>> laptop. Only power cable is connected...wireless is disabled. I had some >>> Lenovo ThinkPad system recovery CDs. Although I've never backed up my hard >>> drive (HDD), I booted to those recovery CDs. But they did not detect the >>> laptop's HDD. Hmmm? I select F1 to check if HDD is listed and what order in >>> boot list. I move it above the CDRom Drive. While in BIOS, I ran a hard drive >>> diagnostic and the HDD was detected and passed diagnostics!! WooHoo! So I >>> used a recovery tool embedded in BIOS called ThinkVantage. When I run it, it >>> gives me three options...1. it takes me back to the BIOS options page, or 2. >>> connect to an external USB device or 3. reboot PC. I choose to reboot PC >>> since there's no other changes needed to BIOS and it boots back to the PGP >>> encryption page. After entering my company password, the next screen gives me >>> an option to select F11 and enter a 'system recovery mode'. After selecting >>> F11, I receive...BSOD "Unmountable Boot Volume - STOP: 0x000000ED >>> (0x89A3E550, 0xC000014F, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)". So I hard rebooted onto a >>> Windows XP Install CD to run Recovery Console so that I could at least run >>> checkdisk or fixboot. After selecting 'R' to run Recovery Console, the >>> Installation prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on the >>> system!!! If so, how is it that my laptop runs successful HDD diags and the >>> OS almost boots if I select 'Start Windows Normally/Last Known Config'? If I >>> plug in an external USB HDD, the Recovery Console detects it as the (C:) >>> drive. If I unplug external USB HDD, reboot and run Recovery Console again, >>> the Installation still prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on >>> the system!!! I've seen this before back in the day using IDE drives. I'd >>> simply slave it out, mount it and copy corrupt HDD files to new HDD. What >>> I've found so far is that the Smss.exe file may be corrupted by >>> virus...that's where Recovery Console comes in right?Is this possible with >>> SATA? Is there an adapter I can buy to connect HDD to USB port or even if I >>> do, wouldn't I come into problems with my PGP encryption program? Thanks in >>> advance for your response(s)! >> I hope you have not FUBAR'd your system with experimental >> troubleshooting methods. >> >> Here is my standard response to your first symptom. >> >> If you mean you are getting a STOP error that says something like: >> >> SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED >> >> *** STOP: 0x0000006F (0xc0000034, 00000000, 00000000, 00000000) >> >> The usual culprit is some (poorly designed) antivirus software - >> perhaps Avast!, AVG or Avira that has deleted or quarantined necessary >> XP files such as the Windows Session Manager file: >> >> c:\windows\system32\smss.exe >> >> I suppose it could have been really infected and quarantined, but that >> has never been my experience. >> >> What antivirus software are you running and did you just use it prior >> to this incident? >> >> If the files have been quarantined or deleted, you can replace them >> from the copies that are already on your HDD, but to do so you must >> boot your system into the Windows XP Recovery Console. >> >> Boot into the Windows Recovery Console using a bootable XP >> installation CD, or create on a bootable XP Recovery Console CD. >> >> This is not the same as any recovery disks that might have come a >> store bought system. If you are not sure what kind of bootable CD you >> have, make a bootable XP Recovery Console CD and be sure. >> >> You can create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD when no XP media is >> available by following the directions in this link: >> >> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html >> >> There are three possibilities for these missing files that result in >> the SESSION3 or SESSION5 type message: >> >> Windows\System32\smss.exe <--most likely, so replace this one first >> Windows\System32\ntdll.dll >> Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe >> >> After booting into the XP Recovery Console, you should be in the C: >> \WINDOWS folder. If you are not in the C:\WINDOWS folder you have >> some other problem that you need to fix first. >> >> When copying files, you may be replacing existing files with the >> copies, so respond in the affirmative if asked to overwrite existing >> files. If the copy succeeds, you should see a message that the file >> was copied successfully. >> >> In the Recovery Console, from the C:\WINDOWS prompt, enter the >> following commands: >> >> cd system32 >> copy c:\windows\system32\dllcache\smss.exe >> exit (your system will restart) >> >> Depending on your system configuration, you may need to copy the files >> from another location, so if they are not in the dllcache folder for >> some reason, enter the commands like this: >> >> cd system32 >> copy c:\windows\ServicePackFiles\i386\smss.exe >> exit (your system will restart) >> >> If the problem persists, repeat the process for the other two files: >> >> ntdll.dll >> ntoskrnl.exe >> . >> |