Knowledge Base

STOP Message: 0xC000021A During Logon Because of Bad PATH

Article ID: 116405

Article Last Modified on 10/31/2006

Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1

This article was previously published under Q116405

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: 0xC000021A {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: kbother KB116405