Windows XP SP3 BSoD Endless Reboot Loop with Stop c0000139 on GDI32.dll Error

Microsoft spent couple of weeks to fix endless and repetitive system restart loop issue when users attempt to Windows Vista SP1, but the computer cannot startup with continuous reboot loop problem spreads to Windows XP as well. After users installed Windows XP SP3 beta or RC release or a hotfix, and restart the PC, the computer will repetitively and automatically reboot suddenly nonstop, unable to log on to Windows desktop with the infamous BSoD (Blue Screen of Death) with the following error messages.

STOP: c0000139 {Entry Point Not Found}

The procedure entry point GdiGetBitmapBitSize could not be located in the dynamic link library GDI32.dll.

Or,

STOP: c0000139

The procedure entry point SMapLS_IP_EBP_24 could not be located in the daynamic link library Kernel32.dll.

The BSoD reboot loop may happen right after installation of Windows XP SP3 too without computer restarting. The computer cannot even to boot to Safe Mode, and hence has no way to uninstall the Service Pack 3 for Windows XP to try to restore to previous state to resolve the problem.

Shashank Bansal explained in TechNet forums that the issue happens when users install SP3 with build version v.3311 or v.3244 or earlier. A security update KB948590 (MS08-021) which contains updated and newer GDI32.dll stops installation of SP3 version of GDI32.dll on the system due to file version differences. Hence the system encounters conflict and stop halt. If users doesn’t disable the setting to reboot the computer on error, the Windows will force to restart.

The solution is to restore the GDI32.dll from the service pack into Windows system folder with the following steps:

1. Boot from a Windows CD or BartPE.
2. At Welcome to Setup screen, press “R” to start repair option and open up a Recovery Console’s command prompt window.
3. Select the Windows installation to use, normally is C:\Windows and just one option. If so, press “1″ and hit Enter.
4. If prompted for administrator password, enter the password (normally blank) and hit Enter.
5. Make a backup of existing GDI32.dll in system folder with following command:

   REN C:\Windows\System32\GDI32.dll C:\Windows\System32\GDI32.dll.orig

   Replace “C” of the drive letter of your Windows installation drive if necessary.

6. Then copy backup GDI32.dll from c:\windows\servicepackfiles\i386\gdi32.dll to the system folder with the following commands:

   copy C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386\GDI32.dll C:\Windows\System32\GDI32.dll

   Replace “C” with your own system drive letter if applicable.

7. Restart computer.

If you don’t have the original Windows XP CD, or been asked for administrator password which you don’t have or doesn’t set and hence unable to run restore options, try to boot from any other bootable floppy diskette, or bootable CD/DVD. If you’re on dual-boot system, it’s possible to boot from another OS to access the Windows XP installation, but make sure you use the proper path.

To avoid the reboot loop issue cause by GDI32.dll, and ensure that the system doesn’t expose to exploit vulnerability, install Windows XP SP3 RC2 Refresh v.5508, which has latest and updated GDI32.dll version 6.0.2900.3316 installed by KB948590.

Related Articles

• Windows XP SP3 with Service Pack 3 Full Installation CD ISO Image Relased on MSDN/TechNet
• Fix Deleted SAM File Causing Windows Vista Unable to Boot Error
• Windows Vista Failed to Start with ntkrnlpa.exe or ntoskrnl.exe 0xc0000428 Error Status
• Windows Vista Product Key for Simplified Chinese Is Not Transferable to Other Language
• USB Unknown Device Drive Issue, Not Working, Recognized or Connected Error After Upgrading and Installing Vista SP1
• Endless Reboot Loop While “Configuring Updates: Stage 3 of 3″ During Vista SP1 Installation
• System Halt 0xc0000034 Error When Boot Up After Installing Windows Vista SP1
• Windows Vista Fails or Unable to Hibernate Problem after Installing SP1
• Windows Vista SP1 Failed to Install with WU Error Code 800704C8 or 80041315
• Fix USB Issues in Windows Vista with KB941600 Cumulative Updates for USB Core Components

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 17th, 2008 at 3:47 pm and is filed under Windows XP. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.