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:
- Boot from a Windows CD or BartPE.
- At Welcome to Setup screen, press “R” to start repair option and open up a Recovery Console’s command prompt window.
- Select the Windows installation to use, normally is C:\Windows and just one option. If so, press “1″ and hit Enter.
- If prompted for administrator password, enter the password (normally blank) and hit Enter.
- Make a backup of existing GDI32.dll in system folder with following command:
REN C:\Windows\System32\GDI32.dll C:\Windows\System32\GDI32.dll.origReplace “C” of the drive letter of your Windows installation drive if necessary.
- 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.dllReplace “C” with your own system drive letter if applicable.
- 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.
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May 2nd, 2008 05:19
[...] 3 Now! Maro, did you install the final version, or the RC/beta version? maybe this can help Windows XP SP3 BSoD Endless Reboot Loop with Stop c0000139 on GDI32.dll Error
May 2nd, 2008 03:13
[...] Get Windows XP Service Pack 3 Now! Maro, maybe this can help Windows XP SP3 BSoD Endless Reboot Loop with Stop c0000139 on GDI32.dll Error
April 30th, 2008 09:02
First I would like to appreciate for your instruction. It helps indeed.
I installed the SP3 today to total four computers (desktop/laptop both at home/office). 3 of the 4 computers got the issue. I reinstall the whole system in one laptop until I found this message. I replaced the GDI.dll file and now all the computers work.
I’m a little concern that some guy may only have one computer at hand and may not beware of this issue at all. After he/she updates the SP3 and got this issue, how frustrated they would be.
April 30th, 2008 08:18
Today I installed XP SP3 in my ThinkPad and Fujitsu laptop, both have the problem.
I already spend a couple of hours to reinstall the system and every software I need in Fujitsu.
Why Microsoft push a garbage software out without enough test??
April 30th, 2008 05:58
thanks for that, worked like a charm
April 30th, 2008 01:58
[...] encounter the Windows XP SP3 BSoD Endless Reboot Loop with Stop c0000139 on GDI32.dll Error, follow this guide to repair your XP installation. Thanks daPhoenix for the [...]
April 30th, 2008 01:55
[...] could not be located in the dynamic link library GDI32.dll. Fix/Work round is here It says Boot from a Windows CD or [...]
April 30th, 2008 01:05
how do you fix access denied in this case :C
cause every time i try to do something in recovery console i get “access denied”
April 29th, 2008 22:21
thanks, you saved my ass
April 29th, 2008 20:42
[...] encounter the Windows XP SP3 BSoD Endless Reboot Loop with Stop c0000139 on GDI32.dll Error, follow this guide to repair your XP installation. Thanks daPhoenix for the [...]
April 29th, 2008 20:14
[...] encounter the Windows XP SP3 BSoD Endless Reboot Loop with Stop c0000139 on GDI32.dll Error, follow this guide to repair your XP installation. Thanks daPhoenix for the tip! Link: Explanation on MSDN TechNet [...]
April 29th, 2008 13:14
thank u so much, i used Petter’s offline password editor to bypass the “access denied” error when trying to rename gdi32.dll from the recovery console (marvelous program)
you saved my life, thank you thank you thank you!!
April 29th, 2008 10:01
Muchas gracias !!!!
Exelente aporte
April 28th, 2008 09:47
Windows XP SP3 BSoD Endless Reboot Loop with Stop c0000139 on GDI32.dll Error
I have tried:
REN C:\Windows\System32\GDI32.dll C:\Windows\System32\GDI32.dll.orig
AND
copy C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386\GDI32.dll C:\Windows\System32\GDI32.dll
But nothing is working, HELP.
email me with answers tmarkiewicz8@aol.com
April 27th, 2008 23:48
Thank you very much: Saved me big trouble, because I just updated the computer of my girlfriend yesterday and I run into the reboot loop. But now it works and everyone is happy here.
Thanks!
April 26th, 2008 00:40
I have a dell Inspion 700m and it is not letting me access my CD drive it doesn’t have a floppy so i cant use that.
I have a 250GB external hard drive and 1GB flash drive is there a way i can do this using one of them?
April 25th, 2008 11:09
A few of my friends pointed me in this direction because of my clumsy install of SP3.
I have this problem, but with a twist. I am using an Asus P4P800-E Deluxe MB and using the Raid functionality for performance and safety. My logical C drive is a Raid 0 made up of 2 10,000 RPM WD SATA Raptor drives. When I attempt a Windows repair, Windows does not see my logical drives. It does appear to recognize that there are 4 devices, but no useable partitions. This occurs even with loading the Intel Raid driver when requested by Windows. My current plan for consideration is to attach another SATA drive to one of my open SATA ports that are not managed by the Raid chipset. Once that happens and I am able to run Windows, I will try your procedure above and replace the GDI32.dll. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
April 25th, 2008 06:22
I get “access is denied” whenever I try the REN command
April 24th, 2008 22:24
You probably need to load the driver for your hard disk controller.
April 24th, 2008 21:09
This doesn’t work for me. The Recovery Console claims I have no harddrive attached to my computer.
I tried booting with a few Linux LiveCDs (Knoppix, Ubuntu, Damn Small Linux) and none of the can find my harddrive either.
Seems SP3 have destroyed my harddrive properly…
April 24th, 2008 14:49
omg!thank you sooo much! u saved my life!!!
April 23rd, 2008 16:26
Thanks!
That did the trick. Simple and straight forward.
Just did a complete reinstall on my laptop did SP2, saw SP3 was available and imagine my irritation on the BSOB with an endless loop!
Keep up the good work
April 22nd, 2008 10:29
Thank you so much! I just installed this on my laptop a couple of hours ago and I couldn’t believe that I had gotten the endless reboot! I’ve kept this one going in great condition for 3 years and plan on another great 3!
April 22nd, 2008 05:16
Thank you so much for the advice. I wish people were as helpful in real life as they are in the tech community!
April 20th, 2008 17:37
Great advice. Did the trick.
Thanks
Stap