BAD_POOL_CALLER 0x000000C2 Error - can't get into Windows ..

Howdy All,

I'm working on a Toshiba Laptop with Windows XP Home for a friend.

When I try to boot it normally, I get an error message:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing
or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

You can atttmept to repair this file by starting Windows Setup
using the original Setup CD-ROM.
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.

I have used the recovery console before to replace SYSTEMS files, but then I
boot the Windows XP install disk, I get as far as 'Which Windows installation
would you like to log onto', and I press 1(the only choice) and ENTER, and
then I get this BSOD error:


BAD_POOL_CALLER

Technical information:

*** STOP: 0x000000C2 (0x00000043, 0xC2035000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

I can't boot into safe mode either, it gets as far as the SYSTEM file and
give me the first error list above.

I am at an impass, can anyone advise?

Thank you,
Brian

"Brian" <Brian DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote
> Howdy All,
>
> I'm working on a Toshiba Laptop with Windows XP Home for a friend.
>
> When I try to boot it normally, I get an error message:
>
> Windows could not start because the following file is missing
> or corrupt:
> \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
>
> You can atttmept to repair this file by starting Windows Setup
> using the original Setup CD-ROM.
> Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.
>
> I have used the recovery console before to replace SYSTEMS files, but then
> I
> boot the Windows XP install disk, I get as far as 'Which Windows
> installation
> would you like to log onto', and I press 1(the only choice) and ENTER, and
> then I get this BSOD error:
>
>
> BAD_POOL_CALLER
>
> Technical information:
>
> *** STOP: 0x000000C2 (0x00000043, 0xC2035000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)
>
> I can't boot into safe mode either, it gets as far as the SYSTEM file and
> give me the first error list above.
>
> I am at an impass, can anyone advise?

That error indicates a problem with a driver.
http://aumha.org/a/stop.htm
0x000000C2: BAD_POOL_CALLER

First make sure there is a full backup of important data on the drive. Take
the drive out and attach it to another XP computer via an adaptor, and copy
the important data. Then while still attached to the other system remotely
edit the registry per the information Kelly gave. Here is a link on how to
do this.

http://www.dougknox.com/
Win XP Tips
Advanced Registry Editing

Note that article gives a caveat about not using it with an OEM
installation. At this point there is nothing to loose, though. If that
doesn't work then it's a recovery/reinstall by the means provided by
Toshiba.
--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]