Last night I was using our laptop, getting it ready for some traveling we’re going to be doing, when it downloaded an update from Microsoft. I let it install and shut down, as per the usual.
When I tried to boot it up again, I got Fatal System Error c000021a. From what I’ve seen, the most common fix for the fix Microsoft’s fix has put me in, is to reinstall Windows, obliterating all user data on the machine. Thanks, Microsoft.
I found where one guy used a Linux boot disc (Knoppix, in case you’re wondering) to recover his Windows PC from this error, so I’m going to try that first. Since this is our laptop rather than one of our primary computers, we don’t think there’s anything on it we’re loath to lose, but if we do end up having to wipe the hard drive and reinstall, it won’t be with Windows.
Meanwhile, we have a weekend trip ahead so I’d be engaging in less than usual online activity even if the laptop weren’t sick.
