Stop 0xC000021A When Starting Task Manager with CTRL+ALT+DEL (183840)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
This article was previously published under Q183840

SYMPTOMS

The Task Manager can be started by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL and then clicking Task Manager on the Security dialog box. However, if there are many user environment variables defined, running Task Manager from the Security dialog box may cause a STOP C000021A exception error message.

CAUSE

The System Environment Block becomes corrupted by the Winlogon service if the size of the User Environment is significantly large. This can also be caused by the installation of many applications on a system.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 4.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/23/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbbug kbfix kbQFE KB183840
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