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Windows XP fails to boot: " autochk program not found - skipping AUTOCHECK".

Hi, 
Our desktop is running Windows XP and now it fails to boot when we power on. 
It just loops and displays error message: " autochk program not found - skipping AUTOCHECK"
Do you have any advice to fix this problem?
Many thanks!

Regards, Michael.
Hi Michael.


First, what, if any changes have you made to the computer lately including the installation of any new programs, specifically, Norton Ghost, Registry Defense or any other software?

Do you have your Windows Xp disc handy?

What is the complete make and model of your computer?

What is your current anti-virus including any other security software you may have installed?

I have little doubt the underlying error is 0x21a but, we need to know for sure.

Restart the computer continually tapping the F8 key at the first screen as if going into safe mode. When you reach the Advanced Options menu scroll down to "Disable automatic restart on system failure. Reboot the computer. It will then go to a Blue screen of death. Write down the code and post it in your reply.

In the mean time, if you do not have a Windows Xp disc, follow the instructions HERE to create a Windows Xp Recovery Console
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I don't understand how people get into the situation...

I booted into RC and renamed my autochk.exe so it was "missing" and rebooted.

XP complained about is missing, but still boots just fine.

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Actually I do not believe the autochk.exe is missing. Based on my research many times this error appears it is the result of something like Norton Ghost changing the drive letter Windows looks for. That is not always the case but, most often is.
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Well, I hope to learn something.

The OP can always check in c\windows\system32 to see if the file is really missing, but since it is a protected file, it should never be missing and would take extra effort to delete it on purpose!

If the file really is there, then I will see what your Norton idea looks like.

If the MS Answers forums would prompt for some fundamental system information when a new question is asked, we would already know this information, huh?!

The Forum Owners are obviously not troubleshooters.

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autochk program not found - skipping AUTOCHECK".
I received this message after i install Ghost image on (HP CMT 7900 Windows xp )
and it's happen to me again  in another machine  which made me crazy really and it's the first time, i saw your previous answer and then disable automatic restart after failure  then received blue screen the error message:

STOP :C00021a fatal,
the session manager initialization system process terminated unexpectedly with a status of OX C (OX00000000 OX00000000)

Your advice.

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I was watching a video on Youtube called "Windows XP Failure" (without the quotes) and it had an "autochk  program not found skipping autochk" and then it showed its c000021a fatal system error.

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I was watching a video on Youtube called "Windows XP Failure" (without the quotes) and it had an "autochk  program not found skipping autochk" and then it showed its c000021a fatal system error.

Maybe try running a chkdsk using a recovery partition.

chkdsk c: /f /r /x

WARNING: It can take a long time.

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Last updated November 30, 2023 Views 16,614 Applies to: