session3_initialization_failed

mrcrumpet · February 19th, 2005, 02:41 PM

I am building my first PC, and I hooked up all my hardware, and now I am installing Windows XP home. The problem is when it gets to where it is about to load into installing, it says SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED on a blue screen with a STOP message. I've searched on google for a solution to this but it seems I can't find one.

amd 64 3200+
western digital sata raptor
1 gig corsair
gigabyte nforce3 ultra 939
antec 480 psu

Thanks.

Jarhed7276 · February 19th, 2005, 02:52 PM

What is the stop message?

mrcrumpet · February 19th, 2005, 03:05 PM

It's :
SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED
Check to make sure new stuff installed correctly, if continues disable/remove any new hardware.

Technical Information:
*** STOP 0x0000006f (0xc0000020, 0x00000000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

Jarhed7276 · February 19th, 2005, 03:47 PM

This is the only thing I could find on that error but it doesn't apply in your situation because it refers to an OS that is already installed.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;153742

However, since it says that the cause is "A file critical to system initialization, such as Smss.exe, may be missing or corrupted" I would check two things.

First check the XP disk to make sure there are no smudges or scratches on it.

Second Iwould check the memory. Even if it's new you can get a bad stick of ram every now and then. To check the memory download Memtest86 from www.memtest86.com. After the file is downloaded an extract must be done to uncompress the file(s). To extract right click on the downloaded file and select the "Extract All" option. The extract option will let you choose where the files will be extracted to. To build a bootable floppy go the the folder where the files were extracted and click on the Install icon. The floppy disk will appear to be unformatted by Windows after the install is complete. Run the test using one stick of ram at a time. If it shows errors you will need to replace the ram.

mrcrumpet · February 19th, 2005, 10:35 PM

FIXED!

Solution: Sony CD-Drive was faulty.

Jveek · April 21st, 2005, 10:49 AM

Mrcrumpet you are truly a genius !

Thanks for posting and ending my upgrade job from hell

The LG 52x drive was bad !

Thank you

sipherdios · January 9th, 2006, 02:23 PM

I was getting this error. I was also working on a Compaq Presario 1500 laptop. after trying to diagnose this problem.. and having no luck, i proceeded to try to find a solution, one night im sitting with the laptop, i hear a Whining noise... then a Clank clank clank (repeatedly) then some clicks. Good news though, I found out what the problem was, and if i pull out the hard drive, it STOPS MAKING THE NOISE!! bad news, all data on that hard drive is gone.

but hey, atleast i found out what was causing the problem.

barryvancleve · April 5th, 2007, 06:04 PM

This problem was killing me, I just ordered 10 new Cisco Servers (IBM's with Cisco cosmetics) and had this same issue. I could install 2003, 2K, but not XP. What I ended up doing was installing XP via external DVD drive that I had, and this worked. Now im going to Ghost this thing and have them all up and running in no time....

Jesus247 · July 28th, 2007, 01:38 PM

I did have a lot off help about this problem and after diagnose the whole problem I agree that a faulty cdrom from XP or other give this error!
Thx for looking
You never now where yu go
Jesus247

Rocktalk · January 28th, 2008, 06:52 PM

One method I found different from everyone was when I went to install the original LEGAL XP Home SE.

I received the same stop error message, BUT, when I installed it with my LEGAL XP Pro SE there were no error messages and all went well.

Go figure.