Steps to Fix Unable to Load Device Driver Error Messages

Unable to load Device Driver errors messages can often trouble Windows XP users. 

If you face this problem you are likely to receive error messages similar to the ones listed below: 

Error Message: “ STOP: 0xc0000221 [Unable to load device driver] Driver_Name ”  

This problem usually occurs when the driver file mentioned in the error message has either gone missing or has become corrupt. 

Error Message: “ STOP: 0xc0000221. Bad image check sum, the image user32.dll is possibly corrupt. The header check sum does not match the computed check sum.” 

As the error message states, it is displayed when the user32.dll file is missing or is corrupt. This is an essential Windows file, required to save instructions for graphical elements such as menus, Windows, and dialog boxes. 

Resolving the STOP: 0xc0000221 [Unable to load device driver] Problem 

To fix unable to load driver error caused by missing or damaged driver files, perform the following steps: 

1.      Boot your system with Windows XP installation disk and at the Welcome to Setup screen, press R. 

2.      If your PC is a multi-boot system, select the Windows XP operating installation you want to fix, and then provide the required credentials to start Recovery Console.  

On the Recovery Console command prompt, type the following commands and press Enter.  

cd c:\windows\system32\drivers  

ren DriverName.sys DriverName.bak 

copy F:\i386 DriverName c:\windows\system32\drivers 

Note : These commands enable you to change directory to the driver folder, rename the existing driver file, and then copy the healthy driver file from the Windows XP setup Disk. We use the following assumptions and variables for these commands: 

·         Windows is installed in C drive. 

·         You are accessing your CD or DVD from F drive. 

·         DriverName is the variable used to represent the faulty driver file.  

3.                  After you are done, type exit and restart your computer normally.  

Resolving user32.dll Error 

Let’s have a look at the steps to fix user32.dll error:

1.      Boot your system with Windows XP setup disk.

2.      Start Recovery Console.

3.      Type the following commands and press Enter:

cd windows\system32\drivers  

ren user32.dll user32.bak  

expand F:\i386\user32.dl_ c:\windows\system32\drivers 

Note : These commands enable you to change the directory to the driver folder, rename the existing driver file, and then expand and copy the healthy user32.dll file from the Windows XP setup Disk to the drivers folder. We use the following assumptions for these commands: 

·         Your Windows is installed in C drive. 

·         You are accessing your CD or DVD from F drive. 

4.      After you are done, type exit and restart your computer normally.  

Driver errors such as “unable to load driver” and “user 32.dll error” listed above become quite common when you fail to update your device drivers on a regular basis. Windows provides the Device Manager tool that you can use to perform various driver-related tasks. These include installing driver updates and uninstalling a corrupt driver. You can also use the tool to roll back any incorrect updates. Although useful, driver maintenance activity through this tool is a bit complex. This is the reason why, most of the non-technical computer users prefer to avoid using it.

To take care of the load driver error, or as some call it the load device drive error and user32.dll errors easily and effectively, you should get yourself a good driver scanner tool, such as Driver Robot. This tool has the capability to automatically scan your PC for outdated drivers, search for the best driver on the Internet, and then download and install it on your computer.