Error message when you restart a Windows Server 2003-based computer: "Stop c0000135 {Unable to Locate DLL}"

When you restart a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer, the computer stops responding. Additionally, you receive a Stop error message that resembles the following:

This problem occurs because of a file mismatch after a Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) installation is unsuccessful.

To resolve this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Use the Recovery Console to copy files to the computer

Note To perform this procedure, you must log on to the computer as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group. Also, if the computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may prevent you from completing this procedure.

1. Copy the Winsrv.dll file and the Basesrv.dll file from a Windows Server 2003 SP1-based computer to a floppy disk.
2. Insert the Windows Server 2003 CD into the Windows Server 2003-based computer's CD drive or DVD drive.
3. Restart the computer.
4. When you receive a message that prompts you to press any key to start from the CD, press a key.
   
   Note The computer must be configured to start from the CD drive or from the DVD drive. For more information about how to configure the computer to start from the CD drive or from the DVD drive, see the computer documentation, or contact the computer manufacturer.
5. When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
6. Select the Windows installation that you want to access, and then press ENTER.
7. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen. When you are prompted for a password, type the Administrator password, and then press ENTER.
8. Insert the floppy disk that you used in step 1 into the floppy disk drive.
9. At the command prompt, type the following commands. Press ENTER after each command.
   cd %windir%\system32
   ren winsrv.dll winsrv.dll.old
   ren basesrv.dll basesrv.dll.old
   copy a:\winsrv.dll %windir%\system32
   copy a:\basesrv.dll %windir%\system32
   Note In this step, %windir% represents the path of the Windows system folder. Typically, C:\Windows is the path of the Windows system folder. This step renames the current Winsrv.dll file and the Basesrv.dll file in the %Windir%\System32 folder. Additionally, this step copies the Winsrv.dll file and the Basesrv.dll file from the floppy disk to the %Windir%\System32 folder.
10. Remove the Windows Server 2003 CD from the CD drive or from the DVD drive.
11. Remove the floppy disk from the floppy disk drive.
12. Type exit, and then press ENTER to restart the computer.

Method 2: Use the Recovery Console to manually remove Windows Server 2003 SP1

Note You must log on to the computer as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group to perform this procedure. Also, if the computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may prevent you from completing this procedure. Use this method only if you archived Windows Server 2003 SP1 uninstall files when you installed Windows Server 2003 SP1.

1. Start the system in the Recovery Console.
   
   For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
   326215� How to use the Recovery Console on a Windows Server 2003-based computer that does not start
2. At a command prompt, type cd $ntservicepackuninstall$\spuninst batch spuninst.txt, and then press ENTER.
   
   Note If you archived the service pack uninstall files to a different folder when you ran the Windows Server 2003 SP1 Setup program, switch to that folder before you run the batch spuninst.txt command. The batch spuninst.txt command copies the archived Windows files back to their original locations.
3. After the batch command has run successfully, type the following commands at a command prompt, and then press ENTER after each command:
   
   CD ..
   CD ..
   CD System32\ConfigRen System system.old
   Ren System.sp system
   Ren software software.old
   Ren software.sp software
4. Remove the Windows Server 2003 CD from the CD drive or from the DVD drive. Type exit, and then press ENTER to restart the computer.
5. Make sure that the Administrators group and the System group have Full Control permissions for all the subfolders on drive C.
6. Make sure that there is sufficient free space on drive C for the installation.
7. Stop all nonessential services that are running on the computer.
8. Upgrade all the old drivers in the system.
9. Install Windows Server 2003 SP1.

Method 3: Perform an in-place upgrade

If you have installed Windows Server 2003 SP1 without archiving Windows Server 2003 SP1 uninstall files, repair the Windows Server 2003 SP1 installation by performing an in-place upgrade. For more information about how to perform an in-place upgrade, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: