IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error

[Will Denny]

Hi

Please try the following link to Jim Eshelman's web site - left hand column:

http://aumha.org/win5/kbestop.htm

 

[Guest]

I believe there is some device in your system which is not compatible with XP
OS, I request you to recheck all the device in Device Manager -> Resources to
identify the device

Raj

 

[Bogdan Giusca]

Hello,

I use Windows XP Professional and a couple days ago, suddenly, the
computer froze, so I had to reboot and then, after booting Windows XP I
get the error IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL on a blue screen.

This error is shown every time Windows is loaded (after the loading
screen, but before showing the desktop) and it does not allow me to
continue. ("A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down
to prevent damage to your computer")

This error should appear when something (hardware, drivers) changed, but
I did not made any modification to the computer in more than a month.

I tried reinstalling Windows (even a clean install to a different
directory), but I get the same error.

I searched the 'net for solutions and I tried:

* removing all USB devices
* removing the PCI TV Tuner card
* checking whether the fan is working
* checking the CPU temperature
* resetting the NVRAM
* loading CMOS defaults
* disabling all CMOS Cache and Shadowing options

but without any result.

However, Knoppix Linux, booting from CD, seems to be working fine. (I am
posting from it, on the computer with the Windows XP problem).

If you have any advice about this problem, please reply.

Thank you and best wishes,
Bogdan Giusca

 

[Bogdan Giusca]

I believe there is some device in your system which is not compatible with XP
OS, I request you to recheck all the device in Device Manager -> Resources to
identify the device

I cannot recheck the devices because I cannot run Windows. I get the
error each time I boot, before the Desktop is shown.

And I can't see what incompatibility could be, since the system worked
for more than a year in current configuration with Windows XP.

 

[Bogdan Giusca]

Hi

Please try the following link to Jim Eshelman's web site - left hand column:

http://aumha.org/win5/kbestop.htm

Thank you for that great link.

Just for the google archive record: I think this may be the problem:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=271955

("This behavior can occur when the random-access memory (RAM) on your
computer has become corrupt")

However, I cannot explain why Linux may work with a corrupt memory.

 

[David]

I have had exactly the same problem, with the same error
message, I have almost recovered my system now. The
problem started when I rebooted after installing SP2, if
this is the same for you then try the following. If I can
be of any help then please mail me and I'll try.

I'll explain what I did but I am a complete amateur so
please remember this.

I had to set up XP Prof boot floppys (using the microsoft
website) in order to start my Install CD. Using them to
get the install running I then re-installed only windows,
so that I didn't lose any of my data or applications.
This has been succesful up to now, all that is left to do
is activate the new install of XP, of course this is only
possible if my PC can actually communicate with microsoft
but I have been getting a busy message for the last 5
hours!

 

[Markus Loeffler]

Hello,

I use Windows XP Professional and a couple days ago, suddenly, the
computer froze, so I had to reboot and then, after booting Windows XP I
get the error IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL on a blue screen.

This error is shown every time Windows is loaded (after the loading
screen, but before showing the desktop) and it does not allow me to
continue. ("A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down
to prevent damage to your computer")

This error should appear when something (hardware, drivers) changed, but
I did not made any modification to the computer in more than a month.

I tried reinstalling Windows (even a clean install to a different
directory), but I get the same error.

this usually is a problem with (especially nvidia) graphics card
drivers. (can be other drivers as well)
are u sure, that windows update did not download & install any drivers?

 

[NoNoBadDog!]

Actually, in the overwhelming majority of cases this is related to corrupt
or bad physical RAM chips.

I had the exact same symptoms as the OP and it turned out that one of my RAM
modules went bad...it was el cheapo form Circuit City (PNY RAM sucks!)


See this KB article:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=271955

Bobby