Question

Driver_IRQL error when installing Windows XP

Asked by: emeger

I have was lent a new computer (1.3GHz, 512k ram, CD-RW... a good machine)  that had Windows 2000 Servier loaded but the owner could not find the password. I want to load XP on the computer. After full formatting the hard drive, I loaded my XP CD (which is a demo version for now with a 30 day expiry). It copies the files to the hard drive, then has me reboot without the CD. Then it copies files to the installation directory and tries to install itself. After a bit, I get a blue screen of death with the following error:

IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
 
 A lot of text says basically to check that all new software and hardware is properly installed. Since there is no software, I removed all plugs from the back of the computer (printer, speakers etc) and tried again. Reformatting and re-installing... same result.
 
When it crashes it has TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
 
*** STOP: 0x000000D1 (0x82BF3BBC,0X0000002,0X0000000,0XF83D0EB1)
***       atapi.sys - Address F83D0EB1 base at F83CA000, DateStamp 3b7d83e5

Two possible clues: The Windows Server OS was originally set to a drive other than C: and I got C: back after reformatting with Partition Magic.   Second. There is a wire coing out of the back of the unit with a stereo plug attached to a jack. I think it is almost certainly for the built-in Micro-speakers. I tried unplugging that as well. I have reformatted 4 times all the way down to a minimal Keyboard, monitor, mouse configuration.  Always the same result.

This computer is pretty important to get going (it's loaner to me but not mine for the long run). Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
 

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Asked On
2003-10-18 at 08:18:48ID20770781
Tags

driver_irql

,

installing

,

xp

,

irql_not_less_or_equal

,

windows

Topic

General Computer Systems

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Answers

 

by: sunray_2003Posted on 2003-10-18 at 08:24:38ID: 9575942

 

by: PeteLongPosted on 2003-10-18 at 09:19:04ID: 9576096

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Stop Errors

Possibly the most annoying Stop error that you will ever see, essentially is a memory error caused by a driver or piece of software that has caused an error accessing memory, It can also be caused by defective/unsupported hardware, so prety much anything :0(

When you get the stop error it will be accompanied by some information i.e.

Stop: 0x0000000A (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4) IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL*** Address x has base at x - filename

The parameters refer to the specific issues that are involved:
Parameter 1 - An address that was referenced improperly
Parameter 2 - An IRQL that was required to access the memory
Parameter 3 - The type of access, where 0 is a read operation and 1 is a write operation
Parameter 4 - The address of the instruction that referenced memory in parameter 1

Make a note of the stop error ESPECIALLY the "filename" as this can point you to a defective driver or the software/hardware at the root of the problem. do a Google search on the "filename" To help you narrow it down.

This is what M$ has to say

>>Stop error 0x0000000A (Stop 0x0A) shows that there was an attempt in kernel
>>mode to touch pageable memory at too high a process internal request level
>>(IRQL). This error usually occurs when a driver uses an incorrect memory
>>address. Other possible causes of this error are an incompatible device driver,
>>a general hardware problem, and incompatible software.

If the "filename" above yeilds no results you need to do some basic troubleshooting

1. First check your Hardware is supported by Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com/hcl/

2. Then Check you RAM either by swapping it out or using...
http://www.memtest86.com/
http://www.simmtester.com/page/products/doc/docfeat.asp

3. Use the following to discover what is on your PC and get ALL the latest drivers, start with your graphics card.
Aida32
http://www.aida32.hu/aida-download.php?bit=32
Belarc Advisor
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

*****Links and Further Reading*****

Stop 0x0000000A or IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/reskit/prmd_stp_tnvo.asp

NT - Stop 0xA IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;162838

2000 - Troubleshooting "Stop 0x0A" Messages in Windows 2000 and Windows NT
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;165863

XP - Troubleshooting a Stop 0x0000000A Error in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314063

XP - "Stop 0x0000000A Irql_Not_Less_or_Equal" Error Message During Windows XP Upgrade
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;311564

0x0000000A: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
http://aumha.org/win5/kbestop.php#0x0a

 

by: emegerPosted on 2003-10-18 at 12:48:19ID: 9576891

THanks, I'll check out all the references above. It appears from the above that the problem shoudl be related to ATAPI.SYS. Given that I am working with a freshly formatted hard drive and an installation CD, how can I do anything about device drivers when the error occurs before the installation completes? Should I be looking at some low-level firmware?  Thanks.

 

by: emegerPosted on 2003-10-18 at 17:32:22ID: 9577678

Thanks for everything. It turned out to be the NIC card. I removed it, reinstalled Windows XP which worked fine. Once the OS was fully installed, I was able to reinstall the NIC card and reboot. Windows then found the correct drivers for it. Since then, no problems. Thanks for your help. The information provided gave me the clues I needed.

 

by: PeteLongPosted on 2003-10-19 at 04:08:03ID: 9578687

hehehe I sympathise Ive been there MANY MANY times :0)

Glad you got it sorted and ThanQ for the grade.

And Good Morning sunray_2003 (Having a good month I see ;-)

Pete

 

by: cassiopeiavinePosted on 2004-01-20 at 23:04:10ID: 10162019

Hi PeteLong. I have the same problem as emerger. I am using AMD Athlon XP 1800, with ECS L7VMM2 which has a built-in video, sound, USB, and LAN adapter. after unplugging all the other peripherals (CD drives, modem) i still get this STOP errer IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. I dont know how to eliminate the error since the adapters i mentioned aboved are all built-in into the motherboard. Please help me... Thanks

 

by: majicmancamPosted on 2004-01-26 at 15:52:27ID: 10205255

Hi, cassiopeiavine,
  I am using almost the identical motherboard (K7VMM)and processor (AMD ATHLON XP 1800) and I'm having the exact same problem.  I'd love to hear if you find a solution to the problem!

 

by: cassiopeiavinePosted on 2004-01-28 at 03:11:33ID: 10217111

Hi majicmancam,
    I found it, finally. Apparently it was my video card. too bad because its actually built into the motherboard and fixing it means changing the board itself... Fortunately i have a spare video card which i used instead of the one that comes with the board. This problem was finally solved. Try it too! maybe we have the same problem...

 

by: majicmancamPosted on 2004-01-30 at 15:06:14ID: 10239475

Hi cassiopeiavine,
  That sounds great!  But I already have an AGP video card.  I believe my computer uses both videos combined, how did you disable the onboard card?  I really look forward to any help you can provide me with.

 

by: limeelone321Posted on 2004-08-05 at 16:48:08ID: 11731815

I had the same problem from on my AMD too... turned out it was due to overheating of the processor, which I never guessed.

I did a set of hardware diagnositcs...and all hardware seemed fine..

After i read about AMD's overheating, I opened the computer's back cover..and put a strong table fan near the processor...and everything went fine!!!

I noticed that all the fans inside the computer was clogged due to dust and the processor wasnt recieving the cooling it needed...

cleaned up all the fans with a couple of cans of compressed air..and my baby works like a charm..

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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