Hi Brendan--
The first thing to say about this common stop error is that it can be for a
number of reasons and either hardware or software related. It often
indicates a software (like a driver) or a hardware (like a misplaced or
incorrect memory stick) compatibility problem. The cause is that a kernel
mode process or driver attempts attempts to access a memory location at an
interupt request level (IRQL) that's too high or to access a memory location
for which it has no permission.
I know. Everything's all better now.
If you follow the directions to freeze that blue screen you've been given,
sometimes you can see the name of a problematic driver at the end of the
error message on the BSOD. The driver name would be preceeded by the text
"has base at <address> <driver name>. The name of the driver would tell you
what to go after in that situation. If for example the driver were new or
recent, you could roll back or check the device site to see if a different
or newer driver for your hardware was available. You could also try to roll
back the driver by going to Device Manger>devmgmt.msc in run box>right click
the device>properties>select roll back driver.
Also continuing in the hardware line of causes, if you have another version
of the same device or the same device used on another computer, you can try
switching them to substitute a known good device for the possible faulty
one.
This error message can be for a variety of reasons, both hardware or
software related. Common triggers are also memory sticks not seated
properly.
Have you installed any new hardware recently or drivers for hardware?
Something like a joystick for a game? Sometimes this is correct by simply
changing a graphics card driver for example.
What happens if you put the stick you took out back in, but remove the other
stick?
What happens if you put the stick you took out back in the slot where the
other stick is?
What happens if you put the stick you didn't take out in the slot where the
one you did take out was?
How many RAM slots do you have, try different, additional, combinations if
more than two.
If you clear hardware causes for the problem, I'd try these below:
You can also run memory test from the Vista DVD if you are fortunate enough
to have one. You can try startup repair from the DVD if you have it, and if
you don't, you can use the F8 environment. Directions for all of these are
below:
***Startup Repair from the Vista DVD***
How to Use The Vista DVD to Repair Vista (Startup Repair is misnamed by the
Win RE team and it can be used to fix many Vista components even when you
***can boot to Vista):
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm
If you elect to run Startup repair from the Vista DVD (it can fix major
components in Vista--I've verified this many many times; it's good for more
than startup problems, and the Win RE team simply screwed up when they named
it not understanding its full functionality):
Startup Repair will look like this when you put in the Vista DVD:
http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png
You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
also sometimes effective):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us
How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm
It will automatically take you to this on your screen:
http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content...r-computer.png
That will allow you to go to the Vista setup that has a Repair link on
thelower left corner>click it and then you'll see a gray backgrounded list
and I want you to click Startup Repair from it and follow the directions.
The gray screen after you click the first link in the above pic will look
like this:
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winv...ir/Image17.gif
Click Startup Repair, the link at the top and after it scans>click OK and
let it try to repair Vista. It will tell you if it does, and if it
doesn't, try System Restore from the Recovery Link on the DVD. If these
don't work booting into Safe Mode by tapping the F8 key and using System
Restore from one of the safe modes besides VGA may work. That means you
have the option to try 4 different safe modes to get to system restore, (one
from the Recovery link on the DVD) and sometimes one will work when the
others won't.
You could also try a Repair Install with Vista which is done exactly the
same way as in XP:
***Repair Install Steps*** (can be used for Vista) MVP Doug Knox
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ps/doug92.mspx
***Using the F8 Environment***
***Taking Full Advantage of the F8 Options (Windows Advanced Options Menu)
by starting the PC and tapping F8 once per second when the firmware screen
with the pc manufacturer's name shows a few seconds after restarting***:
The F8 options in Vista are the same as XP, and the link for Safe Mode Boot
options is labled XP by MSFT but they are the same for Vista (they haven't
updated to add Vista to the title as they have with several MSKBs that apply
to both).
Again, pressing F8 repeatedly when you seem the firmware screen may be is a
generic way to launch Windows RE on some OEM Vista computers.
You could also:
Think: I have 4 different ways to get back my XP at F8 and try 'em in order.
1) Safe Mode 2) Safe Mode with Cmd to Sys Restore which is simply a cmd
prompt in safe mode 3) Safe Mode with Neworking 4) LKG or Last Known Good
Configuration
Try to F8 to the Windows Adv Options Menu>try 3 safe modes there (I don't
use WGA) and Last Known Good>then I go to Win RE in Vista. That gives you a
choice of Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking,and Safe Mode with Command
Prompt.
These methods are outlined in
A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP/and Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore from MSFT:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../faqsrwxp.mspx
System Restore can be run from the Win RE recovery environment from the same
link as Startup Repair, and sometimes it will work from one F8 safe mode
location or from the Win Recovery Environment when it won't work from other
locations.
How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304449
Good luck,
CH
"Brendan" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> Increasingly frequently I am experiencing the following:
>
> On start-up everything goes ok for a minute or so then I get a BSOD. The
> message doesn't las long enough to read properly. All I can get is 'IRQL
> NOT EQUAL OR LESS' and something about 'If this is happening for the first
> time..........' Then it's gone. On restart I select 'Start windows
> normally' and get a clean restart
> I am concerned at the increasing frequency of this and fear that it may be
> a warning of worse to come. Can anyone shed some light please.
>
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