Irql_not_less_or_equal_to

[daedal]

Yup; me again with some more blue-screen action!
This is it's the dreaded "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL_TO" error.

I did verify the Mircrosoft Knowledge base regarding this issue and they only offer support tips as "If you've installed Hardware recently, remove the Hardware and try again" which doesn't really help me out much.

I get this error mostly when I transfer files from one drive to another or am downloading heavy files such as Server back-ups and such.

As far as I know, everything in my PC should be compatible with Windows XP and the only Drivers that weren't signed were my new Modem's. I did start noticing an increasing frequency of the problem since installing my new DSL modem yesterday.

Here's my setup:
- ASUS P4R800-VM Motherboard
- On-board Video, Sound and Networking
- Intel P4-compatible Celeron 2.4 Ghz
- 256mb x 2 400fsb Crucial RAM (512 Dual-Channel total)
- LG 52x CD-ROM
- Dunno what the Floppy is. Never use it anyway.
- Speedstream 5200 DSL Modem
- Western Digital 80gb w/ 8meg Cache 7200RPM
- Antec Solution SLK2650BQE (350w power) Case

Any suggestions or tips? If it says it might be a shared IRQ problem, how can I check or fix that problem?

[shocky123]

The quick check for a shared IRQ problem is as follows:

1.
Start->programs->accessories->system tools->system information
2.
expand Hardware Resources
3.
check out Conflicts/Sharing

As far as solving this issue, in my past experiences with the BSOD :( it's generally easiest to reinstall.
The only thing that I can think of for problems would be the onboard lan conflicting/stealing the irq from the dsl modem you just installed. Solution for this is to go into bios, and disable the onboard lan. Try that, it may/maynot work. This is a tough one because it only seems to be an issue when you're actually using these devices, and generally serious problems tend to occur w/out allowing you to use the devices that are screwing up.
Another thing I have used to diagnose problems is the Lavalys Everest Computer info retriever thingy. Formorly known as, ehh, cant remember anymore. Here's the link (http://www.lavalys.com/products/download.php?pid=1&lang=en). This tool will do a run-down of your computer components and will allow you to see exactly what is where and possible issues with your current setup. Even though I prefer to use the old versions dating back to before they sold out, the newest ones work quite well.
Good luck.
Oh yeah, this tool will also do a Report in html/xml which is quite usefull when describing the components of your system when troubleshooting.

Peace,

[daedal]

Hmm, should I be concerned with this result?
http://www.onusart.org/13/Misc/Conflicts.gif

And would a format and clean re-install help?
(By the way, if I format my PC and do a Full format, not the quick-format, will that delete my partition?

[shocky123]

the picture you have is quite common, and is actually a good thing, I dont see anything that would cause your problems from this. It is a good thing that both your graphics card, and your graphics card 'interface' with the computer are sharing the same irq, essentially they work together, so would require the same address in memory etc.

as far as a Full Format and reinstall, this would delete everything off of your drive and allow you to completely start over. However unless you are having problems with your hard disk being corrupt in certain areas, which doesnt seem like the likely cause of your problem... a full format is not always needed.

The simplest solution would be to 'reinstall' windows. That is, run the setup disk, and reinstall windows, without doing a full format. Just install over your old windows directly. However, if you're doing this, keep in mind that if you install over your old windows directory, you may lose all your files in my documets, as well as any other files that are on your desktop.

I'd recommend trying that program/link that I had in my previous post before doing a new installation, it should prove to be quite helpful, and may actually straight up tell you what the problem is.

[daedal]

the picture you have is quite common, and is actually a good thing, I dont see anything that would cause your problems from this. It is a good thing that both your graphics card, and your graphics card 'interface' with the computer are sharing the same irq, essentially they work together, so would require the same address in memory etc.

as far as a Full Format and reinstall, this would delete everything off of your drive and allow you to completely start over. However unless you are having problems with your hard disk being corrupt in certain areas, which doesnt seem like the likely cause of your problem... a full format is not always needed.

The simplest solution would be to 'reinstall' windows. That is, run the setup disk, and reinstall windows, without doing a full format. Just install over your old windows directly. However, if you're doing this, keep in mind that if you install over your old windows directory, you may lose all your files in my documets, as well as any other files that are on your desktop.

I'd recommend trying that program/link that I had in my previous post before doing a new installation, it should prove to be quite helpful, and may actually straight up tell you what the problem is.


I did try that program and the only thing it did is make a 30-page (or so..) report of my PC and it's chartacteristiques. It didn't do other than that and I did browse through the report and didn't see anything that would indicate a serious problem.

[bbrian]

I would suggest getting the latest drivers for everything. Your system is a newer system supporting more than 16 IRQ's. Until recent IRQ's were only 0-15. Your USB port is listed as being on 19. An older driver (or generic driver installed by XP) connecting to a USB device or connecting to something else in the system that is on an IRQ higher than 15 is probably causing the problem. (Hence the message 'IRQ NOT LESS OR EQUAL TO' (to 15). I'd guess that your new modem is USB..

Corrupt registry is the only valid reason to ever do a reinstall and even then it is much easier to use 'System Restore' to restore to an older restore point. In your case it is a driver or hardware problem and reinstalling everything will not help unless you happen to install better drivers during the reinstall.

I'm not bashing anyone, but sometimes it is always easier to trouble-shoot the problem and actually fix it instead of always just reinstalling. If reinstalling is easier for you, then go for it. But when the problem re-occurs don't be surprised.

[daedal]

Actually, the modem is Network (RJ45) based but I'll uninstall the drivers for everything I can think of and get 'em fresh.

I noticed that the problem now only seems to occur when I'm transfering files from one partition to the other. I ran CHKDSK but it didn't find anything.

[bbrian]

Keep in mind that your computer is doing a ton of stuff besides what you think it is doing. Good luck on the drivers.. and since the modem is ethernet, be sure to update your network card drivers. It wouldn't hurt to get a new bios from ASUS too. Looks like they put out a new one a few months ago:
http://www.asus.com.tw/support/download/item.aspx?ModelName=P4R800-VM&Type=All
They have drivers listed there too, but it would be better to get them straight from the manufacturer if available.

[daedal]

Alright, I did all of my Driver updates/re-installs. BiOS is already at the latest version. Gonna let the PC download some backups for the day and see if it crashes when I get back home.

[dsuds]

Are you per chance using antivirus? I had a similar error running WinXP SP1 and Panda AV. It seems the Av had a firewall and it was conflicting with the Windows Firewall, even though I had both turned off. The solution for me was to uninstall Panda, and reinstall without the firewall.

[daedal]

Are you per chance using antivirus? I had a similar error running WinXP SP1 and Panda AV. It seems the Av had a firewall and it was conflicting with the Windows Firewall, even though I had both turned off. The solution for me was to uninstall Panda, and reinstall without the firewall.

I am not running an Anti-virus software but the PC did however crash when I ran a Virus Scan with AVG, I then un-installed the program after a few tries. I still have ZoneAlarm Pro though, but I've never had any previous problems with it and I often turn it off. I also made sure that the Windows Firewall was off and my connections.

Thanks for the tip though. I'll keep a close eye on that.

[daedal]

Just got home.. still crashes when it loads something heavy from the Hard Drive.

[EDIT] Also re-formatted the OS partition and did a clean install of Windows XP. Ran smooth for a while and then crashed again =/ I'm about to spend another 100$ to get this thing into the shop nearby and fully, full tested but god damnit does it ever piss me off.

The word part is that they find something fauly, say the Motherboard, I'll have to RMA it and that means I'll be without my PC (and work-tool) for weeks! *Ugh* If I didn't have so much restraint, I'd be kicking this 600$ paperweight around..