Windows 7 32bit BSOD - IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Hey Guys,

For the the past couple of weeks, (Maybe months) I've been getting BSOD crashes when playing High-Demand games on my computer such as Call Of Duty and occasionally from High-Demand programs such as Cry-engine 3. I have no idea what is causing it. I have replaced my PSU for a slightly higher performance one to eliminate the possibility that my graphics card wasn't getting enough power.

I'm fairly confident there are no problems with my RAM as someone has suggested there might be, as i ran some algorithm (Sorry, i cant remember the name) that required my pc to boot from a usb stick with a tiny program loaded on to it, which checked for error's ( as far as i am aware ) Which there were non.

I have attached the system dump files as instructed in the BSOD posting instructions, and also an image taken using my phone, of the BSOD message on my screen. (Sorry about the slightly blurry image - I had to be quick...)


Any help that anyone can offer me will be so greatly appreciated as this has been frustrating me for so long!

Thanks,
Dan




System Specs:

AMD Athlon II Quad Core - 3.0Ghz (Not overclocked)
Asus Nvidia GTS 450 - 1Gb DDR5, 810mhz Factory Overclocked
4Gb (2x2gb) DDR3 1333mhz RAM
580w HIPER Modular PSU
1TB SATA2 7200rpm Hard Drive
Various "Eye Candy" - Led Fans, Neon Poles etc...
Currently Running Windows 7 Ultimate ( Only the 32Bitt version... )

Hi,

Please upload your msinfo32.nfo file. To get this: Start Menu -> Type msinfo32 into the Search programs and files box -> When it opens, go to File, Save -> Save as msinfo32.nfo and save in a place you will remember -> Let it finish the process of gathering and saving the system info -> Right click the .nfo file, click send to compressed (zipped) folder -> Upload the .zip file here.


Your dump files indicate that there could be a hardware issue.
As a result I recommend you check your hardware for issues. Please run Memtest86+ to check your RAM. Let it run for 6-8 passes overnight as described in the tutorial. Pay particular attention to parts 2 and 3. You already mentioned you did this but did you do it for 6-8 passes? If not, do it again for 6-8 passes as errors can take a long time to show up.

Also check your HDD for errors using Seatools and chkdsk.. Download and create a bootable version of the Seatools for DOS program as described here. For check disk, follow this tutorial: Disk Check


Some of the crashes you uploaded were DirectX/graphics card related. DirectX comes installed with Windows, so this may indicate Windows corruption. It may also be that you have corrupted drivers or a graphics card hardware problem.

writhziden said:

• If you are overclocking any hardware, please stop.
• Check Windows for corruption. Run SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker up to three times to fix all errors with a restart in between each. Post back if it continues to show errors after a fourth run or if the first run comes back with no integrity violations. Use OPTION THREE of SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker to provide us with the sfcdetails.txt file if errors occur.

Follow the steps for Diagnosing basic problems with DirectX. To re-install your display card drivers as outlined in the DirectX link, use the following steps.

1. Download the drivers you want for your display card(s)
2. Click Start Menu
3. Click Control Panel
4. Click Uninstall a program
5. For NVIDIA:
   
   • Uninstall the NVIDIA Graphics Driver (this should uninstall all NVIDIA software and drivers)
   • Restart your computer
   • Make sure NVIDIA 3D Vision Driver, NVIDIA 3D Vision Video Player, NVIDIA HD Audio Driver, and NVIDIA PhysX System Software are not still listed under Uninstall a program through Control Panel
   • If any remain of the above, uninstall one at a time
   • If asked to restart after uninstalling any of the above, do so, and continue uninstalling any remaining NVIDIA items until all are removed
6. For AMD:
   
   • Uninstall AMD Catalyst Install Manager if it is listed (this should remove all AMD graphics software and drivers)
   • If AMD Catalyst Install Manager is not listed, use the following method to uninstall the graphics drivers (this applies to onboard graphics, as well):
     
     1. Click Start Menu
     2. Right Click My Computer/Computer
     3. Click Manage
     4. Click Device Manager from the list on the left
     5. Expand Display adapters
     6. Do the following for each adapter (in case you have multiple display cards)
        
        • Right click the adapter
        • Click Uninstall (do not click OK in the dialog box that pops up after hitting Uninstall)
        • Put a tick in Delete driver software for this device (if this option is available, otherwise just hit OK) and hit OK
        
        
        
     
     
     Alternatively:
     
     
     1. Login as an adminstrative user
     2. Click Start Menu
     3. Click Control Panel
     4. Click Hardware and Sound
     5. Click Device Manager (the last link under Devices and Printers)
     6. Expand Display adapters
     7. Do the following for each adapter (in case you have multiple display cards)
        
        • Right click the adapter
        • Click Uninstall (do not click OK in the dialog box that pops up after hitting Uninstall)
        • Put a tick in Delete driver software for this device (if this option is available, otherwise just hit OK) and hit OK
        
        
        
     
     
     
7. Restart your computer after uninstalling drivers for all display cards
8. Install the driver you selected for the display cards once Windows starts

Remember to try multiple versions of the graphics drivers, download them fresh, and install the freshly downloaded drivers.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask
Stephen

Hi Stephen,

First of all, thank you for spending you time to help me out with my problem - It means a lot! How you have managed to diagnose my problems in such detail amazes me - How did you learn to do it!?

I've uploaded the msinfo32 file for you. Thanks for all the suggested solutions, I will try them out as soon as possible! The only one i have already done is the memtest, which i did leave overnight for 8 passes with no errors.

Also if you don't mind, I noticed that you said you were still at school! What you can do is amazing, especially for someone who hasn't even finished school! How old are you?

Thanks again for all you help - Much appreciated!
Dan.

Hey Danny,

Thanks for the msinfo file. I'm on my iPod at the moment do can't look at it but will do ASAP.

In regards to my analysis, I'm actually new at all this. I'm being trained by Writhziden who is probably the best BSOD analysist on the forum. He wrote a tutorial on the subject if your interested. How I Debug Blue Screen Crashes. As you can see in my previous post, I quoted his steps as I'm still getting around to writing my own. I've only been doing this for a few weeks.

By the way, I'm 14 so currently in Year 9 at school.

Also, thanks for the plus rep and the kind words. It's nice to help someone who appreciates the work I do. It's not actually that easy. :)

Let me know the results of the tests,
Stephen

Hi again!

Ohh! Thanks i'll take a look at his tutorial.

Wow, and i thought I was "computer Savvy" at 15 from my Java programming and graphical design. But BSOD error reporting at 14 is on a whole new level! Your going to do well in life if a career in IT is what your after - Best of luck! Thanks again for all your help, I'm so grateful! I know who to come to if i have a problem

Dan.


Also, if there is anything I could ever help you out with at all (Which I doubt! ) Don't hesitate to ask! Thanks again for all your time and help!

Hmmm, the msinfo file you gave me doesn't work. Could you try again? The resulting file should end in .nfo which you can zip up and upload here:

To get this: Start Menu -> Type msinfo32 into the Search programs and files box -> When it opens, go to File, Save -> Save as msinfo32.nfo and save in a place you will remember -> Let it finish the process of gathering and saving the system info -> Right click the .nfo file, click send to compressed (zipped) folder -> Upload the .zip file here.

With this, I can view some more info on your PC to see if there any driver issues. I also need the results of each test I asked to run when it's complete. Thanks! :)

Stephen

Hi again stephen,

Sorry it's taken me so long to reply, I've been quite busy with exams at school.
I've uploaded the file you asked for again. I haven't got round to testing all you possible solutions as I've just had to replace a faulty PSU in my computer. I will get round to it later today.

As always, thanks again for all your time and help!
Dan.

Thanks for that file. I now have some more recommendations for you!

If you are overclocking your system, please return all overclocked components to their stock speeds. If the BSOD's are found not to be caused by the overclock, you can re-overclock the components once we have finished the diagnostics

Please remove the following software

Code:

PC Health Advisor

This software is a known cause of BSOD's. Most people here do not recommend the use of automatic optimisation tools for Windows 7. Microsoft have improved Windows 7 significantly and it is much better at organising and optimising itself than its predecessors. Windows 7 is not XP. Automated optimisation software can delete important registry entries that can cause multiple problems with windows 7.

If you feel the need to use a registry cleaning or optimisation software, I recommend the use of CCleaner but make sure you back up the registry before making letting ccleaner delete anything.
I also recommend the use of Puran Defrag to defragment your HDD. Check the "Boost Overall System Speed By Puran Intelligent Optimizer (PIZOR) under additional operations.


Then, remove this software:

Code:

ASUS SmartDoctor
GamerOSD

This is overclocking software and is known to cause BSOD's. I've seen the same thing on someone else's system. The dumps blamed hardware but the ASUS software was actually causing the issues. Restore all the harware back to it's default speed then use Revo Uninstaller to remove the software.


I have also noticed that you do not have an real time anti-virus product installed on your PC. You have Malwarebytes but no real time protection. Please install Microsoft Security Essentials and scan your PC.

Remember, work through all my steps at your own pace, there is no rush. Report back the results of each one.

Stephen

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for the suggestions. I only used the PC Health Advisor to search for driver updates for my hardware and not for 'Optimising Windows'.

The Asus software was not used to overcolock my graphics card although it does have that feature. I was only using it to monitor the heat of the graphics card and for fan controll as I thought overheating could be causing my BSOD's. Does this software still need to be removed as I am not using the overclocking features?

Thanks,
Dan.



( I wont be able to remove these computers at the moment as my main computer has died. I thought it was due to a faulty PSU but i have changed it 3 times and it still isnt starting. There must be a short on the motherboard or something which i will need to fix soon. Just thought I would let you know as i can only access Seven Forums at school like I am now incase I dont reply for a couple of days)