Windows 7: BSOD IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL on Startup/Shutdown

Dear SevenForums,

For some time now, I have been experiencing infrequent BSODs with the error of IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL when I start / shutdown my PC. I am running windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, and my SF file is attached to this thread.

I should note a few other important details. I tried reformatting my computer. For about a month's time, my PC did not BSOD. Then, all of a sudden a few weeks ago, it started giving me the same BSOD again. I also tried disconnecting all of my USB devices from the computer thinking that perhaps one of my USB devices might be causing a driver conflict of some kind. Unfortunately, my system continues to BSOD on an infrequent basis. Finally, I have also noticed that my PC will BSOD occassionally when I am installing games via Steam. Usually this occurs whenever Steam is installing drivers for DirectX. No idea what to make of that last observation as my system has never BSODed during other programs' installation processes.

Any help y'all can offer me would be most appreciated. Thanks so much!

Kind regards,

Rik3Rr

cmudaxp.sys : C-Media Audio Interface Driver (WDM) by C-Media
ASUS Xonar DG Audio Interface driver
HTO CLARO Audio Interface Driver

The highlited in red i belive is yours, to double check me go to device manager and look for it under sound video and game controllers. If it is the HTO CLARO
Download this driver : https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nqik433sjaxv8ic/pvA8SFDm9A
Please uninstall existing driver and rebooting system before new driver installation!

I also suggest using this for your american megatrends : http://biosagentplus.com/ami.php

@Skylais,

Thanks so much for your reply! I am going to try working with my audio drivers this morning and see if it resolves the problem. I will report back with my results.

Thanks again!

Great news! My BSODs (at least initially) appear to be fixed. Thanks to Skylais' advice, I tried several things related to my sound drivers. In the end, I chose to remove my Claro Halo sound card, which fixed the problem once and for all. At this point, I may choose either to replace the Claro Halo sound card with something else, or just use onboard sound for a while.

Thanks again, Skylais, for all of your assistance with this matter! Take care.

Glad you have your solution, it was a pleasure cooperating with you and if you believe your problem is solved you can mark this thread as solved if you would like. However if you do receive another problem, please be sure to make a new thread and post the link to it here, so i can take a look