BSOD IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL and random freezes

General reference - HP LED/beep codes.
SAS and SATA Hard Drive - LED Combinations/Behavior Explained

HP Compaq Business Desktop d330 and d530 - LED / Beep Codes

Pavilion dv7t Quad Edition-Red HDD LED

The above references might not apply exactly to your machine, but they'll give you a general idea of what the machine is trying to tell you though LED and BEEP codes.

If I can find codes specific to your machine, I will post it. Just so you know, there isn't a set for each model, but there might be slight differences between models.

If you are concerned about the hard drive, this may be an option you may want to do. Disk Check

You can also download your manufacturer's diagnostic tool to run the short and long tests tp see if you are having hard drive problems.

That's good news. At least you've eliminated one thing.

Nisym said:

Thank you Slartybart for the links, They are quite interesting to read through. Like the last link, I've experienced "After a hard reboot, I noticed that the HDD light is solid red and the caps lock light constantly blinks. About a minute after this, the internal fans will start to run at full power." Though I've also had the LED red light blink regularly. If I remove the AC adapter and wait for a couple of seconds, then plug the AC adapter back in, the problem will cease and I am able to boot back into Windows.

I will take note of how many times the LED flashes next time it happens.

I managed to locate an HP page on POST codes:
Computer Does Not Start and the LEDs Blink or the Computer Beeps HP Pavilion dv7-1245dx Entertainment Notebook PC | HP® Support

I don't want to distract you and essenbe but if the machine is trying to tell you something, this might help decipher what it's saying.

I also read an interesting discussion by two hardware technicians - I didn't post a link because both of the basically replaced everything in the machine.

But there were two post comments that you might want to try, they're fairly simple.
1) Restart and tap the F8 key repeatedly - I forget what screen is brought up (recovery?) but you just want to exit and start normally. Doesn't seem like a winner to me, but it can' hurt.

2) Power down the machine
disconnect all power sources (AC and remove battery)
Press and hold the power button for 2 minutes.
Connect only the AC power
Start your machine.

Lights? Beeps?

Slartybart, don't worry about distracting me, I said I'm not the expert. You sound like you are doing an excellent job of helping. I agree, the purpose of beep codes is to tell you something. I would like to think they would be in the manual, but what do I know? If I was that smart, HP would hire me.

essenbe said:

Slartybart, don't worry about distracting me, I said I'm not the expert. You sound like you are doing an excellent job of helping. I agree, the purpose of beep codes is to tell you something. I would like to think they would be in the manual, but what do I know? If I was that smart, HP would hire me.

I have an extra briefcase if you need it.
The manual.... yeah, I should have looked there. I just so used to not finding information in HP manuals that I forget to open them. I just search HP and poke at links that sound like they might have something useful.

I'm no expert either, I know some experts though.
(That worked for Henry Ford when the board tried to expel him from his company)

edit: Ok NiSym, we'll wait for your next update.
I type too slow ! You posted before I finished my response to essenbe

Bill
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