Another IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL :(

Jonathan_King · 02 Mar 2011

Now I am seeing no true BSODs being recorded, just random, unexplained reboots. If you are seeing actually bluescreens, it means Windows is shutting down before it has time to record the info. Typically, this is caused by hardware failure, such as RAM and hard drive.

I'd expect to see some errors if the hard drive was failing, but we can't rely on that. Run SeaTools for DOS, since Windows may not be stable enough for the other version.

Run Memtest86 as well, for the RAM. See here: RAM - Test with Memtest86+

Blinky88 · 02 Mar 2011

I see, are there any programs you recommend which will run a diagnostic on my RAM and hard drive?

Edit - whoops just realised you had already posted them! Will download and run them now.

Thanks again

Blinky88 · 02 Mar 2011

Update: I have ran MemTest86 and received the message "Pass complete, no errors found, press ESC to reboot"

Unfortunately I have no blank CDs to be able to run SeaTools for DOS. Are there any other ways of checking my hard drive for errors?

Thank you

Jonathan_King · 02 Mar 2011

Just to make sure: did you run Memtest86, or the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic?

To test the hard drive, we can try using chkdsk. Boot up the Windows DVD or repair disc, and select "repair my computer". Open a command prompt, and enter chkdsk c: /r.

Blinky88 · 02 Mar 2011

Yes I followed the instructions you posted. Downloaded Memtest86, executed it and chose my USB drive for the boot drive, reset notebook and it ran the program for about 30 minutes and it was finished.

Annoyingly, my Windows 7 came preinstalled and the vendor did not provide me with a disk, nor does there seem to be any recovery partition on my hard drive!

I have emailed Asus and the vendor to see if they can send me one. Hope they do!

Blinky88 · 02 Mar 2011

Alternatively,

My friend has a Dell XPS notebook running Windows 7 Home Premium x64 like I am, and one of his hard drives has a recovery partition folder. If I was to copy and paste this onto mine, would it work? Or is it completely different because his is a Dell?

Thanks again

Zardoc · 02 Mar 2011

Hi there,

IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL is most often a memory issue. If you have 2 sticks run one at a time. Yes, it slows the system but the test is better than memtest. Or, if someone has a few spare sticks of mem, try it out.

I would also check vid card drivers are up to date.

rannjvr · 02 Mar 2011

If you receive this error message, follow these steps to resolve the issue:

Restart the computer and see if you receive an option to revert back to a previous operating system. Choose this option if it is displayed. If you do not receive the option to revert to a previous operating system, skip to step 3.
When your computer starts Windows 98 or Windows Me, uninstall any antivirus software and boot manager software (such as Roxio GoBack), and then "clean boot" your computer by using the information in one of the following Microsoft Knowledge Base articles:267288 (How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows Millennium Edition ) How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows Millennium Edition
192926 (How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98 ) How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98
After your computer starts in the "clean boot" environment, try to upgrade to Windows XP again. If the upgrade procedure does not work and you receive the same error message, the problem may be a hardware problem.
Remove any unnecessary hardware from the computer. Disconnect any Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices and printers, and remove the network adapter, sound card, serial adapters, and so on.
If you continue to receive this error message, you may need to flash the BIOS on the computer's motherboard. Refer to the manufacturer of your computer or the Web site for the motherboard for information about how to do this.

NOTE: If you need assistance with steps 3 or 4, contact your hardware manufacturer. Note that making hardware or BIOS changes to your computer may invalidate your warranty. If you do not want to make hardware changes to your computer, you can take your computer to a repair center.

Zardoc · 02 Mar 2011

I'm sorry but that article is almost 4 years old. What's the purpose?

Blinky88 · 02 Mar 2011

Zardoc, thanks for your reply. Should I simply dismantle my notebook to remove a stick of RAM, then run my laptop to see if it BSODs again? Also, I my video card drivers are up to date.

rannjvr, the articles you have provided are for Windows ME and 98? How do I go about removing network adapter, sound card, serial adapters etc?

Thanks guys

Edit - would just like to mention my BIOS are up to date as well.

Another IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL :(

to fix that problem