Reboot at random times - IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL - ntoskrnl.exe

Thanks - I had automatic updates turned off (updates are downloaded but not installed).

Have you installed all Important and Optional Updates? Check now.

Important, yes; Optional no.

BTW before I do create the Peppermint disk, just wanted to check that you'd recommend I do that (remove hard drive) before doing a fresh re-install? If I did a re-install, I would want to take you up on your offer of help to ensure I do it correctly. I did NOT wipe the drive when I did it the last time.

BTW2 - there have been several reboots occurring each day.

Thanks!

Can we see a screenshot of Optional Updates when you Check for Updates? Or just go ahead and install them. These may include needed drivers or patches. On a heavily patched OS without SP2 all Updates are important - except Bing.

Now may be a good time to study Clean Reinstall Windows 7 to understand what works best with Win7.

Running with a boot disk while both the SSD and HD are unplugged tells you whether the fault lies in the hardware or the hard drive and/or OS. You might want to see if the problem replicates while only running with boot disk first.

Just to clarify: You did run Factory Recovery to reset the PC back to HP Factory condition, correct? This is not the same as a Clean Reinstall because it reinstalls all of the factory bloatware which on HP's is the worst in the industry. These in addition to the duplicate utilities which have better versions built into the OS throttle the OS and can cause numerous problems. By sticking closely to the reinstall steps we can assure you have the best install possible. I will help you phase the install so you can determine at exactly which step the problem reoccurs to pinpoint the fault if it is in the install.

Before reinstall I'd wipe the SSD.

It may be buried somewhere earlier but have you run the present install without the hard drive attached to test it?

Did you run Recovery or reinstall since you uninstalled Norton which was traced to the BSOD's, and did you use the Norton Removal tool?

After exactly doing what did the restarts begin?

I ended up just installing the optionals as well, except for Silverlight (I heard bad things about this??). I could install that as well.

In any case, I've removed the hard drive and booted to Peppermint. Will see how that goes, although I'm not sure what I can do while in here? And how do I determine if it reboots? Do I have to be with the laptop when it occurs, or will there be some log file I can look at?

Thanks a lot!

Also, I will answer your other questions soon (missed them when I saw your reply on my phone). I figured I might as well run with Peppermint and w/o the hard drive to see how that goes. I just need to know how to tell whether it rebooted or not (although I guess if it is off, or if the applications I'm running are no longer running would be an indication). Maybe there are logs I can look at?

Thanks!

Doesn't the PC restart? That's what to look for.

Yes, it definitely restarts. If I didn't have any applications running, and was away for hours, I may not be able to determine it actually restarted. It may appear to just be how it was when I last looked at the screen. :)

Not sure how restarts happen in Peppermint, or it may just shut down and not restart.

Ok perfect.

I have been using the browser and doing some other things, so we'll see what happens. I will post back with what happens.

Thanks!