Driver_irql_not_less_or_equal (iastor.sys)

[boweasel]

Later today I will click on the Load Drivers option from the CD boot and see if I can get it to work that way...

When I do that, and open the flash drive with the R130119.exe on it I get the msg

The specified location does not contain information about your hardware

Of course, there's no self extracting going on. Should I be extracting this driver on another PC, and copying the extracted module to the flash drive?

 

[boweasel]

And BTW, since I can look at the files from the command prompt, I see a Program Files (x86) on the root directory, so this must be a 64 bit version of Windows 7. (I actually did not know that they made a 32 bit version of the OS).

 

[boweasel]

I used 7Zip and extracted the files from R130119.exe onto the flash drive and attempted to run the setup.exe, but I again got the msg

The specified location does not contain information about your hardware

 

[boweasel]

From the Recovery console I tried the command expand g:\pc\driver\r130119.exe c:\windows\system32\drivers the G: drive being the USB port. I got a message that R130119 was copied, but a subsequent restart gave me a BSOD. I did not go into safe mode and disengage the auto restart so I could view the screen. This is becoming tiresome.

I've got to go out for a couple hours. If I don't receive any responses by the time i get back I'll use the Dell disk and reinstall Windows 7. I've never experienced these sort of problems with XP.... sigh....

 

[DeanP]

You still can't boot after changing to RAID AutoDetect/ATA?

 

[boweasel]

You still can't boot after changing to RAID AutoDetect/ATA?

When I go to System Configuration there is an option for SATA Operation. There are 3 radio buttons at the top of that page

• Disabled
• ATA
• AHCI

It is (and has been - I made no change) set to ATA
And no I cannot boot. I get the 0x7B BSOD with 0xFFFFF880009A98E8, 0xFFFFFFFFC0000034, then all zeroes.

The article from Dell mentions going to the Drives section, then going to SATA Operation. AIAS I go to System Configuration, then SATA Operation.

At any rate there is no RAID Autodetect / ATA, only the 3 radio buttons.

Are you telling me (or not telling me) that no one at this forum has encountered this problem? That no one knows how to get that R130119 driver into the system?

 

[DeanP]

Switch to Disabled and see what happens.

 

[boweasel]

No bootable devices.

Look, I appreciate your help, but it seems obvious that we're just sort of guessing at this point...

 

[gregrocker]

You can indeed clean install using your Win7 Installation DVD (unlocked if necessary) with the Product Key on COA sticker. You may need to do this in order to wipe the HD if you don't have Recovery DIsks which were made off the Recovery partition. http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

But first I would try running a full factory Recovery following these steps as it is very good with Dell, although the bloatware will be restored along with useless factory utilities which many don't feel are optimal for Win7 best performance: Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings | Dell

If you haven't copied out your files yet you can do so using the Repair CD or your Installation DVD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93347-copy-paste-windows-recovery-console.html I assume you've been running Startup Repair from the DVD/Repair CD also so that it doesn't depend on possibly corrupted OS files.

This would be a good opportunity to get the cleanest possible install using the Dell Win7 Installation DVD, something which Dell doesn't provide any longer because manufacturers are under such pressure from the bloatware sponsors to enforce it even though it hampers Win7 performance.

In addition to the steps I gave above to get a purrfect clean reinstall, I would try setting the SATA controller to AHCI first as it gives some advantages and is thus preferred.

The other option is to run Dell full Factory Recovery which is quite good.

 

[boweasel]

I don't know if this sounds naive or not, but doing a fresh install... won't I simply be loading the very same Intel driver that (apparently) caused the BSOD in the first place?

 

[boweasel]

And, of course (could it be any other way?) I have no option for Dell Factory Image Restore as per your linkRestoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings | Dell

 

[gregrocker]

I don't know if this sounds naive or not, but doing a fresh install... won't I simply be loading the very same Intel driver that (apparently) caused the BSOD in the first place?

The driver isn't missing or your computer wouldn't start. The problem may be boot sector corruption for which wiping the HD to clean reinstall is the solution.

A Clean Reinstall is always the ultimate solution to nagging problems and creeping corruption, although with drive imaging once you get the purrfect reinstall you only need to save a backup image and you don't have to reinstall again.

To get the purrfect reinstall, adopt the attitude that this is a learning experience which will greatly enhance your knowledge about your computer and give you some mastery over it. Then follow the steps suggested to http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

 

[boweasel]

Re-install went purrfectly (to coin a phrase), and to 500 GB hard drive offered enough space to create an old-windows folder, where all the documents, pictures, music and programs reside.

Silly question, but I don't know how to get say Microsoft Office onto the newly reinstalled OS. I have the folders on Windows (old), but is that really useless, and do I simply need to use the disk to reinstall the product?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes all programs must be reinstalled. You can import any Outlook settings and mail from within the mail program by browsing to the windows.old folder.