Blue Screen

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I am getting the blue screen of death errors continually. Sometimes I reboot and can use the computer for a while but that is getting less and less often.  Recently I have to use Safe Mode to do anything.

The blue screen error says, “IRQL not less or equal”.  I am running Win 10

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Did you install any optional updates for Windows 10?

That error typically means that there is a hardware problem with your computer – faulty memory sticks, or something on the motherboard.  How savvy are you with computers? Can you open it up and test out removing one of the memory sticks?

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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Thanks for the quick reply Susan.  Yes,  I have been inside all of my computers and added memory or SSD drives etc.    I think I did install some optional updates at one time or another.  Can you give me a little more on the testing process?  I have 16gb RAM and I think it is in two memory sticks.  This is a laptop so it is a little more work but I have been in there before a while ago.  I seem to recall a program that could test the memory??

Roger

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How to Test RAM: Make Sure Bad Memory Isn’t Crashing Your PC | Tom’s Hardware (tomshardware.com)

See if this helps?

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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Hi Susan,  I have been trying to use one of the methods memory test apps you have suggested I have downloaded the app to a USB stick and have tried to change my BIOS to boot from the USB but it won’t do it.

As I mentioned previously I can operate without getting the BSOD when in safe mode.  If it was a memory problem wouldn’t it still be a problem in safe mode??

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Safe mode uses a limited set of drivers so safe mode it truly that – ensuring that you can at least get it booted.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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Thanks Susan,

I am able to get it booted but keep getting the BSOD’s all the time.  If it is a memory problem wouldn’t it still happen even while in Safe Mode? Isn’t memory accessed while in safe mode?

Roger

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Safe mode uses the same memory so if it is broken…
As it works in safe mode the issue is likely to be drivers, but you need to test the memory to be sure.

Have you tried the blue screen viewers listed by satrow below?

cheers, Paul

1 user thanked author for this post.

satrow

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See this thread for testing methodology.
https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/almost-daily-bsods-in-last-two-weeks/

cheers, Paul

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What MS say about “IRQL not less or equal”: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/debugger/bug-check-0xa–irql-not-less-or-equal

Snipped to opener for Cause:

“This bug check is caused by kernel-mode device drivers that use improper addresses.

This bug check indicates that an attempt was made to access an invalid address while at a raised interrupt request level (IRQL). The cause is either a bad memory pointer or a pageability problem with the device driver code.”

Device driver in this context also includes drivers installed for security/’Utility’ software.

Nirsoft’s BlueScreenView and DriverView can be very useful as shortcuts to narrowing in on the most likely types of driver behind this.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Microfix, windbg

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