Irql_not_less_or_equal

Junior Poster in Training

80 posts since Oct 2004

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Blaze, is the accompanying error code 0x000000D1 or 0x0000000A ?
It could be RAM going bad... try using Memtest86+ to test it.... download it in a form to suit and make a bootable medium... floppy if you can, or USB flash drive.
If RAM check passes [let it run for half an hour at least] then it is software based, and possibly malware.
Report back.

Industrious Poster

4,209 posts since May 2005

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gerbil: the error code is 0x0000000A

sorry....can you give me instructions on what to do after i download memtest to a USB drive? do i start my laptop in Safe Mode? that's the only way i can get it to boot

Junior Poster in Training

80 posts since Oct 2004

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Sure. Download the auto installer package from memtest.org, unzip it and dclick the .exe; you will be asked for a USB flashdrive path. Restart your machine with the flashdrive already inserted, use the One-time boot menu to choose the Flashdrive as boot source. Memtest will launch. Windows is not started, in any mode.

Industrious Poster

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how do i "use the one-time boot menu"? sorry i'm trying to keep up but not understanding the steps i should take.

Junior Poster in Training

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The one-time boot menu is more properly called the bios boot screen, or BBS. You press an F key to access it, which key is shown on the first POST screen. F2? F8? Depends... there you should be able to choose your flashdrive as the boot drive [be sure to insert the USB flashdrive before starting the puter otherwise that option may not be listed in the menu.

Industrious Poster

4,209 posts since May 2005

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Sure. Download the auto installer package from memtest.org, unzip it and dclick the .exe; you will be asked for a USB flashdrive path. Restart your machine with the flashdrive already inserted, use the One-time boot menu to choose the Flashdrive as boot source. Memtest will launch. Windows is not started, in any mode.

am i supposed to be able to download the installer package from the affected laptop? i tried to boot up in safe mode and open up IE. it wouldn't open up

Junior Poster in Training

80 posts since Oct 2004

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I thought you were unable to enter Safe Mode due to the error occurring. Ok, then before safe mode you see an option to use System Restore. Choose a point prior to your trouble occurring, see if a start is possible. The error you report may be the result of a corrupted driver or service, or just faulty RAM.
With regards to RAM, you could dl the package on another system and install to the desired medium. If you have multiple RAM sticks you could try removing one or more, swapping sticks and slots as you try to start the machine with just one stick.

Industrious Poster

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since i installed new RAM several months ago, would it be worth a try to remove the RAM and reinstall it to see if it works? or should i begin with your suggestions first?

Junior Poster in Training

80 posts since Oct 2004

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Either is worth trying... but if you are unseating then you may as well pull comletely and try a restart. Follow the usual precautions you were informed of with the new modules.

Industrious Poster

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Did you replace your ram or did you add to it? Does the speed of the new one match the speed of the old? Have a look at the labels on the ram for this info!

Rik from RCE

Nearly a Posting Maven

2,335 posts since May 2009

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Did you replace your ram or did you add to it? Does the speed of the new one match the speed of the old? Have a look at the labels on the ram for this info!

i replaced my RAM (took out old RAM and installed new RAM). this was several months ago and it was working fine with the new RAM. just two weeks ago is when the laptop wouldn't start up properly.

Junior Poster in Training

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You only answered half of my question!

Rik from RCE

Nearly a Posting Maven

2,335 posts since May 2009

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i'm not sure about the speed

i installed Kingston PC3200 400mHz RAM. i know the PC3200 is correct. but i'll have to see if i have my old RAM to see if the speed matches 400mHz.

Junior Poster in Training

80 posts since Oct 2004

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I just wanted to make sure it was the correct ram as mixes of speeds can work fine for a while then play up later on quite often!

Rik from RCE

Nearly a Posting Maven

2,335 posts since May 2009

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Blaze, is the accompanying error code 0x000000D1 or 0x0000000A ? It could be RAM going bad... try using Memtest86+ to test it.... download it in a form to suit and make a bootable medium... floppy if you can, or USB flash drive. If RAM check passes [let it run for half an hour at least] then it is software based, and possibly malware. Report back.

after 1 year, i finally got around to trying memtest. so i ran it for an hour and i got a "Pass complete, no errors" after running it.

what should i try next?

Junior Poster in Training

80 posts since Oct 2004

Reputation Points: 10

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Blaze, is the accompanying error code 0x000000D1 or 0x0000000A ? It could be RAM going bad... try using Memtest86+ to test it.... download it in a form to suit and make a bootable medium... floppy if you can, or USB flash drive. If RAM check passes [let it run for half an hour at least] then it is software based, and possibly malware. Report back.

one other note. i ran Express Test and i received the following error:

Error Code: 0F00:136C
MSG: IDE Device Failed: Blank Media or no media is present in optical drive.

Junior Poster in Training

80 posts since Oct 2004

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one other note. i ran Express Test and i received the following error:

Error Code: 0F00:136C MSG: IDE Device Failed: Blank Media or no media is present in optical drive.

don't know what express test is ,but i will assume that it was set to test drives in you computer and when it go to the cd/dvd rom it found no disk ion the device to check

caperjack

I hate 20 Questions

Team Colleague

13,069 posts since Aug 2003

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don't know what express test is ,but i will assume that it was set to test drives in you computer and when it go to the cd/dvd rom it found no disk ion the device to check

yeah i think i got to the test by hitting F12 upon start up. i'm guessing this error is not related to my true issue.

Junior Poster in Training

80 posts since Oct 2004

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Umph.. you are a very tolerant chappie... :)
You know what the error means... that a pointer is referencing an incorrect location in memory.... and I am assuming that it is not happening very often, so it is not likely to be a corrupt device driver or other software. I think that only leaves a sporadic hardware error. You got around to running memtest86+ [after a year... I drew from that the feeling that the problem wasn't keeping you from sleep]... so maybe your hdd is hiccuping [chkdsk might help, or a hdd diagnostic from your manuf's site?]; try running without your vid card if your sys has onboard graphics; remove any other non-essential hardware; cables and plugs - reseat everything, check that your IDE drives have correct cable and jumper placement.
Yeah.... Um.. you have done rootkit [GMER] and malware {MBAM] scans?