Member Avatar for gitche-gumee

I see that this is a subject addressed many times before, but it seems that each has a different solution based on the parameter listed.
Background:
Dell Dimension 4550 Pentium 4 2.0 ghz 256 mb ram XP (SP3)
no new software installed except for installing new Microsoft Comfort 3000 Opti mouse about three weeks ago.

I can get as far as the desktop beginning to load before the blue screen of death. Went into safe mode and managed to get my picture files and money files copied onto a memeory stick. While in safe mode I went into the Device Manager and the only problem I could find is that the printer driver was flagged. Updated the driver and the flag went away but the computer continues to blue screen on bootup. Thought I could System Restore, but can't under safe mode and can't get system loaded long enough to try.

Tech Info (note - 1st parameter changed 4 times during my attempts to fix)
Original failure :
(0XE1D7A000, 0X0000002, 0X0000000, 0XF9B63CF6)
Changes to 1st parameter
0XE1A48000 then 0XE1A14000 finally is 0XE1A49000

Tried to find these on Microsoft's site but none listed.
I'm not a computer whiz by any means, but I can follow instructions that are in plain English so if anyone can lend a hand I'd appreciate it - my budget can't afford a replacement so I really need to try and get this old PC going again.

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This thread describes a STOP 0xD1 (DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL) blue screen reported by . That stop code means a kernel-mode driver tried to access memory at an invalid IRQL; common root causes are faulty drivers, bad RAM, or I/O controller/disk corruption. Microsoft’s debugger notes explain what the bugcheck indicates and what to look for when a driver name is shown. ()

Priority troubleshooting (in roughly this order):

  • Prevent automatic reboot so the full STOP text and any driver name remain visible: press F8 during boot and choose "Disable automatic restart on system failure." That one line can point to the offending driver.
  • Isolate peripherals: unplug ALL USB/peripheral devices (mouse, printer, external drives). Boot with only keyboard/monitor; if stable, reinstall the device drivers from a clean source in Safe Mode or remove the recently added device driver.
  • Test memory thoroughly with a bootable tester. Create a MemTest86 boot disk/USB on another PC and run multiple passes; any errors indicate bad RAM. If errors appear, try one DIMM at a time and try different slots. (MemTest86)
  • If the machine won’t boot external media, remove the hard drive and attach it to a working PC (USB adapter or internal connection). Immediately copy important data, run antivirus and disk checks there, and inspect the filesystem for corruption.
  • Quick hardware checks: reseat RAM and power cables, listen for failing fans, and visually inspect the motherboard for bulging capacitors. On old systems, PSU or motherboard faults commonly produce intermittent BSODs.

This builds on ’s suggestions about memory and recovery tools. Back up data first, work with the power off and grounded, and if these steps don’t isolate the problem, a cheap replacement RAM stick or a bench test by a local shop is the next economical option.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

a missing number might help ,what was the # before this (0XE1D7A000, 0X0000002, 0X0000000, 0XF9B63CF6), should have looked something like this "0x000000xx(0XE1D7A000, 0X0000002, 0X0000000, 0XF9B63CF6)"

Member Avatar for gitche-gumee

Sorry - 0x000000D1
My understanding is that it is a driver related problem, but I tried checking every driver I could find under Device Manager and could not find anything out of the ordinary.

Member Avatar for caperjack

hi, it could be a bad stick of ram!

Member Avatar for caperjack

Sorry - 0x000000D1
My understanding is that it is a driver related problem, but I tried checking every driver I could find under Device Manager and could not find anything out of the ordinary.

hi, if you have a windows cd, boot to it and go to recovery console and do a , chkdsk /p/r

how to use recovery /
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000627.htm

if you don't have windows cd, you can get file here to create set of 6 boot floppies ,
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310994

Member Avatar for gitche-gumee

I am running into an endless loop here - I have the original Reinstallation CD from Dell for Windows XP, but I can't keep the system running long enough to boot up. I did go to F12 when booting to change the booting to read from the CD first, but even that hasn't helped. I used my daughter's laptop to check out the Microsoft boot floppies, but of course her laptop is new and nobody uses floppies anymore so I can't download. I have a bad feeling that I own 25 pounds of scrap now. I have appreciated your help though, I just think I've come to the end of the road with this problem unless you have any other hopeful ideas. Thanks - Jim

Member Avatar for caperjack

yeah ,recovery cd's are a little harder to use , any winxp cd will be ok to use for the recovery you can borrow one .but even the recovery cd should boot ! open computer case and make sure its not a overheating problem cause by dust buildup

Member Avatar for gitche-gumee

Had to wait to borrow another PC to reply. Looks like I have a terminal problem. Have tried everything suggested and every solution I could locate online without luck. My PC won't load off either its floppy or CD drive on bootup so recovery discs are not working and only on a rare bootup it will get as far as beginning to load the desktop before it blue screens again. I can only figure that I picked up a truely nasty virus that got past my Spybot and Adaware or it is a hardware problem beyond my skills. Unfortunately, in my small town we have only two PC repair providers and they are both not very well thought of. I guess I am going to provide some stimulus to the economy and have to buy a new system. Thanks to all who tried to help. Jim

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