ECS KT600-A IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL XP Install Error

[BraveSirRobbin]

My latest build is giving me some problems.

I have the following hardware:

AMD Sempron 3000+ CPU
Elite KT600-A Motherboard
Sony DRU720A CD/DVD
Western Digital 250 GB SATA Hard Drive, 7200 RPM, w/8MB
Kaser FX5200 Video Card w/128MB
Kingston 512 MB PC3200 CL3 memory stick

I set the FSB speed on the motherboard to 200MHZ and that is the only jumper I changed from the defaults.

I copied the SATA driver's from the motherboard's installation CD to a floppy as instructed (in the motherboard's manual).

I started the Windows XP install process and pressed F6 for third party drivers and inserted this floppy when directed. I chose the correct driver's for the operating system and they seemed to install properly.

When the windows install process go to "Starting Windows" I got the following BSD error:

IRQL_NOT_LETT_OR_EQUAL
Stop: 0x0000000A (0XF000E209, 0x00000002, 0x00000000, 0x808111D5A)

I looked at the Microsoft Knowledge Base site and didn't get any good clues as to what this particular problem would be.

Can anyone possibly help me out?

Thanks,

BSR

 

[StormRider]

I got this error when I built a system with an Epox KT600 based motherboard. The default bios set the memory voltage at 2.7v. I thought it was a little too high so I lowered it to 2.5v. When I tried to install Windows XP, I got that error so I up it back to the 2.7v default.

After that, I didn't get that message but it seemed stuck when installing Windows. It seemed to be stuck around the point when it was installing the USB stuff. So, I unplugged my USB scanner and tried reinstalling. This time it went through okay.

I've had some minor problems with the USB ports on my system. Sometimes, it doesn't seem to recognize some USB devices after booting up -- other times it's fine. Other than that, my system seems to be running okay.

 

[StormRider]

My advice is that if you have any USB devices (other than the keyboard and mouse) is to disconnect them when installing Windows. After Windows is installed, you can plug them back in.

 

[Peter]

Rule #1 for new builds: Before installing the OS, check voltage levels and temperatures, and then run a RAM test. www.memtest.org

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Thanks for the replies.

I only had the hardware mentioned above installed (keep it simple during the first Windows installation).

I did check the temps and voltages levels via the Bios for a few hours before installing the operating system.

I lowered the FSB speed to 166 and it went through OK.

Peter, excellent suggestion, will do that now!

I really appreciate the replies and support.

Regards,

BSR

 

[StormRider]

Isn't the Sempron supposed to only run at a FSB of 166 Mhz?

 

[Peter]

Yes it is.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Wow, I didn't realize this. Fry's was selling the AMD Sempron 3000+ combined with an ECS KT600-A motherboard for $89.

I had the Kingston PC3200 512 MB stick so I just stuck it in "assuming" that this would run at 200 MHZ.

BTW, I reset the jumpers on the mobo to 200 MHZ and ran the memory test from memtest.org four times with no errors.

Windows XP is running fine. What diagnostics can I run in Windows to make sure this is stable (do people still use Sandra (Website?)).

It's been awhile since my last build (Epox 8K7A) and I'm afraid my "rust" is showing!

Thanks,

BSR

 

[StormRider]

Actually, one of my stability tests is to see if I can install Windows with those settings. I think the fact that you had problems installing Windows with a FSB of 200 means that it really isn't super stable at those settings.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Yes, excellent point.

I'll be watching this like a hawk and drop down if I deem it unstable.

I downloaded Sandra 2005 and it has passed every test I've thrown at it (with multiple runs), but that doesn't mean problems won't come up as you suggest!

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Kind of funny, I ran every diagnostic and memory test I knew of. My five year old got on it and crashed it in two minutes after playing a power ranger's game!

Dropped it down to 133 and it seems stable (at least for know). Maybe I should rent him out as a stress tester.

 

[Peter]

PC3200 RAM means you can run the _RAM_ bus at 200 MHz. The _CPU_ bus (aka FSB) remains at 166 for _any_ socket-A Sempron.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Peter and Storm Rider:

I get it now! I should know this stuff, but again cobwebs and the "rust" thing I guess got to me.

Thanks for your kind patience and helpful replies!

BSR

 

[WildstarJP]

I got the same motherboard with a Sempron 2500+ from Fry's recently. It would freeze up and have errors when the jumpers were set to 200FSB and way underclocked at 100 & 133 FSBes. It wouldn't post at all at it's proper setting of 166, which was printed below the 200FSB setting (100, 133, 200, 166). The only thing that corrected this problem was using another PC to go to ECS website to get the latest bios and flash the system. After that, the cpu posted and performed properly with a 166MHz FSB. It seems that these mobos were not truly Sempron-ready right out of the box. I hope this helps.

 

[Odeen]

A) Flash to the latest BIOS
B) Set FSB jumpers on the motherboard to 166mhz FSB
C) Set RAM speed in the BIOS to 166mhz. My experience with the KT600-A is that it doesn't really like 400mhz RAM running at 400mhz when the FSB is 333. To compensate, adjust memory timings to 2.5-3-3.