IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL - Power Problems?

[bradly1101]

I made a post here before about this. Very occasionally when my PC is in a low power state (in standby or browsing) I will get a BSOD, always an IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. I've scoured the internet with bug check codes and only found one theme; the system tried to write paged memory in the unpaged area. Huh?

So I remembered how my TV and receiver will not always turn on with a remote, which I believe means the power sagged at one point.

Originally while idling my 4930K ran at about .84V. I bumped that up to .86V and the problem was greatly reduced. Where can you find the minimum voltage rating? But it just happened again while in standby. I don't want to increase the offset a lot, and I know a solution would be a UPS (which I don't have room for, and whose batteries aren't very long lasting). But is there anything like a giant capacitor that could prevent the voltage sag? Don't power supplies come with such components? Could this be a PS issue?

The Corsair 16GB of DDR3 (1600) passes memtest just fine.
Otherwise the system is:
GA-X79 UP4
980TI
SSD, 2 hard drives
Corsair TX 850W

 

[UsandThem]

It could be PSU related, but do you know the model number of the ram you use? Also, is it a 4 x 4 GB or 2 x8 GB configuration? What operating system are you using?

 

[bradly1101]

It could be PSU related, but do you know the model number of the ram you use? Also, is it a 4 x 4 GB or 2 x8 GB configuration? What operating system are you using?

Oops, sorry, it's Win 7, and this is the RAM (4x4 so I could use quad-channel):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058J1QYC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Narse]

It sounds like you may have dirty power and honestly a UPS is a good investment. The batteries last longer than you would think, on some of the newer units we use at work we replace the batteries every 2-3 years. I personally use a UPS for almost all of my consoles and PCs in my home.

It also could be a power supply or RAM issue.

 

[UsandThem]

Oops, sorry, it's Win 7, and this is the RAM (4x4 so I could use quad-channel):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058J1QYC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I checked Gigabye's QVL and that RAM wasn't on there, and I checked Corsair's memory finder tool on their website, and they don't even list that motherboard at all. So I checked the RAM they certified with the GA-x79-UD5, and your RAM was not on the list.

First thing I would do to rule it out is maybe contact their tech support, and see if that RAM is fully compatible with your board. Sometimes incompatible RAM could cause random, quirky issues like you are experiencing. You could also try running your system with 1-2 sticks to see if using 4 sticks is causing the issue (sometimes only up to 2 sticks work properly in a motherboard based on their timings).

For example, on my current motherboard there are several sets of RAM from Corsair and G Skill that will only work properly with 1-2 sticks. Both Gigabyte and G Skill report they failed when using four sticks.

 

[denis280]

did you try this.http://www.resplendence.com/whocrashed

 

[bradly1101]

I checked Gigabye's QVL and that RAM wasn't on there, and I checked Corsair's memory finder tool on their website, and they don't even list that motherboard at all. So I checked the RAM they certified with the GA-x79-UD5, and your RAM was not on the list.

First thing I would do to rule it out is maybe contact their tech support, and see if that RAM is fully compatible with your board. Sometimes incompatible RAM could cause random, quirky issues like you are experiencing. You could also try running your system with 1-2 sticks to see if using 4 sticks is causing the issue (sometimes only up to 2 sticks work properly in a motherboard based on their timings).

For example, on my current motherboard there are several sets of RAM from Corsair and G Skill that will only work properly with 1-2 sticks. Both Gigabyte and G Skill report they failed when using four sticks.

Thank you. And this could be possible even though it passes Memtest? I tried slowing the RAM to 1333 and even 1066 with no change.

The system is perfectly stable during gaming, video editing, or anything demanding.

 

[bradly1101]

did you try this.http://www.resplendence.com/whocrashed

Thank you, yes. That's where I got an unhelpful, "This could be caused by an outdated driver, or hardware..."

 

[bradly1101]

It sounds like you may have dirty power and honestly a UPS is a good investment. The batteries last longer than you would think, on some of the newer units we use at work we replace the batteries every 2-3 years. I personally use a UPS for almost all of my consoles and PCs in my home.

It also could be a power supply or RAM issue.

Thanks!

 

[UsandThem]

Thank you. And this could be possible even though it passes Memtest? I tried slowing the RAM to 1333 and even 1066 with no change.

The system is perfectly stable during gaming, video editing, or anything demanding.

Definitely. Memtest might not encounter errors when fully powered, but coming out of a sleep state could be the issue. RAM that isn't fully compatible could work in most conditions, but give odd crashes or errors.

Corsair has good customer service, so I'd shoot their technical support an email to see if they may have already encountered this issue. If they have no record of it, go ahead and try running your computer with 1-2 sticks of RAM, and see if you still get the same crashes coming out of sleep.

You have identified the problem, now we have to go through steps to identify it. Ruling out the RAM as an issue is probably the easiest one to do. After that, you would need to possibly try another PSU, buy a UPS, test video card and hard drive, etc.

 

[bradly1101]

Definitely. Memtest might not encounter errors when fully powered, but coming out of a sleep state could be the issue. RAM that isn't fully compatible could work in most conditions, but give odd crashes or errors.

Corsair has good customer service, so I'd shoot their technical support an email to see if they may have already encountered this issue. If they have no record of it, go ahead and try running your computer with 1-2 sticks of RAM, and see if you still get the same crashes coming out of sleep.

You have identified the problem, now we have to go through steps to identify it. Ruling out the RAM as an issue is probably the easiest one to do. After that, you would need to possibly try another PSU, buy a UPS, test video card and hard drive, etc.

I guess I could do the long term test; it only happens at most once a month, and like I said it got a lot more stable when I bumped up the procs. voltage .02V.

 

[UsandThem]

I guess I could do the long term test; it only happens at most once a month, and like I said it got a lot more stable when I bumped up the procs. voltage .02V.

And sometimes things like that work. I've seen people buy ram that wasn't fully compatible and have minor issues, and all they did was up the voltage a little bit, and it became stable. I've seen people buy RAM and their system would refuse to boot altogether. There are just so many different variables with computers.......over-volt, under-volt, Windows Update, driver issue, BIOS settings, etc. I do however think if it was a PSU issue, it would happen a lot more than once a month.

The problem with infrequent issues like you are experiencing is figuring it out. It is tougher than say if your RAM was showing errors in Memtest, or if your computer crashed every time you put a load on your PSU, or if the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool showed your CPU throwing errors.

 

[RLGL]

My experience with the IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error has always been memory related. Test the sticks individually and in each slot. Don't rule out the controller on the board.

 

[bradly1101]

My experience with the IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error has always been memory related. Test the sticks individually and in each slot. Don't rule out the controller on the board.

Isn't the controller in the CPU?

 

[bradly1101]

And sometimes things like that work. I've seen people buy ram that wasn't fully compatible and have minor issues, and all they did was up the voltage a little bit, and it became stable. I've seen people buy RAM and their system would refuse to boot altogether. There are just so many different variables with computers.......over-volt, under-volt, Windows Update, driver issue, BIOS settings, etc. I do however think if it was a PSU issue, it would happen a lot more than once a month.

The problem with infrequent issues like you are experiencing is figuring it out. It is tougher than say if your RAM was showing errors in Memtest, or if your computer crashed every time you put a load on your PSU, or if the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool showed your CPU throwing errors.

I jut tried that Proc. Diag. and it passed that too. I'm just still wondering if because I have saggy power, that in these low power states, if there's a sag, would the computer do this?

 

[UsandThem]

I jut tried that Proc. Diag. and it passed that too. I'm just still wondering if because I have saggy power, that in these low power states, if there's a sag, would the computer do this?

It could be your PSU and it could also be power related. However, I personally think if it was those, the crash would happen more often than once a month. But there is only one true way to rule those two things out; Try another PSU and buy a UPS (or take it to location where the power is stable).

"Saggy" power is tough on all computer components, so it would be a smart investment regardless if that is the cause of crashes or not. I run all my computers on Cyber Power UPS systems here because of power issues (storms, power loss, and brown outs).

 

[bradly1101]

It could be your PSU and it could also be power related. However, I personally think if it was those, the crash would happen more often than once a month. But there is only one true way to rule those two things out; Try another PSU and buy a UPS (or take it to location where the power is stable).

"Saggy" power is tough on all computer components, so it would be a smart investment regardless if that is the cause of crashes or not. I run all my computers on Cyber Power UPS systems here because of power issues (storms, power loss, and brown outs).

Do UPS's have built in line conditioning?

 

[UsandThem]

Do UPS's have built in line conditioning?

Some higher-end units do. I use Cyber Power CP1500PFCLCD units, and they feature AVR (automatic voltage regulation) which corrects over and under power issues coming from the wall.

If you watch for sales, you can get one of these under $140. They normally hover around $200.

http://slickdeals.net/f/8940455-cyberpower-pure-1500va-900w-sinewave-ups-134-95-free-shipping

http://ehomerecordingstudio.com/uninterruptible-power-supply/

 

[bradly1101]

Some higher-end units do. I use Cyber Power CP1500PFCLCD units, and they feature AVR (automatic voltage regulation) which corrects over and under power issues coming from the wall.

If you watch for sales, you can get one of these under $140. They normally hover around $200.

http://slickdeals.net/f/8940455-cyberpower-pure-1500va-900w-sinewave-ups-134-95-free-shipping

http://ehomerecordingstudio.com/uninterruptible-power-supply/

Thank you! I was looking at their different models, and this one looks perfect!

 

[bradly1101]

Some higher-end units do. I use Cyber Power CP1500PFCLCD units, and they feature AVR (automatic voltage regulation) which corrects over and under power issues coming from the wall.

If you watch for sales, you can get one of these under $140. They normally hover around $200.

http://slickdeals.net/f/8940455-cyberpower-pure-1500va-900w-sinewave-ups-134-95-free-shipping

http://ehomerecordingstudio.com/uninterruptible-power-supply/

I'm looking at their 600W model:

https://www.amazon.com/CyberPower-BRG1000AVRLCD-1000VA-Outlets-Ports/dp/B00NWRO81K

That should be enough for a 4930K/980TI, right?

 

[UsandThem]

I'm looking at their 600W model:

https://www.amazon.com/CyberPower-BRG1000AVRLCD-1000VA-Outlets-Ports/dp/B00NWRO81K

That should be enough for a 4930K/980TI, right?

That's not the better simulated sine wave model, which some active PFC power supplies have issues with.

Outside of that, your system probably pulls about 125-150w at idle, so the 600w would give you 5 minutes or so of power. I'd personally get the larger PFC model I linked to.

 

[UsandThem]

Here's a better choice for right now:

http://slickdeals.net/f/9084035-b-h...kup-97-95-free-shipping?src=SiteSearchV2Algo1

 

[bradly1101]

Here's a better choice for right now:

http://slickdeals.net/f/9084035-b-h...kup-97-95-free-shipping?src=SiteSearchV2Algo1

Thanks that looks great.

 

[bigboxes]

Some higher-end units do. I use Cyber Power CP1500PFCLCD units, and they feature AVR (automatic voltage regulation) which corrects over and under power issues coming from the wall.

If you watch for sales, you can get one of these under $140. They normally hover around $200.

http://slickdeals.net/f/8940455-cyberpower-pure-1500va-900w-sinewave-ups-134-95-free-shipping

http://ehomerecordingstudio.com/uninterruptible-power-supply/

I run a pair of those CP1500PFCLCD models. One for my main rig and one for the file server, plus monitor, speakers and networking equipment between the two of them. Everything stays up 45-55 minutes in the event of a power outage. That means I normally never have down time. Replace the batteries every three years and you should be fine.

 

[bradly1101]

The problem is so infrequent, it's hard to justify the expense. Would this kind of BSOD, if related to power, cause any damage? It always happens when I'm not needing to save anything, so nothing's been lost by it.