irql_not_less_or-equal

[jrgeoffrion]

Over the last few days, my system performance has been deteriorating. It is not getting slower, but rather, I'm getting frequent crashes after being up for 10 seconds to one minute. Unfortunately, I can't link this to any "event" such as new hardware or software installs.

The system boots and crashes almost immediately at the moment and the last five boots resulted in the following blue screen messages:

page fault in nonpaged area
irql not less or equal
memory management
irql not less or equal

In addition, I just noticed that when the first boot screen appears, it says "256MB RAM" rather than the 2Gb that is in the machine (I had 4Gb but removed the extra two thinking it may have been the problem). I don't know if that's unusual as I've never noticed it saying "4GB RAM" on that screen.

I also got a "Code 0xC004E002" on the last attempt.

Frequently and recently, I was getting squiggly green screens if I hit CTRL-ALT-DEL and there was no way to get the Windows screen back.

For reference, my system is:
OS: Vista Ultimate 64-bit
Motherboard: ASUS A8N-SLI Premium
CPU: AMD 4800+
RAM: 4Gb Corsair Value Select
GPU: eVGA 7900FT
HD: Western Digital WD1600YS-01SHB0 SATA (system + cache) and three 320Gb WD SATA.

Can someone point me in the right direction to solve my issue? If you need any more information, please do not hesitate to ask, I'll be happy to answer. I'm typing this from my 5 y.o. computer

JR

 

[cprince]

I think it's a RAM issue. If you have a 64-bit operating system and you don't see 4GB of RAM(assuming none dedicated to on board memory or turbo cache), then something is wrong. Check with memtest86.

 

[jrgeoffrion]

Prince,

I see the 4Gb of RAM if I'm able to boot and then go to the welcome center. When booting, the first black screen with white writing says: 256Mb RAM. I'll remove the RAM and start it again with a single stick. If that doesn't work, I'll try another stick.

Any other ideas?

 

[cprince]

Originally posted by: jrgeoffrion
Prince,

I see the 4Gb of RAM if I'm able to boot and then go to the welcome center. When booting, the first black screen with white writing says: 256Mb RAM.

The 256MB of RAM might be your video card memory.

 

[jrgeoffrion]

Gotcha! Any other ideas? Ever seen the squiggly green screen with the eVGA7900GT?

 

[cprince]

Check your primary hard drive for errors(run diagnostic software if possible). How big is your power supply?

 

[jrgeoffrion]

My PSU is 600W (a Seasonic -- can't remember the model off hand).

However, it's getting worse. I remove one of the memory stick (leaving me with 1Gb). I managed to boot, but now, it is telling me on the bottom right corner of my screen that "This is not a genuine version of Window Vista" -- it said something to that effect when I got the "Code 0xC004E002" error. My version is totally legitimate as it was obtained from MS directly and had been working just fine for the last 6 months or so... Unfortunately, my keyboard and mouse seem to be "locked" by the OS. Anyway where to call or what to do to re-enable the OS? This is totally crazy!

 

[cprince]

You might have to reactivate your copy of Vista when you can get online again. I don't know what number to call, though.

 

[jrgeoffrion]

Looks like I have to call MSFT... Anyone has the number to [re]activate my copy?

 

[Jiggz]

If you can boot now, can you do a Repair Re-installation? I've experienced the error you mentioned with my XP. This is after months of usage and the fact that my copy is a legit and activated copy. The system locked me out so I had to do a Repair Installation. After installation and activation everything was back to normal. I believe the problem was related with the new version of MSN Messenger or Live Messenger ver. 8.0.

 

[jrgeoffrion]

Thanks -- I'll try that first thing in the am.

 

[Kakumba]

I would expect re-activation, as the amount of RAM presented to windows has changed multiple times. I cant remember exactly how Vista does it, but I think it may be a little more sensitive to hardware changes than XP, in terms of requiring re-activation.

 

[imported_Baloo]

The need to re-activate does not result in BSOD's. He's got some other problem he needs to fix first.. IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL is always a hardware problem. usually fixed by a driver update. But your's came on with no changes, neither in hardware nor drivers? Is that Correct? If that is the case, you have a piece of hardware failing.

 

[jrgeoffrion]

Here is what I did:

1) Went back to 2Gb RAM and it booted and then crashed with the irql error within seconds.
2) Changed my 2Gb RAM sticks for my #3 and #4 sticks and booted.

No problem. No Windows error. I've been up for an hour or so and all looks good. When I'm bored, I'll check my two 1GB sticks to see if they would be faulty -- which I suspect.

Of course, I promptly backed up all my files... ;-) Thanks for all your help.

Kind regards,

JR