You receive a "Stop error code 0x0000000A (IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL)" error message in Windows XP

This article describes several causes and resolutions for a "Stop: 0x0000000A" error message that you receive either during or after the installation of Windows XP. This article is intended for advanced users.

You receive a Stop error message with the following format during or after the installation of Windows XP: In this Stop error message, each parameter is a hexadecimal number that refers to a specific issue:

• Parameter 1 - An address that was referenced incorrectly.
• Parameter 2 - An IRQL that was required to access the memory.
• Parameter 3 - The type of access, where 0 is a read operation and 1 is a write operation.
• Parameter 4 - The address of the instruction that referenced memory in parameter 1.

For example:

This Stop error message usually occurs during installation when there was an attempt in kernel mode to touch pageable memory at too high a process internal request level (IRQL). Typically, this error occurs when a driver uses an incorrect memory address. Other possible causes of this error include an incompatible device driver, a general hardware problem, or incompatible software.

When this Stop error message occurs, first try to resolve the issue by using the Windows Error Reporting tool that is automatically displayed when any error occurs. The Reporting tool sends an error report to Microsoft, and reports a fix or a workaround back to you immediately. If no fix or workaround is available, or if the fix or workaround reported by the tool does not resolve the error, then follow the methods in the "Advanced Troubleshooting" section.

This section includes two sections for advanced troubleshooting:

• If the error occurs during installation, go to the "Error occurs during the installation of Windows XP" section.
• If the error occurs after Windows XP is already installed, go to the "Error occurs after Windows XP is already installed" section.

You may find it easier to follow the methods if you print this article first.

If you receive a "Stop: 0x0000000A" error message during the installation of Windows XP, there might be a problem with the hardware components installed on your computer. First, make sure that your hardware is compatible with Windows XP by following the link in the "Make sure that your hardware is compatible" section. If your hardware is compatible, then follow the procedures to troubleshoot your hardware components in the "If your hardware is compatible, look for other hardware issues" section.

Make sure that your hardware is compatible

For more information, see the "Check System Compatibility" topic on the Windows XP installation CD or DVD to learn about potential software and hardware incompatibility.

If your hardware is compatible, look for other hardware issues

This section provides seven methods that you can use to troubleshoot and to isolate the issue by examining the hardware for potential problems.

Warning This article contains steps that may involve changing the BIOS or CMOS settings, or that may require you to make physical changes to your computer hardware. Incorrect changes to the BIOS of your computer can cause serious problems. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems that are caused by changes to the BIOS can be resolved. Change the BIOS settings at your own risk. If you want help with any of these steps, contact the hardware manufacturer. Making hardware or BIOS changes to your computer may invalidate your warranty. If you do not want to make hardware changes to your computer, take your computer to a repair center.

Prerequisite

Make sure that you have the Windows XP installation CD or DVD available. The following methods require you to use the Windows XP installation CD or DVD to start the computer.

Suggested materials

Before you start the troubleshooting steps, you may want to have the following available:

• Support documentation for any added hardware, adapters, or devices
• Contact information for any added hardware, adapter, or device manufacturers

Method 1: Specify the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)

Use this method first to try to resolve the Stop error message.

1. During the installation startup, press F5 when the "Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration" message is displayed.
2. When you are prompted, make sure that you specify the correct computer type and Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL). For example, if you have a single processor, specify the "Standard PC" HAL.
3. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
   • If this resolves the Stop error message and you successfully install Windows XP, you are finished.
   • If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 2.

Method 2: Turn off features in CMOS settings

Use this method when method 1 does not resolve the Stop error message.

1. Turn off all the following features in the CMOS settings of your computer. For instructions, see the hardware documentation or contact the manufacturer.
   • All caching, including L2, BIOS, internal/external, and writeback caching on disk controllers
   • All shadowing
   • Plug and Play
   • Any BIOS-based virus protection feature
2. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
   • If this resolves the Stop error message, go to step c.
   • If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 3.
3. Try to isolate which feature is causing the error. To do this, re-enable each of these features one at a time, and then restart your computer after you re-enable each feature.
4. If you identify a problem feature, disable or remove it and contact the manufacturer to try to resolve the issue.
   
   If this does not isolate a problem with a CMOS setting, but this does resolve the Stop error message and you can start your computer normally, it may be that a setting was preventing the installation. If this is the case, turn on the setting after you install Windows XP, you are finished.

Method 3: Check the computer RAM

Use this method when method 2 does not resolve the Stop error message. If you need help performing any of the following steps, see the hardware documentation.

1. Remove any mismatched memory SIMMs (the RAM) so that all the SIMMs operate at the same speed. For example, 60 nanoseconds (ns) or 70 ns.
2. Run a systems test on the memory, and remove any bad SIMMs.
3. Test by using different SIMMs if any are available.
4. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
   • If this resolves the Stop error message and you successfully install Windows XP, you are finished.
   • If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 4.

Method 4: Remove any adapters and disconnect any hardware devices

Use this method when method 3 does not resolve the Stop error message.

1. Remove all adapters and disconnect all hardware devices that are not required to start the computer or to install Windows. This includes the following adapters and devices:
   • SCSI devices
   • IDE devices
   • Network adapter
   • Internal modem
   • Sound card
   • Extra hard disks (you have to have at least one to complete the installation)
   • CD drive or DVD drive (if you are installing from the local hard disk)
2. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
   • If this resolves the Stop error message, continue to step c.
   • If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 5.
3. Try to isolate which adapter or hardware device is causing the error. After you reinstall Windows XP, reconnect each adapter or hardware device one at a time. Restart your computer after you reconnect each.
4. If this isolates a problem with hardware, disconnect the adapter or device and contact the vendor to try to resolve the issue.
   
   If this does not isolate a problem with hardware, but this does resolve the Stop error message and you can start your computer normally, it may be that some hardware was preventing the installation. If this is the case, reconnect the hardware after you install Windows XP, and then you are finished.

Method 5: Update SCSI drivers and remove any SCSI devices

Use this method when method 4 does not resolve the Stop error message. If you need help performing any of the following steps, see the hardware documentation.

1. Obtain the latest Windows driver from the adapter vendor.
2. Turn off sync negotiation on the SCSI controller.
3. Verify that termination and IDs of the SCSI devices are correct.
4. Remove all SCSI devices from the SCSI chain (except for one hard disk if you are starting from or installing to a drive that is located on that disk).
5. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
   • If this resolves the Stop error message, continue to step f.
   • If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 6.
6. Try to isolate which SCSI device is causing the error. After you reinstall Windows XP, reconnect each SCSI device one at a time. Restart your computer after you reconnect each.
7. If this isolates a problem with a device, disconnect the SCSI device and contact the vendor to try to resolve the issue.
   
   If this does not isolate a problem with a SCSI device, but this does resolve the Stop error message and you can start your computer normally, it may be that a device was preventing the installation. If this is the case, reconnect the device after you install Windows XP, and then you are finished.

Method 6: Redefine IDE settings and remove any IDE devices

Use this method when method 5 does not resolve the Stop error message. If you need help performing any of the following steps, see the hardware documentation.

1. Define the on-board IDE port to Primary only.
2. Verify that the Master/Subordinate/Only settings for the IDE devices are correct.
3. Remove all IDE devices except for the hard disk.
4. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
   • If this resolves the Stop error message, continue to step e.
   • If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 7.
5. Try to isolate which IDE setting or device is causing the error. After you reinstall Windows XP, reconnect each IDE device one at a time. Restart your computer after you reconnect each.
6. If this isolates a problem setting or device, disable the setting or disconnect the IDE device and contact the vendor to try to resolve the issue.
   
   If this does not isolate a problem with an IDE setting or device, but this does resolve the Stop error message and you can start your computer normally, it may be that a setting or device was preventing the installation. If this is the case, re-enable the setting or reconnect the device after you install Windows XP, and then you are finished.

Method 7: Check with the manufacturer for known issues

Use this method as a last resort when all other methods to try to isolate and resolve the issue do not work.

1. Contact the manufacturer of the computer or the motherboard to see whether there are any known issues about running or installing Windows XP. The manufacturer may be able to help with the following steps:
   • Run a diagnostics program on the computer.
   • Upgrade the computer BIOS if that is applicable.
2. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
   
   If this does not work, visit the following Microsoft Web site for information about how to contact Support:
   http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/

If you receive the "Stop: 0x0000000A" error message after Windows XP is already installed, recently added third-party software or hardware may be causing the error. First, try the methods in the "Troubleshoot third-party software and hardware" section to troubleshoot other components. You may want to have support documentation available for any recently added software or hardware. If these methods do not resolve the issue, then try the methods in the "Restore Windows" section.

Recommended step

We recommend that you back up your system including all personal files and folders before you start the following troubleshooting methods.

Troubleshoot third-party software and hardware

Method 1: Examine recently added third-party software

If you have installed any third-party software, try to remove or disable it so that it does not load. Then, restart the computer to see whether that software or driver is causing the error.

• If there is more than one piece of third-party software, remove or disable each one at a time, and then restart your computer after you remove or disable each to try to isolate which third-party software is causing the error.
• If removing the third-party software resolves the Stop error message, then there was an issue with the software that was causing the error. Report this issue to the vendor to try to resolve the issue.
• If removing the third-party software did not resolve the Stop error message, then the software is not the problem. Go to the "Method 2: Examine recently added third-party hardware" section.

Method 2: Examine recently added third-party hardware

If you added any hardware devices or drivers after Windows was installed, remove the recently added hardware, and then restart your computer to see whether the hardware is causing the error.

• If there is more than one piece of recently added hardware, remove each device or driver one at a time and then restart your computer after you remove each to try to isolate which hardware is causing the error.
• If removing the recently added hardware resolves the Stop error message, then use one or more of the following methods to try to resolve the issue:
  1. Obtain updated drivers for devices if they are available.
  2. Contact the vendor of the device or driver to see whether there are any known issues with the hardware.
  3. Run diagnostics to make sure that the hardware is working correctly.
  If this method resolves the Stop error message, you are finished.
• If removing the recently added device did not resolve the Stop error message, try to restore Windows with System Restore. To do this, go to the "Restore Windows" section.

Restore Windows

If troubleshooting recently added third-party software and hardware does not resolve the Stop error message, try to restore Windows. To do this, first try method 1.

Method 1: Use the Last Known Good Configuration feature

The Last Known Good Configuration feature is a recovery option that you can use when you cannot start Windows XP after you make a change to your computer, or when you suspect that a change that you previously made may have caused a problem. This feature restores registry information and driver settings that were in effect the last time that the computer started successfully. For more information about using the Last Known Good configuration, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

• If this method restores windows and resolves the Stop error message, you are finished.
• If this method did not restore Windows or did not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 2.

Method 2: Repair the Windows XP installation

If you were unable to restore Windows by using the Last Known Good Configuration feature, try to restore Windows by repairing the Windows XP installation.

Prerequisites

Make sure that you have the Windows XP installation CD or DVD available.

Suggested materials

Before you start the troubleshooting steps, you may want to have the following available:

• Antivirus or BIOS-level software documentation
• Computer documentation about how to set up your CD or DVD drive as the first priority startup device

To repair the Windows XP installation, follow these steps:

1. Disable any antivirus program and BIOS-level antivirus protection. For help, see the relevant software manual or online Help.
2. Make sure that the CD or DVD drive is the first priority startup device. See your computer documentation for information about how to do this.
3. Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD or DVD drive, and then restart your computer.
4. When the instruction to "Press any key to boot from CD" appears, press a key. Your computer starts from the Windows XP CD.
5. When the computer starts from the CD, the system verifies your hardware, and then prompts you to select one of the following options:
   • To set up Windows XP now, press ENTER.
   • To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.
   • To exit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.
6. Press ENTER.
7. Press F8 to accept the Licensing Agreement.
8. A box lists your current Windows XP installation, and then the computer prompts you to select one of the following options:
   • To repair the selected Windows XP installation, press R.
   • To continue installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without repairing, press ESC.
9. Press R. After you repair Windows XP, you may have to reactivate Windows XP if you changed some hardware.
   • If this method restores Windows and resolves the Stop error message, you are finished.
   • If this method did not restore Windows or did not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 3.

Method 3: Use the Rollback Driver feature

If you can start your computer in safe mode, use this method to restore Windows when method 2 does not work.

The Rollback Driver feature enables you to replace a device driver by using a previously installed version. You can use this feature if you have installed a new device driver that causes your computer to be unstable. When you use the Rollback Driver feature, you can restore (or roll back) the previous device driver, and continue to use the computer. For more information about how to use the Roll Back Driver feature, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

• If this method restores Windows and resolves the Stop error message, you are finished.
• If this method did not restore Windows or did not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 4.

Method 4: Use the Windows XP System Restore feature

If you can start your computer in safe mode, use this method to restore Windows when method 3 does not work. Windows XP System Restore takes a "snapshot" of critical system files and some program files and stores this information as restore points. You can use these restore points to return Windows XP to a previous state. For more information about how to use the System Restore feature, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

• If this method restores Windows and resolves the Stop error message, you are finished.
• If this method did not restore Windows or did not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 5.

Method 5: Use Recovery Console

We recommend that you use the Recovery Console to restore Windows only after safe mode and other startup options do not work. If you cannot start your computer, you can run the Recovery Console from the Windows XP startup disks or CD-ROM.

You can use Recovery Console to enable and disable services, format drives, read and write data on a local drive (including drives that are formatted to use the NTFS file system), and perform many other administrative tasks. The Recovery Console is especially useful if you have to repair your computer by copying a file from a disk or CD-ROM to your hard disk, or if you have to reconfigure a service that is preventing your computer from starting correctly.

Prerequisites

Make sure that you have the Windows XP installation CD or DVD available. For additional information about how to use Recovery Console, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

• If this method restores Windows and resolves the Stop error message, you are finished.
• If this method did not restore Windows or did not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 6.

Method 6: Rename the problem software or driver

If you can start your computer in DOS or safe mode, use this method as a last resort when all other methods to try to restore Windows do not work.

• If Windows is located on a FAT partition, start the computer by using MS-DOS, and then rename the problem software or driver.
• Otherwise, use safe mode with a Command prompt to start the computer, and then rename the problem software or driver.
  
  For more information about safe mode boot options, visit the Microsoft Help and Support Web site and see "A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP."
  • If this method restores Windows and resolves the Stop error message, you are finished.
  • If this method did not restore Windows or did not resolve the Stop error message, visit the following Microsoft Web site for information about how to contact Support:
    http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/

If the methods in this article do not resolve the "Stop: 0x0000000A" error message, and if you are running Windows on HCL-compliant hardware, refer to the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: