Can't access OS

h2osmack · 10-29-2009, 08:32 AM

This may be a tricky one.

When booting up a Packard Bell desktop, I can access the BIOS and the diagnostics and boot options of the hard drive. As soon as I try to boot into Windows XP the pc restarts itself.

The things I have tried:

booting into safe mode - result is the same
grabbing the blue screen - results in an IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error code: 0x0000000A
Booting a Ubuntu OS from an external hard drive - result is the same

This got me thinking that it might be a Graphics card issue, because it only fails when loading an OS.
However, I then proceeded to do a memtest and on the 3rd test I got: Unexpected Interrupt - Halting
I've been struggling to find out what this actually means.

I'm hoping someone could push me in the right direction with this one.

**Tyree** · 10-29-2009, 10:38 AM

That Error Code can occur after installing new driver, service, or firmware.
Failing hardware and Memory issues can also cause it.

h2osmack · 10-30-2009, 08:41 AM

ok, these are the tests and results I got. I'm positive its hardware, but i'm stumped as to which.

Problem:
• System temperature is reaching dangerous levels in BIOS (90C+).
• When trying to boot an operating system (in any mode), the computer switches off.

Tests taken:
• Tried ‘memtesting’ (memtest v2.11) on both RAM modules from software on a CD. Received different errors at different test locations, at each of my three attempts.
• The CPU fan was badly caked in dust which could have easily caused overheating. Cleared fan of dust and checked other fans in the system for functionality. After doing this, the BIOS still shows high temperatures.
• Tried to boot a Linux OS from an external USB hard drive. Again the system shuts down when it enters driver checking sequence and OS bootup(the Linux OS does work on other systems).
• Forced a BSOD to appear and got the error code: 0x0000000A IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
• Took the hard drive out of the machine and made it a slave.
• Plugged it into my own system and did a virus scan (Nod32).
Can access the drive fine so that rules out a hard-drive error causing the shutdowns.

**Tyree** · 10-30-2009, 09:07 AM

PC Specs?
Brand name & Model Number?

**greenbrucelee** · 10-31-2009, 02:19 AM

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL = bad ram

The CPU fan was badly caked in dust which could have easily caused overheating. Cleared fan of dust and checked other fans in the system for functionality. After doing this, the BIOS still shows high temperatures = clean of thermal compound with 90% isopropyl alcohol or arti clean 1 & 2 do the same for the cpu and reapply thermal compound.

if memtest is showing errors your ram is definetly knackered.

what psu are you using (there is a sticker on the side of it)

10-29-2009, 08:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
h2osmack Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Notlob Posts: 51 OS: Windows XP 32bit SP3, Windows Vista 32bit SP1, Ubuntu 9.04 JJ	Can't access OS This may be a tricky one. When booting up a Packard Bell desktop, I can access the BIOS and the diagnostics and boot options of the hard drive. As soon as I try to boot into Windows XP the pc restarts itself. The things I have tried: booting into safe mode - result is the same grabbing the blue screen - results in an IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error code: 0x0000000A Booting a Ubuntu OS from an external hard drive - result is the same This got me thinking that it might be a Graphics card issue, because it only fails when loading an OS. However, I then proceeded to do a memtest and on the 3rd test I got: Unexpected Interrupt - Halting I've been struggling to find out what this actually means. I'm hoping someone could push me in the right direction with this one.

10-29-2009, 10:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,640 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Can't access OS That Error Code can occur after installing new driver, service, or firmware. Failing hardware and Memory issues can also cause it. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-30-2009, 08:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
h2osmack Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Notlob Posts: 51 OS: Windows XP 32bit SP3, Windows Vista 32bit SP1, Ubuntu 9.04 JJ	Re: Can't access OS ok, these are the tests and results I got. I'm positive its hardware, but i'm stumped as to which. Problem: • System temperature is reaching dangerous levels in BIOS (90C+). • When trying to boot an operating system (in any mode), the computer switches off. Tests taken: • Tried ‘memtesting’ (memtest v2.11) on both RAM modules from software on a CD. Received different errors at different test locations, at each of my three attempts. • The CPU fan was badly caked in dust which could have easily caused overheating. Cleared fan of dust and checked other fans in the system for functionality. After doing this, the BIOS still shows high temperatures. • Tried to boot a Linux OS from an external USB hard drive. Again the system shuts down when it enters driver checking sequence and OS bootup(the Linux OS does work on other systems). • Forced a BSOD to appear and got the error code: 0x0000000A IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL • Took the hard drive out of the machine and made it a slave. • Plugged it into my own system and did a virus scan (Nod32). Can access the drive fine so that rules out a hard-drive error causing the shutdowns.

10-30-2009, 09:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,640 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Can't access OS PC Specs? Brand name & Model Number? __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-31-2009, 02:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,853 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: Can't access OS IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL = bad ram The CPU fan was badly caked in dust which could have easily caused overheating. Cleared fan of dust and checked other fans in the system for functionality. After doing this, the BIOS still shows high temperatures = clean of thermal compound with 90% isopropyl alcohol or arti clean 1 & 2 do the same for the cpu and reapply thermal compound. if memtest is showing errors your ram is definetly knackered. what psu are you using (there is a sticker on the side of it) __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified