BleepingComputer.com: BSOD & reboot loop. Minidump results included

Blue screen “irql_not_less_or_equal” & reboot loop

I’m trying to help my sister with her laptop issues. She doesn’t do Windows & drivers updates because she says they always cause issues & she gets the blue screen & has to do System Restore, so I don’t know if that could be causing this issue. I’ve tried doing some updates, but same thing – blue screen, reboot loop, and I end up just going into safe mode & doing a system restore. Whatever you need from me, let me know, I’ll download it, post my results, etc. I’d appreciate any help. (If I do end up having to do lots of updates, which order do I do them in? Windows updates before drivers? Certain drivers before other drivers?)

I’ve run Malwarebytes – everything ok. I’ve run Memtest – everything ok. It seems like it runs pretty slowly. I ran DiskCleanup. I ran ScanDisk in SafeMode, and it said some problem files were found & fixed.

Windows Vista Home Premium
Intel® Core™2 Duo CPU T6400 2.00GHz
4.00 GB RAM
Mobile Intel® 4 Series Express Chipset Family

In Device manager, she has yellow exclamation marks next to Base System Device, Ethernet Controller, and SM Bus Controller under the Other Devices category.

I downloaded BlueScreenview. I have attached the results. Thanks in advance.

Let's try this.

Download/install BlueScreenView, http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html .

Double-click BlueScreenView.exe file.

When scanning is done, click Edit/Select All...then File/Save Selected Items.

Save the report as BSOD.txt.

Open BSOD.txt in Notepad, copy all content and paste it into your next reply.

Louis

I've done that & attached the results, but I'll go ahead & paste it here. (There have been more BSODs & I don't know why they're not included here. Maybe because the System Restores? I don't know)

==================================================
Dump File : Mini021110-01.dmp
Crash Time : 2/11/2010 4:04:28 PM
Bug Check String : IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x0000000a
Parameter 1 : 00000000`00000880
Parameter 2 : 00000000`0000000c
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000001
Parameter 4 : fffff800`01c74985
Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe
Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+546d0
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+546d0
Stack Address 1 :
Stack Address 2 :
Stack Address 3 :
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini021110-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6001
Dump File Size : 270,656
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini022510-01.dmp
Crash Time : 2/25/2010 11:50:36 PM
Bug Check String : IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x0000000a
Parameter 1 : 00000000`656c6473
Parameter 2 : 00000000`0000000c
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000000
Parameter 4 : fffff800`01cb76b3
Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe
Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+546d0
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+546d0
Stack Address 1 :
Stack Address 2 :
Stack Address 3 :
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini022510-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6001
Dump File Size : 270,656
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini042510-01.dmp
Crash Time : 4/25/2010 1:38:12 PM
Bug Check String : IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x0000000a
Parameter 1 : 00000000`656c6473
Parameter 2 : 00000000`0000000c
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000000
Parameter 4 : fffff800`01ca06b3
Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe
Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+546d0
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+546d0
Stack Address 1 :
Stack Address 2 :
Stack Address 3 :
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini042510-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6001
Dump File Size : 270,656
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini042610-01.dmp
Crash Time : 4/26/2010 9:10:26 PM
Bug Check String : IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x0000000a
Parameter 1 : 00000000`00000880
Parameter 2 : 00000000`0000000c
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000001
Parameter 4 : fffff800`01c3d9a5
Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe
Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+54690
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+54690
Stack Address 1 :
Stack Address 2 :
Stack Address 3 :
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini042610-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6001
Dump File Size : 270,656
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini052810-01.dmp
Crash Time : 5/28/2010 9:14:27 PM
Bug Check String : IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x0000000a
Parameter 1 : 00000000`00000080
Parameter 2 : 00000000`0000000c
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000001
Parameter 4 : fffff800`01e3c9a5
Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe
Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+54690
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+54690
Stack Address 1 :
Stack Address 2 :
Stack Address 3 :
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini052810-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6001
Dump File Size : 270,656
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini082810-01.dmp
Crash Time : 8/28/2010 9:35:34 PM
Bug Check String : IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x0000000a
Parameter 1 : 00000000`00000880
Parameter 2 : 00000000`0000000c
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000001
Parameter 4 : fffff800`0243f9a5
Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe
Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+54690
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+54690
Stack Address 1 :
Stack Address 2 :
Stack Address 3 :
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini082810-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6001
Dump File Size : 270,656
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini101910-01.dmp
Crash Time : 10/19/2010 8:17:03 PM
Bug Check String : IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x0000000a
Parameter 1 : 00000000`00000088
Parameter 2 : 00000000`0000000c
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000001
Parameter 4 : fffff800`026339a5
Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe
Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+54690
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+54690
Stack Address 1 :
Stack Address 2 :
Stack Address 3 :
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini101910-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6001
Dump File Size : 270,656
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini010211-01.dmp
Crash Time : 1/2/2011 10:06:49 PM
Bug Check String : IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x0000000a
Parameter 1 : 00000000`00000880
Parameter 2 : 00000000`0000000c
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000001
Parameter 4 : fffff800`026839a5
Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe
Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+54690
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+54690
Stack Address 1 :
Stack Address 2 :
Stack Address 3 :
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini010211-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6001
Dump File Size : 270,656
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini012611-01.dmp
Crash Time : 1/26/2011 1:46:42 PM
Bug Check String : IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x0000000a
Parameter 1 : 00000000`656c6473
Parameter 2 : 00000000`0000000c
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000000
Parameter 4 : fffff800`026ba3b3
Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe
Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+553d0
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+553d0
Stack Address 1 :
Stack Address 2 :
Stack Address 3 :
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini012611-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6001
Dump File Size : 270,656
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini041111-01.dmp
Crash Time : 4/11/2011 3:45:32 PM
Bug Check String : IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x0000000a
Parameter 1 : 00000000`00000880
Parameter 2 : 00000000`0000000c
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000001
Parameter 4 : fffff800`026289a5
Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe
Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+553d0
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+553d0
Stack Address 1 :
Stack Address 2 :
Stack Address 3 :
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini041111-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6001
Dump File Size : 270,656
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini041611-01.dmp
Crash Time : 4/16/2011 8:19:39 PM
Bug Check String : IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x0000000a
Parameter 1 : 00000000`00000880
Parameter 2 : 00000000`0000000c
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000001
Parameter 4 : fffff800`026789a5
Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe
Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+553d0
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+553d0
Stack Address 1 :
Stack Address 2 :
Stack Address 3 :
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini041611-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6001
Dump File Size : 270,656
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini050111-01.dmp
Crash Time : 5/1/2011 5:32:28 PM
Bug Check String : IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x0000000a
Parameter 1 : 00000000`00000088
Parameter 2 : 00000000`0000000c
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000001
Parameter 4 : fffff800`0266e9d9
Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe
Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+55410
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+55410
Stack Address 1 :
Stack Address 2 :
Stack Address 3 :
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini050111-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6001
Dump File Size : 270,656
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini051811-01.dmp
Crash Time : 5/18/2011 5:44:47 PM
Bug Check String : IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x0000000a
Parameter 1 : 00000000`0000002a
Parameter 2 : 00000000`0000000c
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000000
Parameter 4 : fffff800`026ab3b3
Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe
Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+55410
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+55410
Stack Address 1 :
Stack Address 2 :
Stack Address 3 :
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini051811-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6001
Dump File Size : 270,656
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : Mini062811-01.dmp
Crash Time : 6/28/2011 10:25:43 PM
Bug Check String : IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x0000000a
Parameter 1 : 00000000`00000880
Parameter 2 : 00000000`0000000c
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000001
Parameter 4 : fffff800`0262f9d9
Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe
Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+55410
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+55410
Stack Address 1 :
Stack Address 2 :
Stack Address 3 :
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini062811-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6001
Dump File Size : 270,656
==================================================

You need to start by downloading and installing all appropriate drivers beginning with the chipset driver. Get all drivers from website of the laptop manufacturer

Sorry, my brain did not engage and see the attachment on your initial post...chalk it up to my ever-advancing senility .

Looking at those errors (now), I'd have to guess at some hardware issue. There is no definitive guidance on troubleshooting the type of erros that you display, but...I would start with the video drivers as a plausible suspect (they are, in many cases).

<<She doesn’t do Windows & drivers updates...>>

That's not a good thing...in regard to Windows critical updates. That means that the system is more vulnerable to malware than it needs to be.

Driver updates are only necessary when the system displays a problem with some given device requiing drivers, IMO.

Another possible factor to consider would be system overheating, IMO. An owner/user who doesn't install critical updates...probably hasn't been overly concerned with possible system overheating issues, IMO. As a start, I would try to eliminate that...even before installing all applicable critical updates.

<<...she has yellow exclamation marks next to Base System Device, Ethernet Controller, and SM Bus Controller under the Other Devices category...>>

System manufacturer and model, please (e.g., Dell Inspiron 1525)?

Louis

Dell Studio laptop 1737

Vista 32-bit Drivers, Dell Studio 1737

Before downloading/installing anything...I would like you follow the procedures outlined at http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic323892.html/page__p__1797792#entry1797792 .

Louis

I’ve already went to Dell’s website, typed in my service tag & downloaded the 2 Chipset driver updates. I also downloaded the urgent Dell-Utility update under the System Utilities category. After this update, which took forever!, I noticed Windows did some updates upon the restart & I got a BSOD. I clicked on Start Windows Normally and now I’m stuck in this reboot/BSOD loop again. Should I do a System Restore again?

The latest dmp

==================================================
Dump File : Mini072511-01.dmp
Crash Time : 7/25/2011 4:37:32 PM
Bug Check String : IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Bug Check Code : 0x0000000a
Parameter 1 : 00000000`00000088
Parameter 2 : 00000000`0000000c
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000001
Parameter 4 : fffff800`02637045
Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe
Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+4d6d0
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Crash Address : ntoskrnl.exe+4d6d0
Stack Address 1 :
Stack Address 2 :
Stack Address 3 :
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini072511-01.dmp
Processors Count : 2
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 6001
Dump File Size : 270,656
==================================================

Okay, so I did System Restore & undid the latest update, so the only changes I have are the 2 Chipset driver updates from Dell's website.

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/ZGhyOCnaOOPKpRUDE24TdTc

Should I download more driver updates? I'll wait for a reply.

I would only have installed the Intel chipset driver for now...and I would have uninstalled any drivers currently reflected as installed. I would have gone back to the beginning since it appears that something has been amiss for a very long time.

I would then systematically uninstall every driver currently installed for hardware devices...and replaced them one by one, checking for obvious problems after each.

Louis

Yikes, okay, I know it's a mess, but I don't even know where to start. I'm not really familiar with all this.

If I uninstall a driver, I can download a replacement & get it right back, right?
Also, how do I uninstall a driver? Through Device Manager?
Then go to Dell's website to replace it?
And when do I do the Windows updates?

I would have done the Windows updates before fooling around with anything else...a vulnerabile system is not a good system.

To uninstall device drivers, Device Manager is the route. Each driver should reflect an uninstall tab, after you double-click the individual line item.

Dell system...Dell website for drivers.

Louis