IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Windows 10 boot loop error

[this_is_dale_94]

Hi all, long time listener/reader and first time caller to Tom's hardware! I've been having constant issues with IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL in windows 10, going into boot loops and I'm hoping someone has some insight and knowledge as to a solution.

To start, these are the specs I'm running;

CPU: Intel 4790K 4GHz
GPU: MSI GTX 970 4GB
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97P-D3 (previously Gigabyte GA Z97X Gaming 5)
RAM: Corsair Vengence DDR3 3x8GB " 2133MHz
PSU: Corsair CX600
CPU Cooler: Corsair H75i
Boot HDD: WD 1TB

So, the narrative to the above was I first started running into issues at the back end of last week. I've replaced my cooler for my 4790k last week, installing the new H75i with new thermal paste on Wednesday and my machine booted up perfectly fine. Ran fine Wednesday evening and Thursday, with one IRQL BSOD on Thursday evening when I power cycled my machine, but between those two events everything sailed smoothly. I did update my 970 to the latest Nvidia drivers around those dates, but I believe it was prior to the cooler install.

Shut down my machine Friday evening, and when I went to start on Saturday I got the above error message immediately after the splash screen from my BIOS, when Windows attempted to load. I would turn the machine on and it would boot, go through the gigabyte splash screen and then immediately BSOD with the IRQL error when it tried loading windows. Auto recovery on the HDD itself was unable to fix any startup issues, and whenever I would try to reset windows from the recovery tool on the HDD itself I would crash with IRQL BSOD.

Actions I have undertaken in the interim;
Remove and attempt boot without GPU,
Remove RAM and try and boot with one stick at a time
Remove all CD drive and HDDs aside from the drive I want to boot from
Use recovery media to reinstall windows onto 2 seperate HDDs (this has been attempted in combinations of the above)
Replace MOBO (as seen above)
Decrease number of fans on the system
Remove all USBs
Reset BIOS on original board (new board is factory new)
Reseat CPU

I've got a mobo speaker attached, and something of note is that when I'm trying to boot with one stick of RAM, after the first failed boot the PC won't boot again past BIOS until I power down and reseat the RAM into another DIMM slot (noticeable by the lack of a boot beep). This was the case in both Mobos.

None of the above steps have helped at all, even with the recovery drive I start to install windows onto a new HDD and I still get the IRQL error. I'm unable to correct anything on the original boot HDD with the recovery media, and can't even install to a new HDD without it BSODing on me either.

Nothing I seem to try has any effect on the system. I've ran memtest from a USB and got no errors in 2 passes on the 3 sticks of ram and CPU plugged in until it crashed; that said Memtest ran for 2 hours, which is a lot longer then anything else has managed in the last week without BSOD. My plan of action for today is to pick up some new ram to see if that sorts anything, but without being able to get any crash dumps (as I can't even boot to safe mode) I'm at a loss as to the root cause. The BSOD doesn't cover what driver has failed when IRQL flashes either, it just says IRQL was the reason and then exits.

Any help on the above would be appreciated, this forum has been invaluable to me before with trouble shooting through other people's experiences but this has been so frustrating I feel I need to get a first hand opinion.

 

[VJ_Gamer]

Check the below link, might be helpful:

http://windowsreport.com/fix-irql_not_less_or_equal-bsod-windows-8-1/
http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1653275/fix-irql-equal-error-windows.html

Good Luck. Peace.

 

[this_is_dale_94]

Check the below link, might be helpful:

http://windowsreport.com/fix-irql_not_less_or_equal-bsod-windows-8-1/
http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1653275/fix-irql-equal-error-windows.html

Good Luck. Peace.

Thanks for the quick reply! Unfortunately, I can't get past the initial splash screen after BIOS- the computer BSODs regularly at that point and gives up the ghost. It looks like both of those require desktop to resolve, so it's out for me.

 

[helpstar]

Update the BIOS within BIOS using q-flash and a usb flash drive with the unzipped BIOS fil on it.

Use the microsoft media creation tool to install windows on a drive

 

[this_is_dale_94]

***

 

[this_is_dale_94]

Update the BIOS within BIOS using q-flash and a usb flash drive with the unzipped BIOS fil on it.

Use the microsoft media creation tool to install windows on a drive

Thanks helpstar!

I've not tried updating the BIOS, as I've tried two seperate Mobos- do you think that could be the root cause here?

For re-installing windows, I get the BSOD during the file transfer in the reinstall off of my flash drive.

 

[rontonomo]

does it boot loop if you take the gpu out?

 

[Antonis117]

As you can read in the following link, this error has to do mostly with the ram. I had the same issue and finally the problem was to one of my two ram sticks. However memtest didn't show always errors, but just one or two after many hours of continuous testing. I returned the memory sticks to the shop where I purchased them (since they have lifetime warranty) and they tested them and after 2 days they replied me that one of the two sticks was faulty and I got a new replacement kit for free. So I suggest you run many memtest and if you see even one error displayed return them. Also did you try to run memtest with just one stick at all different slots in case there is a faulty ram slot of the motherboard?
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms854226.aspx

 

[this_is_dale_94]

does it boot loop if you take the gpu out?

Hi! Yes, it continues to loop until I power off with all the steps above, including having the GPU out. Currently I'm still having the problem with just the CPU, RAM, MOBO and PSU connected (along with the front audio inputs and usb cables into the mobo). I'd say I've narrowed it down to RAM or CPU (which I can't see it being), but I'm keeping an open mind regardless.

 

[this_is_dale_94]

As you can read in the following link, this error has to do mostly with the ram. I had the same issue and finally the problem was to one of my two ram sticks. However memtest didn't show always errors, but just one or two after many hours of continuous testing. I returned the memory sticks to the shop where I purchased them (since they have lifetime warranty) and they tested them and after 2 days they replied me that one of the two sticks was faulty and I got a new replacement kit for free. So I suggest you run many memtest and if you see even one error displayed return them. Also did you try to run memtest with just one stick at all different slots in case there is a faulty ram slot of the motherboard?
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms854226.aspx

I've been thinking that, thing is that I've been trying to boot with one stick of RAM at a time and I've gone through all three now, so unless they're all busted it's making me think it might be CPU related

I've replaced the MOBO since the issue began, so I think i can discount it being one of the DIMM slots; that said, could be worth trying before I have to replace another part. I've picked up 8gb of RAM today to try when I get home to help cross off another avenue of approach with this issue.

 

[this_is_dale_94]

One thing I wouldn't mind a look at- can anyone confirm whether I should be changing my RAM speed in the BIOS? All the sticks I have can run at 2133MHz, but I think the BIOS is set to run around 1300. Would that be an issue in this case?

 

[Antonis117]

Try reseting the bios (i guess you know how) and try again with each ram on every slot.

 

[helpstar]

1333MHz is the standard clock

SPD timings 9-9-9-24
SPD-speed 1333MHz
SPD-voltage 1.5V

for 2133MHz (overclocking)
PC3-17066 (2133MHz)
Timings 11-11-11-27 at 1.5V

would set to the native speed of the CPU 1600MHz, but shouldn´t be the problem.

so you created a windows install media on a flash drive and while installing windows from it, a BSOD comes up?

BIOS updated yet?

 

[this_is_dale_94]

1333MHz is the standard clock

SPD timings 9-9-9-24
SPD-speed 1333MHz
SPD-voltage 1.5V

for 2133MHz (overclocking)
PC3-17066 (2133MHz)
Timings 11-11-11-27 at 1.5V

would set to the native speed of the CPU 1600MHz, but shouldn´t be the problem.

so you created a windows install media on a flash drive and while installing windows from it, a BSOD comes up?

BIOS updated yet?

BIOS is updated to the latest revision now, and yes when I get to the second stage of the install through the USB install media I get a BSOD. Tried the process with the new stick of RAM and it still BSODs.

 

[helpstar]

Try a different USB flash drive in an USB 2.0 port. Did you create the install media with Microsoft´s tool or else?