Troubleshooting a Stop 0x0000000A error in Windows XP (314063)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
This article was previously published under Q314063
Warning This article contains steps that may involve changing your 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 your BIOS can be resolved. Change the BIOS settings at your own risk. If you need 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.

INTRODUCTION

You may receive the following Stop error message during or after the installation of Microsoft Windows XP:
Stop: 0x0000000A (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4) IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL*** Address x has base at x - filename
The parameters refer to the specific issues that are involved:
  • 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.
This article describes how to troubleshoot this Stop error message.

MORE INFORMATION

Stop error 0x0000000A (Stop 0x0A) indicates that 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 are an incompatible device driver, a general hardware problem, and incompatible software.

A Stop 0x0A error message during the installation of Windows XP

If you receive a Stop 0x0A error message during the installation of Windows XP, use the following troubleshooting procedures to verify your hardware components.

Hardware Compatibility List

Verify that your hardware is on the Windows XP Hardware Compatibility List (HCL). If your hardware is not on the Windows XP HCL, consider obtaining hardware that is on the HCL.

For additional information about the Windows HCL, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

314062 The latest Windows XP Hardware Compatibility List

To view the latest HCL, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/hcl/

Also, read the "Check System Compatibility" topic on the Windows XP CD-ROM to learn about potential software and hardware incompatibility.

The following troubleshooting steps can help you isolate the problem. Use the Windows XP CD-ROM to start the computer, and then follow the on-screen installation instructions.

Look for other hardware issues

If you continue to receive a Stop 0x0A error during the installation of Windows XP, try the following troubleshooting steps. After each step, try again to install Windows.
  1. During the installation startup, press F5 when the "Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration" message appears. When you are prompted, specify the correct computer type and hardware abstraction layer (HAL). For example, if you have a single processor, specify the "Standard PC" HAL.
  2. Turn off the following features in the CMOS settings of your computer. See the hardware documentation or manufacturer for instructions.
    • All caching, including L2, BIOS, internal/external, and write-back caching on disk controllers
    • All shadowing
    • Plug and Play
    • Any BIOS-based virus protection feature
  3. Remove all adapters and disconnect all hardware devices that are not required to start the computer and install Windows, including the following adapters and devices:
    • Network adapter
    • Internal modem
    • Sound card
    • Extra hard disks (you need at least one to complete the installation)
    • CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive (if you are installing from the local hard disk)
  4. If you are using a SCSI adapter, use the following methods. See the hardware documentation for information.
    • Obtain the latest Windows driver from the adapter vendor.
    • Turn off sync negotiation on the SCSI controller.
    • Verify that termination and IDs of the SCSI devices are correct.
    • 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 on that disk).
  5. If you are using IDE devices, use the following methods. See the hardware documentation for more information.
    • Define the on-board IDE port to Primary only.
    • Verify that the Master/Slave/Only settings for the IDE devices are correct.
    • Remove all IDE devices except for the hard disk.
  6. Check the memory SIMMs (the RAM) in the computer. See the hardware documentation for more information.
    • Remove any mismatched memory SIMMs so that all the SIMMs operate at the same speed. For example, 60 nanoseconds (ns) or 70 ns.
    • Run a systems test on the memory, and remove any bad SIMMs.
    • Test by using different SIMMs if any are available.
  7. 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 items:
    • Running a diagnostics program on the computer.
    • Upgrading the computer BIOS if that is applicable.

A Stop 0x0A error after Windows XP is already installed

If you receive the Stop 0x0A error after Windows XP is already installed, use the following troubleshooting methods to verify other components.

Examine third-party software or drivers

If you have installed any third-party software or drivers, try removing them or disabling them so that they do not load, and then restart the computer to see whether that software or driver is causing the error. If that software or driver is causing the error, report the problem to the vendor of the software or driver.

If you cannot start Windows XP after you install the software or drivers, use one of the following methods to restore Windows:
  • Use the Last Known Good configuration.

    For more information about using the Last Known Good configuration, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    307852 How to start your computer by using the Last Known Good Configuration feature in Windows XP

  • Repair the Windows XP installation. To do this, 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-ROM or DVD-ROM 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-ROM or DVD-ROM 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 quit 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.
  • Use the Roll Back Driver feature.

    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:

    283657 How to use the Roll Back Driver feature in Windows XP

  • Use the Windows XP System Restore feature.

    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:

    306084 How to restore the operating system to a previous state in Windows XP

  • Use Recovery Console.

    For additional information about how to use Recovery Console, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    307654 How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP

  • If Windows is on a FAT partition, start to MS-DOS, and then rename the problem software or driver.

Examine newly installed hardware

If you added any hardware device after Windows was installed, remove the newly added device to see whether the Stop 0x0A error stops occurring. If removing the newly added device resolves the problem, use any one or more of the following methods:
  • Obtain updated drivers for the device if they are available.
  • Call the vendor of the device to see whether there are any known issues with the device.
  • Run diagnostics to make sure that the device is working correctly.
  • Examine the logs in the event viewer to determine if there is any event information that can help you determine what device or driver is causing the problem.

Additional information

If these steps do not resolve the Stop 0x0A error, and if you are running Windows on HCL-compliant hardware, refer to the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

314103 Preparation before you contact Microsoft after receiving a STOP message on a blue screen

For more information about how to troubleshoot Windows XP, visit the following Microsoft Web sites:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/getstarted/troubleshoot.mspx

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/14/2006
Keywords:kbenv kberrmsg kbHardware kbinfo kbsetup kbtshoot KB314063
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.