[sir_comp]

My Mom's computer won't boot goes to a blue screen that says IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL_TO

I have tried going into to safe mode and get the same error and I have tried using last known config that worked and tried going on the cd and to do a repair that would reinstall but it doesn't give me the option.

[dock98]

does your boot start with the cd,then hard drive?

[sir_comp]

I can boot it with either the boot order is cd then hard disk

when i try to load with the hard disk I get the error

[dock98]

you can try booting from cd then use the repair option.

[sir_comp]

i have tried that it does not give me the option to do that when i load the disc

[dock98]

thye repair part does not come up on the options until all the temp. files are loaded.then it will give you the option to install or repair.

[sir_comp]

everything loads I go to install I hit F8 to agree with the terms of use. I then tell it I want to install I can even pick where I want to install it to and it warns me running multiple os on the same drive can cause issues. that is where it should say it has found existing copies of win and ask me to repair

[dock98]

Originally Posted by sir_comp

everything loads I go to install I hit F8 to agree with the terms of use. I then tell it I want to install I can even pick where I want to install it to and it warns me running multiple os on the same drive can cause issues. that is where it should say it has found existing copies of win and ask me to repair

i am at a loss if that does not work.maybe this will help?http://forums.pcworld.co.nz/showthread.php?t=16385

[sir_comp]

the computer has worked fine for 5 years why suddenly this would be an issue

[huggie54]

did this suddenly occur after a download,a driver update maybe because this error is usually a CPU/MBD/RAM problem.

[Saga Lout]

When you're offered the chance to hit Enter to install Windows or R to repair an existing, hit the R. Then watch carefully because at the next prompt it asks you which installation you want to repair and in front of the name is a number - normally 1. Sometimes that falls off the left of the screen and if you don't input the 1 and just hit Enter, you get bounced back out.

[sir_comp]

I have done windows repairs many times. on this one how ever you are never asked to repair the system just sends you to the where do you want to install screen

[Saga Lout]

Download PCLinuxOS from http://www.pclinuxos.com/index.php?o...iles&Itemid=28 and burn it on to a CD which will then run in RAM as a LiveCD, not impacting on your hard disk at all. It will, however, allow you access to the files in Documents and Settings to enable you to rescue your data. All this assumes it's able to run at all and if it doesn't, the post above about a major hardware problem will be the right answer.

If it does work and identifies no hardware or driver problems, your Windows system is screwed and needs to be replaced but as the system can't even "see" an existing installation, my money is on the hard drive being flawed.

[sir_comp]

I have a second install disk for win xp pro service pack 2 oem which is basically what came with the dell. this second disk allowed me to do a repair but when I boot up it tells me I need to activate windows and I give it the go ahead and the activation screen never comes up
it just sits there frozen,

[Saga Lout]

Originally Posted by sir_comp

I have a second install disk for win xp pro service pack 2 oem which is basically what came with the dell. this second disk allowed me to do a repair but when I boot up it tells me I need to activate windows and I give it the go ahead and the activation screen never comes up
it just sits there frozen,

Are you connected to the Internet by that stage? Even if you aren't, I would assume the regional settings you entered would have pointed you to the relevant telephone number. Can you get into Safe Mode or am I going round in circles?