pc health check: October 2008

SUMMARY
You probably reached this article because Device Manager reported an error code, and you are not sure how to resolve it. In this Post, we will help you find your error code and suggest what you might try to correct the error in the next post.

If you are using Windows Vista, or another operating system other than the Windows XP versions listed in the "Applies to" section, please contact Support. For information about how to do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus

MORE INFORMATION
This section lists the error codes and possible resolutions for the error codes. The error codes are listed in numeric order.

Before you continue, make sure that you have the error code available. You can view the error code in the device Properties dialog box available in Device Manager. You can also resolve many of the errors within Device Manager.

To start troubleshooting, follow these steps:
1. Make sure that Device Manager is open, and that the device that has the problem is selected. You can perform some recommended resolutions through Device Manager.
a. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
b. Select the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
c. Double-click the device type that has the problem. For example, if you have problems with your modem, double-click Modems to see the devices in that category.

A list of devices appears. If a device has problems, the device has a red exclamation point next to it. If a device is unknown (usually because of missing drivers), the device has a yellow question mark next to it.
d. Right-click the device that has the problem, and then click Properties. This opens the device Properties dialog box. You can see the error code in the Device status area of this dialog box.
2. Use the Troubleshooting Wizard, if it is available, to help you diagnose and resolve your problem.
a. On the device Properties dialog box, click the General tab.
b. Click Troubleshoot to start the Troubleshooting Wizard. The wizard asks you some simple questions and provides a solution to your problem based on the answers that you provide. If the Troubleshooting Wizard is not available, go to step 3.
c. Follow the resolution steps provided by the wizard to resolve the problem.
d. Check the Device status area of the device Properties dialog box to see whether the error is resolved. If the error is resolved, you are finished. Otherwise, go to step 3.
3. If the Troubleshooting Wizard did not help you resolve your problem or was not available, locate your error code in this article.

Note If you cannot locate your error code in this article, contact Support. For information about how to do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus
4. Follow the recommended resolutions for that error code.
• Check the Device status area of the device Properties dialog box to see whether the error is resolved. If the error is resolved, you are finished.

• If the problem still occurs, unfortunately, this article did not resolve your problem. For your next steps, you may want to ask someone for help. Or, you may want to contact Microsoft Support to help you resolve this problem

INTRODUCTION
This article describes several causes and resolutions for a "Stop: 0x0000000A" error message that you receive either during or after the installation of Windows XP. This article is intended for advanced users.

SYMPTOMS
You receive a Stop error message with the following format during or after the installation of Windows XP:
Stop: 0x0000000A (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4)
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
*** Address x has base at x - filename
In this Stop error message, each parameter is a hexadecimal number that refers to a specific issue:
• 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.
For example:
STOP 0x0000000A (0xBFD14AAC, 0x000000FF, 0x00000000, 0x8000F67C)
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
***Address 8000f67c has base at 80001000 - hal.dll

CAUSE

This Stop error message usually occurs during installation when 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 include an incompatible device driver, a general hardware problem, or incompatible software.

RESOLUTION

When this Stop error message occurs, first try to resolve the issue by using the Windows Error Reporting tool that is automatically displayed when any error occurs. The Reporting tool sends an error report to Microsoft, and reports a fix or a workaround back to you immediately. If no fix or workaround is available, or if the fix or workaround reported by the tool does not resolve the error, then follow the methods in the "Advanced Troubleshooting" section.

ADVANCED TROUBLESHOOTING

This section includes two sections for advanced troubleshooting:
• If the error occurs during installation, go to the "Error occurs during the installation of Windows XP" section.
• If the error occurs after Windows XP is already installed, go to the "Error occurs after Windows XP is already installed" section.
You may find it easier to follow the methods if you print this article first.
Error occurs during the installation of Windows XP

If you receive a "Stop: 0x0000000A" error message during the installation of Windows XP, there might be a problem with the hardware components installed on your computer. First, make sure that your hardware is compatible with Windows XP by following the link in the "Make sure that your hardware is compatible" section. If your hardware is compatible, then follow the procedures to troubleshoot your hardware components in the "If your hardware is compatible, look for other hardware issues" section.
Make sure that your hardware is compatible
To verify that your hardware is compatible, make sure that it is listed on the latest Windows XP Hardware Compatibility List (HCL). Visit the following Microsoft Web site to view the list:
http://winqual.microsoft.com/HCL/Default.aspx?m=x (http://winqual.microsoft.com/HCL/Default.aspx?m=x)
If your hardware is not listed on the Windows XP HCL, consider obtaining hardware that is listed on the HCL. If you determine that your hardware is compatible, go to the "If your hardware is compatible, look for other hardware issues" section.

For more information, see the "Check System Compatibility" topic on the Windows XP installation CD or DVD to learn about potential software and hardware incompatibility.

If your hardware is compatible, look for other hardware issues
This section provides seven methods that you can use to troubleshoot and to isolate the issue by examining the hardware for potential problems.

Warning This article contains steps that may involve changing the 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 the BIOS can be resolved. Change the BIOS settings at your own risk. If you want 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.
Prerequisite
Make sure that you have the Windows XP installation CD or DVD available. The following methods require you to use the Windows XP installation CD or DVD to start the computer.
Suggested materials
Before you start the troubleshooting steps, you may want to have the following available:
• Support documentation for any added hardware, adapters, or devices
• Contact information for any added hardware, adapter, or device manufacturers

Method 1: Specify the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)

Use this method first to try to resolve the Stop error message.
a. During the installation startup, press F5 when the "Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration" message is displayed.
b. When you are prompted, make sure that you specify the correct computer type and Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL). For example, if you have a single processor, specify the "Standard PC" HAL.
c. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
• If this resolves the Stop error message and you successfully install Windows XP, you are finished.
• If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 2.

Method 2: Turn off features in CMOS settings

Use this method when method 1 does not resolve the Stop error message.
a. Turn off all the following features in the CMOS settings of your computer. For instructions, see the hardware documentation or contact the manufacturer.
• All caching, including L2, BIOS, internal/external, and writeback caching on disk controllers
• All shadowing
• Plug and Play
• Any BIOS-based virus protection feature

b. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
• If this resolves the Stop error message, go to step c.
• If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 3.

c. Try to isolate which feature is causing the error. To do this, re-enable each of these features one at a time, and then restart your computer after you re-enable each feature.
d. If you identify a problem feature, disable or remove it and contact the manufacturer to try to resolve the issue.

If this does not isolate a problem with a CMOS setting, but this does resolve the Stop error message and you can start your computer normally, it may be that a setting was preventing the installation. If this is the case, turn on the setting after you install Windows XP, you are finished.

Method 3: Check the computer RAM

Use this method when method 2 does not resolve the Stop error message. If you need help performing any of the following steps, see the hardware documentation.
a. Remove any mismatched memory SIMMs (the RAM) so that all the SIMMs operate at the same speed. For example, 60 nanoseconds (ns) or 70 ns.
b. Run a systems test on the memory, and remove any bad SIMMs.
c. Test by using different SIMMs if any are available.
d. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
• If this resolves the Stop error message and you successfully install Windows XP, you are finished.
• If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 4.

Method 4: Remove any adapters and disconnect any hardware devices

Use this method when method 3 does not resolve the Stop error message.
a. Remove all adapters and disconnect all hardware devices that are not required to start the computer or to install Windows. This includes the following adapters and devices:
• SCSI devices
• IDE devices
• Network adapter
• Internal modem
• Sound card
• Extra hard disks (you have to have at least one to complete the installation)
• CD drive or DVD drive (if you are installing from the local hard disk)

b. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
• If this resolves the Stop error message, continue to step c.
• If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 5.

c. Try to isolate which adapter or hardware device is causing the error. After you reinstall Windows XP, reconnect each adapter or hardware device one at a time. Restart your computer after you reconnect each.
d. If this isolates a problem with hardware, disconnect the adapter or device and contact the vendor to try to resolve the issue.

If this does not isolate a problem with hardware, but this does resolve the Stop error message and you can start your computer normally, it may be that some hardware was preventing the installation. If this is the case, reconnect the hardware after you install Windows XP, and then you are finished.

For more details about this use and get computer help easily and quick

How to fix network printer driver problem

The driver will still be loaded by the spooler after removing a printer from
the registry. One needs to stop (I assume you are here since the spooler
is not currently running) the spooler and restart after any registry change.
the print driver registry key for 32bit machines is located under.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows
NT x86\Drivers\Version-3\PRINTDRIVERNAME

If the print driver uses a custom print processor it's sitting under this
location. You would need to look in the inf file that came with the printer
to know if it uses a custom print processor. Winprint is the print
processor that most inbox drivers use. Don't remove this entry. One
normally does not need to touch this key, just the driver.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows
NT x86\Print Processors

Error: Random error messages on a blue screen in Windows XP.

Error: When you run MS Windows XP, you may randomly receive an error message on a blue screen that references a bugcheck ID 0x0000008E (KERNEL_MODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED) error.

Cause: This problem may occur when a program references an incorrect memory address.


Solution: A supported hotfix is now available. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

Details: 1) To resolve this problem immediately, obtain the hotfix. Visit the following Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[LN];CNTACTMS

NOTE:T his hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this hotfix.

Symptoms: Error: Random error messages on a blue screen in Windows XP.

Keywords: Random error messages blue screen Windows XP

Applies To: PC Diagnostics for Windows XP

Audience: Support Analyst