Here is one for the experts:
I have been getting the BSOD message "DEVICE_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" while playing Simcity 4. Please read on for a history of the problem I'm trying to solve.
I have an ABIT motherboard with an AMD 1.5 chip, 1024 MB memory, a video card in the AGP slot, and running Wndows XP Home.
One year ago I upgraded from my onboard Nvidia video card to an ATI Radeon 9600XT. It worked fine for about 11 months until the fan took a dump on me and burned out. It was under warranty from newegg.com so I orderd a replacement card and waited for it to arrive. I chose to go back to Nvidia and went with the GeForce 6200. While waiting, I took out the ATI card, sent it back, uninstalled all my ATI related software and drivers and switched back to using my onboard video.
This is when the problems started. Almost all functions involving my video card would cause this (BSOD) error message. Things as simple as saving pics from the internet and using picture viewing software would cause a crash. I was bound to only basic functions while waiting for the replacement card to arrive. When it did arrive, I installed the card and associated sofware. Things were great! Everything up and running, games running well too. That was until this week when I installed Simcity 4.
While playing Simcity last night, I was blown out of the game and into the BSOD numerous times the message reads "DEVICE_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL". What gives?!?!
I have updated my video drivers and double checked my bios settings. The BSDO says, "BIOS memory cacheing or shadowing should be disabled" as a possible remedy. I've tried that, too (I think...) by setting the System BIOS Cacheable and Video Cacheable settings in my BIOS screen to "Disable". It was no help. Even unistalling the game and reinstalling it from my slave drive to the C: drive didn't help.
I understand that there are a number of reasons why this screen may appear. Anything from bad memory to overheating or even incorrect Device IRQ numbers. I've tried to give a detailed history in hopes that someone here may be able to help me out. It all started when I removed that [bleep] ATI card and went back to my onboard card in the interim. I think there is a setting SOMEWHERE that I've missed or the system is having conflict with. The systems components are of quality and I have never had any hardware issues.
Simcity 4 is a graphically intense game and this message seems to only appear when the screen is full of little buildings and the system has a lot to deal with...
PLEASE HELP!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, becasue I have only a very basic understanding of hardware and technical system information. Thank you!
- Hempdiddy
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