Irql_not_less_or_equal

I've been having this problem since a year and it's slowly driving me insane.

Every two months, my computer starts showing me BSOD's with the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL message, when i either want to look at videos or play games.

I've completely dissassembled my PC, cleaned it thoroughly, ran memtest x86 to check my RAM, did a HDD diagnose, tried to play around with older and newer graphics drivers and also tried adding hardware one-by-one.

NOthing helped, so i reinstalled windows(XP pro, SP2) and my PC ran smoothly and after 2 months started coughing up those BSOD's. Even service technicians told me that my PC is 100% OK.

Can someone tell another way to solve this problem? I'm grateful for any input.

My specs: Sempron 1150(2Ghz), 1GB RAM, ASUS Nvidia 8600GT.

 

That's the oddest thing, there's no file name on the BSOD or in the event log.

 

I always install a different driver every time.
The service tech was also stumped by it appearing regularly.

 

I'm not updating, because i don't have an internet connection at home.

 

Ok Loony, thank you.

 

Maybe it's because you can't update. Maybe there is a way to download the latest updates somewhere else and install it on your home computer, but I don't know such thing.

 

What sound card do you have? There is a high probability that sound card (or chip if integrated) is causing problems.
Try to disable the sound card (in BIOS or remove it if possible) and then try to reproduce the problem (you say BSoD happens when you try multimedia stuff)

 

I have an integrated sound card, but i've tried disabling it. It didn't help.

I noticed that when i start up that BIOS shows me a "Updating new data to DMI" message. Anyone what it means.

And another thing, could Daemon Tools be causing the BSOD?

 

I've tried uninstalling DT in the past, but it didn't help.

I've ran the last few months with only a few MP3s and and a few music clips and the BSOD still showed up after some time.

So ran the dxdiag utility- everything was OK, but when i tried running the Direct 3D draw test, the BSOD came up again.

I'm really freaked.

 

That was the first thing i tried. Everything went ok, no error messages popped up during installation.

 

Just a few non-promising ideas (the first one may be correct though): :-\

It may be possible that it's a hardware malfunction. Every time hardware acceleration gets activated (full screen games, tests etc.) failure occurs. (try another GFX card)
Or there is problem with your electric outlet/current fluctuation at home... Or power supply unit wattage may be too weak...
Also BIOS settings may be incorrect (overclock attempt you forgot about?), try resetting the BIOS settings to defaults. (be sure to backup the old settings)

In any case when "IRQ not less or equal" message appears in BSoD it's a hardware problem.

 

I will try that when i get home. But if it's a HW malfunction, then it would occur randomly and not periodically? (correct me if i'm wrong)

The PSU is ok, i had my whole machine tested by the company that i bought it from.

Yup, i've tried resetting the BIOS, but i haven't tried to overclock the processor, it's sufficient for the stuff i use my PC for.

Thanks for the suggestion.