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1
If a STOP error appears during
Windows Setup, it is usually due to a faulty device driver. Bypass the
error by pressing F6 when prompted at the beginning of Setup, then check
for compatible drivers on the Internet.
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2
If a STOP error appears during
start-up, and Windows XP was previously running properly, it is likely
due to an incompatible software application or device driver that you
recently installed. Remove the device or uninstall the program, and
restart your computer.
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3
If Windows hangs during
start-up, use your Windows CD to start the computer. If you need to do
repairs, and you are comfortable working at the command line, enter the
Recovery Console by pressing "R" at the "Welcome to Setup" screen. Type
"help" for a list of commands.
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4
If a STOP error appears while
Windows is running, it could be caused by drivers, services or hardware
problems. The text on the screen may help you pinpoint the problem.
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5
If your computer restarts before
you can read the STOP error text, view the details in the Event Log.
Open Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Event Viewer. In the
left-hand pane, click on "System Log." Filter entries to show only error
events by choosing View>Filter; click the "Filter" tab, and clear
all checkboxes except "Error." Scroll through the entries to find the
time and date your computer crashed, and double-click the entry.
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6
Read the BSOD text, which might
say something like, "If this is the first time you've seen this Stop
error screen...," then an explanation and directions. Follow the
instructions and see whether they correct the problem. If another BSOD
appears, decode the rest of the STOP error in order to search for a
solution.
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7
Find the symbolic error name. At
the top of the BSOD, under the message beginning, "A problem has been
detected," the symbolic error name appears in capital letters. One
common symbolic error name is "DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL."
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8
Decode common abbreviations.
IRQL (pronounced "Urkel") stands for "interrupt request level."
KMODE stands for "kernel mode."
PTES refers to page table entries (PTEs).
HAL stands for "hardware abstraction layer."
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9
Locate the error number. Under
"Technical Information," after the word "STOP," you will find an error
number (in hexadecimal), such as "0x0000003F." The numbers following the
error number, in parentheses, are parameters.
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10
Start your computer in Safe
Mode, then search Microsoft's Knowledge Base, using the symbolic error
name or error number as your search term.
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