Windows 10: IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL after full drive reformat and clean Windows 10 install

My HP Spectre (13-V021NR) laptop started cashing a few days ago. It stated with one blue screen error that was, I believe, IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL. That was "day 1." Fast forward to yesterday, perhaps 3-5 days later, when I started having what I'll call a cascading series of blue screen errors of many different types (many with which I was completely unfamiliar).

I decided to use the HP "fresh start" procedure to reformat the C:\ partition and have it reinstall all software as the machine had been delivered in April 2016.

Upon getting back into Windows 10 after the fresh start, I encountered, after just a few minutes, IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL. That same blue screen error then recurred again a few times as I went about getting Windows 10 up to date. I have not updated any drivers outside of whatever Windows has taken care of by itself, nor have I installed any software other than FireFox as yet.


Two to three weeks ago, I updated the BIOs via HP's Support Assistant utility and had also updated a couple Intel drivers for audio and networking, yet were no blue screen errors until about five days ago. Before the "fresh start," I also noticed that there was an error preventing me from launching MS Office applications. I can't recall the exact error, but something ultimately to do with a *.dll related to C++.


The machine literally just rebooted now without even a blue screen and I see no new minidump file. I have no clue what's happening and no idea how to fix it. Assistance greatly appreciated!

:)

 

Is it time for Windows 10 already?

Here's a good step by step guide on doing a fresh install.

How to clean install Windows 10 from a USB drive - Software - Feature - HEXUS.net

 

Driver IRQL Not Less or Equal When Doing a Clean Install

I received my free upgrade to Windows 10 Professional for my Asus EEE PC 1215BT. I was able to upgrade with just having to install one driver but the PC was much slower than before and I was having issues with Edge so I decided to do a clean install. I
created a bootable USB drive with Media Creation tool. I then booted from the USB drive and began the installation. I answered a few questions, chose custom install and selected a partition to install it on. Installation starts with Copying files but then
I get a error screen saying Windows experienced an error and must restart your computer. The error displayed is Driver IRQL not less or equal. The computer restarts but hangs at a blank screen with a flashing cursor. I have tried this several times with
the same results.

PC now has no OS and I can't seem to install one. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL / KMODE EXCEPTION HANDLED at installation of Windows

Hi andy4117,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Community

1. Did you installed Windows 10 on this computer before?
   
2. Are you trying to install Windows by booting from the disc or USB?
   
3. When you says MBR – GPT, May I know the complete error message that you are receiving, when you are installing Windows?
   
4. Did you unplugged all the external device, apart from Mouse and keyboard?
   

Usually, IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL / KMODE EXCEPTION HANDLED errors are seen if there are faulty hardware, drivers or anti-virus programs. As you are trying to install Windows 10, you can try the steps to perform a Custom Installation
of Windows 10 by booting from a disc or USB.

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL could be due to faulty hardware problem, faulty system service problem and KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED could be due to Hardware incompatibility and Faulty device driver or system service

I would suggest you to check this thread on
custom installation
from Andre Da Costato Created on January 17, 2017.

Disclaimer: While performing these steps, there might be a risk of data loss. You may take a backup of the data before performing the steps.

You can follow this article on
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, to get a deeper understanding of this issue. You can refer this article on

KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED

Please replay us back once you follow all the above steps.

Regards,