The IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL or Stop 0x0000000A errors are generated by both software and hardware issues. The message indicates that a kernel mode process or driver attempted to access a memory address that it did not have the rights to access. Below is an example of how these error messages are formatted.

STOP: 0x0000000A (0xwwwwwwww, 0xxxxxxxxx, 0xyyyyyyyy, 0xzzzzzzzz)

McAfee VirusScan for Windows NT issue

Exact error is as follows:

STOP: 0x0000000A (0x0000015a, 0x0000001c, 0x00000000, 0x80116bf4)IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Mcafee VirusScan for Windows NT 2.5.1(9607) and 2.5.2(9609) are not compatible with Windows NT 4.0

Uninstall Mcafee

Windows NT 3.51 upgrade from Windows NT 4.0

If you upgraded your computer to Windows NT 4.0 from Windows NT 3.51 with Gateway Services for Netware to Windows NT 4.0 installed, remove Gateway Services for Netware. Then reinstall the service to resolve this issue.

Service Pack

STOP 0x0000000a (0x00000006, 0x00000002, 0x00000000, *****) IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

***** - This portion may vary

Earlier service packs may have had issues with the TCP handling; updating the Service Pack resolves the issue. Ensure you have the latest service pack installed in the computer.

Links to locations to download the latest service packs found through our Windows NT downloads section.

Driver issue

Drivers that have errors can also cause the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error. Consider updating or reinstalling your drivers (more specifically, your network or SCSI drivers).

For a listing of driver manufacturer company pages, see the drivers page.

Hardware issue

If the information above does not help resolve the issue, you may have a hardware issue. Exchange or replace hardware in the computer. Our recommendation is: RAM, CPU, or NIC.

  • How to test computer memory to determine if it’s bad.
  • See our error definition for further information and related links.
  • Microsoft Windows help and support.