www.adviserxp.

com – Error Code / Stop Messages - 0x0000000A

STOP ERROR TUTORIAL

NOVEMBER 22nd 2007

By Ian Stuart Rutter - A+, N+, MCP

© 2007 Ian S Rutter All Rights Reserved

http://www.adviserxp.com/error-codes.html

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The Dreaded 0x0000000A Error Code

Just when you thought the installation of Windows XP was going without a hitch, this shows up on
your screen.

What you are looking at is what is called a Stop Error or Stop Message. When you see it it doesn't help
you at all. It doesn't give you a telephone number to call or any real solutions. It's a real pain!

You will see a lovely shade of Blue on your screen with 'Stop:0x0000000A' This is not what you want
when installing Windows XP and sometimes after the installation. For me, after is the preferred choice,
at least I'd be able to get into the system. If it does happen during the installation, then you have a heck
of a roller coaster time working out what has caused it.

So let's try and explain what you have and what can be the solution.

First you will see this:-

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I told you it's a lovely shade of blue. I think in Windows Vista you get RED!

Now, you see the writing in brackets () after the STOP: 0x0000000A, these are the so called problems
that its telling you about.

What! You didn't go to MS School of Error Code analysis – shame on you.

What these parameters are telling you is this:-

0x0227001d – is an address that was referenced incorrectly.

0X00000002 – is an IRQL that was required to access memory – Interrupt Request Level
0x00000000 - is the type of access, where 0 is a read operation and 1 is a write operation
0x804eba3a - The address of the instruction that referenced memory in parameter 1

What does it all mean, well, to find that out you really need to call a Microsoft XP programmer.

Just kidding!
Knowing these codes is not important, what is important is to understand what was happening and
what you were doing the time the error occurred.

Just to show you what Microsoft says as the cause of this error:-

'Stop error 0x0000000A (Stop 0x0A) indicates that there was an attempt in
kernel mode to touch pageable memory at too high a process internal request
level (IRQL). Typically, this error occurs when a driver uses an incorrect memory
address. Other possible causes of this error are an incompatible device driver,
a general hardware problem, and incompatible software.'

Get it! Got it! Understood it! Good!

You can breath now. The best and clearest part of the explanation starts on the third line with
'Typically...' Your troubles will mostly be due to hardware, or a piece of hardware that Windows XP
does not like to play with.

Where to start? (Cracking question Gromit!)

Microsoft says to use the Windows Error Reporting Tool, but that is not so good if this has
happened and keeps happening during an installation. What the tool does if you do get the chance to
use it, it sends an error report back to Microsoft, then the tool will report back if there is a fix or a
workaround solution. It's a nice tool only when you can get on-line!

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To use it do the following.

When you are prompted to send the error report, click Send Error Report.
The Error Reporting Tool starts automatically.
If a fix or a workaround is available, click More Information after you send the error report to
Microsoft. This helps you obtain the fix or information about how to work around the issue.

If a fix or a workaround is not available, you can use the 'Advanced Troubleshooting' section to try to
resolve this issue.

Receiving Stop 0x0A during Installation

If you receive Stop 0x0A error message during the installation of Windows XP, you need to first verify
that your hardware is listed on the Windows XP Hardware Compatibility List or HCL
To view the latest HCL, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://winqual.microsoft.com/HCL/Default.aspx?m=x

You might also want to read the "Check System Compatibility" topic on the Windows XP CD-
ROM to learn about potential software and hardware incompatibility.

Microsoft say that:- 'If your hardware is not listed on the Windows XP HCL, consider obtaining
hardware that is listed on the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL).'

Are you off your trolley!

I'm not telling you to do what Microsoft is saying, you shouldn't have to spend more money on making
your PC totally Windows XP Hardware Compatible – It should already be that!

Do this instead.

Most problems at this stage will be Hardware related problems. The best advice is minimize the
amount of hardware that needs to be installed before a Windows XP installation.
What I mean is just use for the time being what is built onto the motherboard. Typically your
motherboard will already be stamped 'Windows XP Compatible'. It is only when you start to add extra
stuff that you want, like the super duper Graphics card that runs faster than a Bugatii Veyron, or the
latest and fastest Wireless card. These can start to cause trouble for Windows XP.
Leave these dedicated pieces of hardware off your system until you have a fully working and
streamlined Windows XP installation.
If you are just using a motherboard without adding hardware onto any of the motherboard slots, then
usually it will be a memory module that is the culprit. Again, don't pack the motherboard with as many
memory modules as you can or fit as much memory as you can. All we want is a working system, so if
Windows XP installation can run on 128 megs of memory, then just use that or better 256 megs of
RAM.
If you have a working system and you get the BSoD (Blue Screen of Death) we need to look at the
hardware installed.

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The following troubleshooting steps can help you isolate the problem that you have.
Use the Windows XP CD-ROM to start the computer, and then follow the on-screen installation
instructions. (I know this is long and tedious but it does work.)
If you continue to receive a Stop 0x0A error during the installation of Windows XP, then try again to
install Windows, but this time do the following:-

***Importnat***
This article contains steps that may involve changing the BIOS or CMOS settings or that may require
that you to make physical changes to your computer hardware. Incorrect changes to the BIOS of your
computer can cause serious problems.
www.AdviserXP.com cannot take responsibility or cannot guarantee that problems that are caused by
changes to the BIOS can be resolved. Change the BIOS settings at your own risk. If you need help with
any of these steps, contact your hardware manufacturer. Making hardware or BIOS changes to your
computer may invalidate your warranty. If you do not want to make hardware changes to your
computer, take your computer to a repair center.

1. During the installation startup, press F5 when the 'Setup is inspecting your computer's
hardware configuration' message appears. When you are prompted, specify the correct
computer type and hardware abstraction layer (HAL). For example, if you have a single
processor, specify the 'Standard PC' HAL.

2. Turn off the following features in the CMOS settings of your computer. See the hardware
documentation or manufacturer for instructions.
All caching, including L2, BIOS, internal/external, and writeback caching on disk
•
controllers
•All shadowing
•Plug and Play
•Any BIOS-based virus protection feature

3. Remove all adapters and disconnect all hardware devices that are not required to start the
computer and install Windows, including the following adapters and devices:
•Network adapter
•Internal modem
•Sound card
•Extra hard disks (you have to have at least one to complete the installation)
•CD Drive or DVD drive (if you are installing from the local hard disk)

4. If you are using a SCSI adapter, use the following methods. See the hardware documentation for
information.
•Obtain the latest Windows driver from the adapter vendor.
•Turn off sync negotiation on the SCSI controller.

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•Verify that termination and IDs of the SCSI devices are correct.
Remove all SCSI devices from the SCSI chain (except for one hard disk if you are starting from or
•
installing to a drive that is on that disk).

5. If you are using IDE devices, use the following methods. See the hardware documentation for
more information.
•Define the on-board IDE port to Primary only.
Verify that the Master/Slave/Only settings for the IDE devices are
•
correct.
•Remove all IDE devices except for the hard disk.

6. Check the memory SIMMs (the RAM) in the computer. See the hardware documentation for
more information.
Remove any mismatched memory SIMMs so that all the SIMMs operate at the same speed. For
•
example, 60 nanoseconds (ns) or 70 ns.
•Run a systems test on the memory, and remove any bad SIMMs.
•Test by using different SIMMs if any are available.

7. Contact the manufacturer of the computer or the motherboard to see whether there are any
known issues about running or installing Windows XP. The manufacturer may be able to help
with the following items:
•Running a diagnostics program on the computer.
•Upgrading the computer BIOS if that is applicable.

Take a break and have a cup of tea!

Now, after you have done this incredibly tedious, but necessary procedure and you then get the Stop
0x0A error after a full Windows XP installation, try to go through this troubleshooting method.

If you have installed any third-party hardware drivers, (anything that is not physically attached to the
motherboard by the motherboard manufacturer. Try removing them or disable them so that they do not
load. The same applies to software. If you have installed any new software, un-install it or stop it from
loading at Startup. Then restart the computer to see whether that software or driver is causing the
error. If that software or driver is causing the error, report the problem to the vendor of the software or
driver.

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If you cannot start Windows XP after you install the software or drivers, use one of the following
methods to restore Windows:

Use the Last Known Good configuration.

•Click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
307852 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307852/) How to start your computer by using the Last
Known Good Configuration feature in Windows XP
•Repair the Windows XP installation.
1. Disable any antivirus program and BIOS-level antivirus protection. For help, see the relevant
software manual or online Help.

2. Make sure that the CD or DVD drive is the first priority startup device. See your computer
documentation for information about how to do this.

3. Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD or DVD drive, and then restart your computer.

4. When the instruction to "Press any key to boot from CD" appears, press a key. Your computer
starts from the Windows XP CD.

5. When the computer starts from the CD, the system verifies your hardware, and then prompts you
to select one of the following options:
• To set up Windows XP now, press ENTER.
• To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.
• To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

6. Press ENTER.

7. Press F8 to accept the Licensing Agreement.

8. A box lists your current Windows XP installation, and then the computer prompts you to select
one of the following options:
• To repair the selected Windows XP installation, press R.
• To continue installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without repairing, press ESC.

9. Press R. After you repair Windows XP, you may have to reactivate Windows XP if you changed
some hardware.

Use the Roll Back Driver feature.

Click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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283657 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283657/) How to use the Roll Back Driver feature in

Windows XP

Use the Windows XP System Restore feature.

For more information about how to use the System Restore feature, click the following article
number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
306084 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084/) How to restore the operating system to a previous
state in Windows XP

Use Recovery Console.

For additional information about how to use Recovery Console, click the following article number to
view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
307654 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307654/) How to install and use the Recovery Console in
Windows XP

***Last Minute Ideas***

Upgrade your Power Supply.

Yes, that box at the back that makes that noise.
Think about upgrading your Power Supply. I had this problem twice. I was running on a 300 watt
supply, I upgraded to a 500 watt and no problem.
I'm not saying the power supply will solve the problem, but inadequate supply of power can ruin your
system.

Install the latest audio drivers or the latest drivers for all drivers.
Yes, these pesky little things can cause this problem.
The second time I got the error code was when I had just installed the drivers for my graphics card.
Windows XP had picked up the graphics card with no trouble, but I wanted the manufacturers driver
installed. I installed the driver from the compact disc and restarted the system, that's when I got the
error message.
I chose Last Known Good Configuration.
Then I downloaded the latest drivers by going to the Graphics card manufacturers website, installed
them and to this day problem solved.
Yes, it is a real pain but thats computers for ya!

Enjoy the rest of the Error Code tutorials if you have them.

Please contact me if you have any suggestions on this error code or even better, if you want a tutorial
written then give me the idea and I'll see what I can do for you.
Enjoy!
Stuart - A+, N+, MCP

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