irql_not_less_or_equal

Yup, you've heard me.

from Stardock Forums

That's the message I get when I try to boot my laptop after I applied a bootskin. I've tried using other bootskins, but it says the same thing anyway, even though I know they should work because they do work on my main computer and my brothers laptop.

What happens: after I apply any skin and try to reboot, it gives me the infamous blue screen of death but just the text: irql_not_less_or_equal and a very long piece on how to avoid that error in the future and how to solve it using safe mode reboot.

Does anybody know what this is? I've searched around and I think it might have to do something with the kernel files...I think...it just might....wtf is kernel? So, in case anybody knows how to solve it, please respond! Because I really like the bootskins and I want it up and running as soon as possible.

bootskin
3,338 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

so....nobody? Well, thanks a lot.-_-

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Bootskins will either work or not, that's why there are three versions to try.  The given reason has always been that it depends on the Bios if it will work or not. 

At least that is how it's been for the time I have been here which is about 4 yrs.

 

Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Is it possible to startup in safe mode? If so, you can try to delete bootskin to see whether bootskin causes these problems, or whether it's your hardware that's failing. In my experience irql errors are mostly caused by internal memory, or a failing hdd. Good luck...

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

It could be a hardware issue or a video driver issue.

 

Have you updated your video drivers to the latest stable release?

Have you downloaded and run a memory testing program (I highly recommend memtest86+)

Have you tried, as someone suggested, booting safe mode, or at least VGA mode, and see if the system will boot that way?

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

I already did that. it not the hardware, because I only get this when I apply a different bootsking.

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

So de-install bootskin, reboot and try one of the other versions.  If none of the three versions work well then bootskin won't work on your computer.