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[Solved] IRQL Driver Not Less Or Equal Issue: Windows 7, Ryzen 5 1600, MSI B350, Crucial DDR4 RAM, GTS450

Tregard81 6222 12
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  • #1 17237784
    Tregard81
    Level 7  
    Posts: 7
    Hello.
    About three weeks ago, I replaced components on my computer. Since then, I have seen the blue screen four times with the message IRQL Driver Not Less Or Eqaul. Then the computer restarts and works normally. It happened on various occasions: starting the game, browsing the internet, watching a movie. Memtest showed no errors in seven tests. Drivers are up to date. The system put on fresh after replacing the equipment.

    Equipment specification:
    Ryzen 5 1600 processor
    MSI B350 Mate motherboard
    RAM Crucial DDR4 Ballistix Sport 2x4GB
    Graphics NVidia GTS450 1GB
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit

    On the previous configuration (AMD Athlon 6000+, GA-MA770-DS3, DDR2 4x1GB RAM) and under the same system everything worked without a problem.
    Attached memory dumps. I will be grateful for your help.
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    #2 17238233
    Piterixos
    Level 27  
    Posts: 1396
    Help: 38
    Rate: 56
    I know that everyone recommends memtest, but my experience with this program is that it is useless, I wanted to use it when I turned up the RAM, I tried it both from the Widnows level and from a bootable flash drive, it came after a few hours, without errors, but the computer in particular he crashed at random anyway. I even have exactly the same board and processor, by the way, and the code you see is seen dozens of times while playing with RAM.

    Make sure that the modules sit in the appropriate slots according to what you have written in the instructions.

    See how the situation looks with only one bone inserted (check both in this way).

    Update the BIOS to the latest version from MSI, significantly improves memory compatibility.

    Specify exactly what RAM model it is and upload the screenshots from the BIOS with the settings (basic settings, i.e. timing and voltage as well as timings), preferably all tabs expand and take screenshots).
  • #3 17238587
    Tregard81
    Level 7  
    Posts: 7
    Ok thanks for the info. I'll figure it out ... RAM sits in the 2nd and 4th slot. I will translate into 1 and 3 and upload BIOS screenshots tomorrow.

    Added after 19 [hours] 32 [minutes]:

    Changing slots did not help. After removing one bone, a blue screen also appeared, now I'm checking the other. The memory is Crucial DDR4 Ballistix Sport LT 2400 CL16. BIOS screenshots:

    IRQL Driver Not Less Or Equal Issue: Windows 7, Ryzen 5 1600, MSI B350, Crucial DDR4 RAM, GTS450 IRQL Driver Not Less Or Equal Issue: Windows 7, Ryzen 5 1600, MSI B350, Crucial DDR4 RAM, GTS450
    IRQL Driver Not Less Or Equal Issue: Windows 7, Ryzen 5 1600, MSI B350, Crucial DDR4 RAM, GTS450
    IRQL Driver Not Less Or Equal Issue: Windows 7, Ryzen 5 1600, MSI B350, Crucial DDR4 RAM, GTS450
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    #4 17241372
    deser1
    Level 12  
    Posts: 227
    Help: 3
    Rate: 24
    This error message indicates that there is a problem with interrupts between the bridge and the frame memory or peripheral device connected to the motherboard.
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  • #5 17241453
    Piterixos
    Level 27  
    Posts: 1396
    Help: 38
    Rate: 56
    I wrote

    Piterixos wrote:
    Update the BIOS to the latest version from MSI, significantly improves memory compatibility.

    Specify exactly what RAM model it is and upload the screenshots from the BIOS with the settings (basic settings, i.e. timing and voltage as well as timings), preferably all tabs expand and take screenshots).


    Why didn't you do it: /

    You have advanced settings on the disc and that was not what I meant most. And why do you take pictures with a camera instead of screenshots.
  • #6 17246444
    Tregard81
    Level 7  
    Posts: 7
    For now I'm testing the second bone. I will be updating the BIOS as a last resort, as nothing else will help ...
  • #7 17246752
    Piterixos
    Level 27  
    Posts: 1396
    Help: 38
    Rate: 56
    ^ Why as a last resort? This is one of the simplest and fastest steps you can do.
  • #8 17246906
    Tregard81
    Level 7  
    Posts: 7
    I am not so fluent in the subject and for me it is not the easiest thing. And I'm just afraid of damaging the motherboard.
  • #9 17248020
    Piterixos
    Level 27  
    Posts: 1396
    Help: 38
    Rate: 56
    Ehh, it all comes down to the fact that in the bios you click on a very large button, then choose the file downloaded from the manufacturer's website and that's it. Unless you have sudden power outages and unless you use a damaged flash drive, nothing bad will happen.
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  • #10 17248075
    Tregard81
    Level 7  
    Posts: 7
    I don't know, I've never done that.
    Meanwhile, there was a problem on one bone. This time, besides the familiar error, I saw the file name "pci.sys" before the system rebooted.
    Below are screenshots from the BIOS. I don't know how it was before, but now RAM works at different frequencies ...
    IRQL Driver Not Less Or Equal Issue: Windows 7, Ryzen 5 1600, MSI B350, Crucial DDR4 RAM, GTS450 IRQL Driver Not Less Or Equal Issue: Windows 7, Ryzen 5 1600, MSI B350, Crucial DDR4 RAM, GTS450 IRQL Driver Not Less Or Equal Issue: Windows 7, Ryzen 5 1600, MSI B350, Crucial DDR4 RAM, GTS450
  • #11 17248486
    Piterixos
    Level 27  
    Posts: 1396
    Help: 38
    Rate: 56
    Dude, did you even deign to look at the instructions or enter in Google the name of the disc with the note "bios"?
  • #12 17258639
    Tregard81
    Level 7  
    Posts: 7
    We'll do a BIOS update. We'll see ...

    Added after 15 [hours] 22 [minutes]:

    BIOS update did not help. The blue screen has appeared again.
  • #13 17415481
    Tregard81
    Level 7  
    Posts: 7
    It wasn't until the system changed to Win10.

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around a recurring "IRQL Driver Not Less Or Equal" blue screen error encountered after upgrading to a new computer configuration, including a Ryzen 5 1600 processor, MSI B350 motherboard, and Crucial DDR4 RAM. Despite running Memtest without errors and ensuring drivers are up to date, the issue persists during various activities. Suggestions include checking RAM seating, updating the BIOS for better memory compatibility, and testing individual RAM sticks. The user reported a specific error related to "pci.sys" and attempted a BIOS update, which did not resolve the issue. The problem was noted to have ceased after switching to Windows 10.
Generated by the language model.

FAQ

TL;DR: On MSI B350/Ryzen rigs, this BSOD hit “dozens of times”; “Update the BIOS... improves memory compatibility.” Start with BIOS/A‑XMP, correct slots, and chipset/GPU drivers; address Windows 7–Ryzen driver gaps. [Elektroda, Piterixos, post #17238233]

Why it matters: This FAQ helps Windows 7 users on Ryzen/B350 fix IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL and pci.sys crashes with fast, practical steps.

Quick Facts

  • Ryzen 5 1600’s official memory support is DDR4‑2667; higher speeds require tuning. [AMD Ryzen 5 1600 Specifications]
  • Windows 7 reached end of support on 14 Jan 2020; modern chipsets lack new drivers. [Windows 7 end of support]
  • IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL is bug check 0x0000000A, typically from a kernel‑mode driver. [Bug Check 0xA: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL]
  • pci.sys is Microsoft’s PCI bus driver; crashes implicate PCI stack or chipset layers. [pci.sys — Windows Drivers]
  • MSI Click BIOS 5 M‑FLASH updates BIOS from USB; do not power off during flashing. [MSI Click BIOS 5 User Guide]

What does IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL mean on Windows 7?

It’s a stop error when a kernel‑mode driver accesses invalid memory. The bug check value is 0x0000000A. Typical causes include faulty or incompatible drivers, bad memory access patterns, or incorrect IRQ handling. On newer platforms with older OS drivers, conflicts surface more often. Update platform drivers, then test RAM settings. [Bug Check 0xA: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL]

Why does pci.sys appear in my BSOD?

pci.sys is the Microsoft PCI bus driver. Seeing it in a crash usually means a problem on the PCI/PCIe stack. That can reflect chipset driver issues, BIOS/ACPI mismatches, or device drivers interacting poorly with the PCI layer. Update chipset and storage drivers, and ensure the BIOS is current. [pci.sys — Windows Drivers]

Should I update the BIOS first on MSI B350 for RAM stability?

Yes. Early Ryzen boards improved memory compatibility across BIOS revisions. As one expert put it, “Update the BIOS to the latest version… improves memory compatibility.” Do that before deeper troubleshooting, then recheck A‑XMP and slots. [Elektroda, Piterixos, post #17238233]

How do I update MSI B350 BIOS safely (M‑FLASH)?

  1. Download the latest BIOS for your exact board from MSI Support and extract to a FAT32 USB.
  2. Enter BIOS, launch M‑FLASH, and select the BIOS file on the USB drive.
  3. Start flashing; wait until it completes and reboots. Don’t power off during the process. [MSI Click BIOS 5 User Guide]

Did a BIOS update alone fix the crashes in this thread?

No. The original poster updated the BIOS and still saw IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. That suggests driver‑OS conflicts beyond firmware. Continue with driver updates, memory configuration checks, and OS considerations. [Elektroda, Tregard81, post #17258639]

What ultimately fixed the BSODs for this Ryzen 5 1600/MSI B350 build?

Upgrading the operating system to Windows 10 resolved the recurring crashes for the original poster. This points to Windows 7 driver stack limitations on the Ryzen/B350 platform. [Elektroda, Tregard81, post #17415481]

Does Windows 7 officially support Ryzen 5 1600/B350?

AMD directs Ryzen desktop users to Windows 10 for full driver support. Windows 7 lacks official chipset packages for Ryzen 1000‑series platforms, limiting stability and feature coverage. Use Windows 10 when possible on these systems. [AMD Ryzen Processors and Windows 7 Support]

Which RAM slots should I use on MSI B350 PC Mate for 2×4 GB?

Populate the recommended dual‑channel slots (typically DIMMA2 and DIMMB2). Check the board manual’s population table for two‑DIMM configurations. Correct slotting reduces training issues and improves stability at rated speeds. [MSI B350 PC Mate User Manual]

Can a passing MemTest still leave me with IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL?

Yes. One user passed hours of MemTest, yet crashes persisted during normal use. Driver faults and marginal memory training can escape synthetic tests. Validate with real‑world workloads and driver updates after memory tests. [Elektroda, Piterixos, post #17238233]

Why do my two DDR4 sticks show different frequencies in BIOS?

Mixed SPD profiles or unset A‑XMP can display per‑channel differences. Enable A‑XMP, set a unified DRAM frequency, and match timings/voltage. Then retest dual‑channel stability. Update BIOS to improve training behavior on early Ryzen. [MSI Click BIOS 5 User Guide]

What DRAM speed should I target for stability on Ryzen 5 1600?

Start at the CPU’s official support: DDR4‑2667. If unstable, step down to 2400 and tune timings. After stability, consider incremental increases. Use A‑XMP for baseline values before manual refinement. [AMD Ryzen 5 1600 Specifications]

Could the GPU or other device drivers trigger bug check 0xA?

Yes. Any kernel‑mode driver, including GPU, storage, or network drivers, can access invalid memory and crash. Update NVIDIA graphics and chipset drivers, then retest. Check minidumps to confirm the faulting module. [Bug Check 0xA: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL]

How can I identify the faulty driver from minidumps?

Use WinDbg. Open the dump, run !analyze -v, and inspect the call stack and faulting module. Symbols improve accuracy. This helps confirm whether pci.sys was implicated or merely on the stack. [Analyze crash dump files by using WinDbg]

What’s the risk during BIOS flashing, and how do I mitigate it?

A power loss or bad USB stick can corrupt the flash and brick the board. Use a reliable USB drive, avoid outages, and don’t interrupt M‑FLASH. A UPS adds protection during the update. [Elektroda, Piterixos, post #17248020]
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