irql not less or equal...

my computer randomly restarts when i tried to start up ie, or uses shortcuts to access a folder and it sometimes come up with the blue screen: irql not less or equal. i didn't install any drivers in the past few days or even open the case at all, and it's making me mad. this problem started to happen just a few days ago.

 

Sounds like you picked up a nasty (God bless MS's IE, nobody else will) suggest you follow the advise in Malware and post back there. Possible consider another browser, there are a few others listed here that do not have the security problems that IE has..................Oh and welcome to Major Geeks

 

i wouldn't mind if it is just ie, since i am using firefox now, but the problem also happens when i tries to access a folder from the start menu, or directly accessing a downloaded folder (firefox)

spybot didn't pick up anything...
should i post up a hijack this log?

 

My recollections of past discussions and experiences with that error msg are more in the vein of driver or hardware issues, rather than malware. Does the error msg also specify a file name?

 

sorry for the late reply

the microsoft error report claimed:

Error type Windows stop error (A message appears on a blue screen with error code information)
Solution available? Yes
What does this error mean? You received this message because a device driver installed on your computer caused the Windows operating system to stop unexpectedly. This type of error is referred to as a "stop error." A stop error requires you to restart your computer.
Cause A video adapter device driver
Computer symptoms A message appears on a blue screen with error code information:

STOP 0x000000EA THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER
- or -
STOP: 0x100000EA THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER_M

what does the thread stuck in device mean? since i never opened my case does it mean something stuck in the video card itself?

since i got a cat and it shed alot of cat hairs...

 

Computer newbie you might try this link
0x000000EA: THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER
(Click to consult the online Win XP Resource Kit article.)
A device driver problem has caused the system to pause indefinitely (hang). Typically, this is caused by a display driver waiting for the video hardware to enter an idle state. This might indicate a hardware problem with the video adapter, or a faulty video driver.
• 0x000000EA: THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER {KB 293078} Win XP
This is available at this sight (great bookmark bye the way) http://aumha.org/win5/kbestop.php

Hope that helps you out.