It all started today, failing to boot normally and getting a BSOD IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. I recently installed a new video card (Sapphire Radeon HD4890), and at first I assumed it was the new drivers. But as the title says I am unable to reboot in safemode and remove it.

Notes:
- I ran a SYSTEM recovery yesterday (not a purchased cd).
- I didn't catch the whole BSOD MESSAGE, only the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

System specs:
(I am a little unsure of the exact specs, as a friend built the rig for me)

Motherboard: gigabyte S-series ga-m75sli-s4.
Ram: Corsair d2 twin 1024 mb(x2).
CPU: AMD Athlon dual 2,8 mghz.

I guess i derailed a little here, but the question(s) is this: Why can't I reboot in safe mode? COULD it be a memory fault?


Help would be greatly appriciated. The troubles with this thing has been piling up the past week, and I'm ready to throw the damned thing out the window...Well, you're on the right track. That error message is generally related to bad, incompatable or conflicting drivers. You can try to see if there is a bios update available - that might help if there is.I think I might have worded my question wrong... I can't GET in into the menu that allows you to boot in safe (f8 tapped vigorously).
The problem isn't my KEYBOARD as I can enter my BIOS and jazz Does your keyboard have a F-lock key? If so, try pressing it when the system starts and then try F8 or F5. Quote

I ran a system recovery yesterday (not a purchased cd).