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Blue Screen IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Issue for Intel® Server Boards

Content Type: Error Messages   |   Article ID: 000007087   |   Last Reviewed: 08/26/2026

During OS installation on Intel® Server Boards, Microsoft Windows may display a blue screen (BSOD) with the error IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL when the installation media does not include an integrated service pack

Intel® Server Boards 5500, 5520, 1200, and 3420 series support enhanced sleep states, which rely on code found in the service packs as listed below: Without this code, Windows may generate the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error during installation.

  • Windows Server 2003* 32-bit and 64-bit requires Service Pack 1.
  • Microsoft Small Business Server 2003* requires Service Pack 1.
  • Windows XP* 32-bit requires Service Pack 2.

Workarounds

  1. Temporarily change BIOS settings:
    1. BIOS > Advanced > Processor Configuration, disable Intel® Hyper-Threading Tech, and set Core Multi-Processing to 1.
    2. Install core OS, then install service packs.
    3. Re-enable Intel® Hyper-Threading Tech, and set Core Multi-Processing back to All.
  2. Install with media that includes the integrated service pack (slipstreamed).
    Slipstreamed install required for Microsoft* Windows
Note Windows 2003* Release 2 isn't affected with this issue.

Related Products

This article applies to 55 products.

Discontinued Products

Intel® Server System SR1601GPLX Intel® Server Board S5500BC Intel® Server Board S1200BTLRM Intel® Server System SR1630BCR Intel® Server System SR1625URR Intel® Workstation Board S5520SC Intel® Server System SR1630BC Intel® Server System SR1680MV Intel® Server System SR2625URLX Intel® Server Board S5500WB Intel® Server System SR2625URBRPR Intel® Server System SR1600URR Intel® Server System SR1625URTD Intel® Server Board S3420GPLX Intel® Server Board S5520HC Intel® Server System SC5650BCDPR Intel® Server Board S1200BTLR Intel® Server Board S5500WB12V Intel® Server System SR1630HGPRX Intel® Server Board S3420GPLC Intel® Server System SR1630GPRX Intel® Server Board S5500HCV Intel® Server System SR1695GPRX1AC Intel® Server System SR1600URHSR Intel® Server System SR1625URSASR Intel® Server System SR1695GPRX Intel® Workstation System SC5650SCWS Intel® Server Board S1200BTS Intel® Server System SR1625UR Intel® Server Board S1200BTSR Intel® Server System SC5650HCBRP Intel® Server System SR1630GP Intel® Server System SR2625URLXR Intel® Server Board S5520UR Intel® Server System SR2625URLXT Intel® Server System SC5650BCDP Intel® Server System SR1630HGP Intel® Server Board S5500HV Intel® Server Board S3420GPV Intel® Server Board S3420GPRX Intel® Server Board S1200BTL Intel® Server Board S1200KPR Intel® Server System SR1600UR Intel® Server System SR1625URSAS Intel® Server Board S1200KP Intel® Server System SR1600URHS Intel® Server System SR1690WB Intel® Server Board S3420GPLXSASM Intel® Server System SR1602GPLX Intel® Server Board S5520URT Intel® Server System SC5650HCBRPR Intel® Server System SR1695GPRX2AC Intel® Server System SR2625URBRP Intel® Server System SR1695WB Intel® Server System SR1670HV

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