How To Fix The Windows XP “Stop 0x0000000A” Error

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0x0000000A Error

The “Stop 0x0000000A” error in Windows XP is highly annoying and frustrating, preventing your computer from being able to run as smoothly or reliably as you might want. Fortunately, there is a solution to fix this error, which you can read below:

What Is The Stop 0x0000000A Error?

The Stop 0x0000000A or Stop 0x0A errors are usually caused when a driver on your system tries to red a memory address that doesn’t exist or is corrupted. This causes your system to become highly unreliable, as it prevents it from using a particular piece of hardware which has the defective driver.

This error might also appear if you have corrupted system files or damaged hardware. It’s basically XP’s “ejector seat” in case it reaches any significant problems that your system cannot tackle. Fortunately, it’s actually very easy to fix.

How To Fix The Stop 0x0000000A Error

Method 1  – Reinstall XP & Specify The Correct “HAL”

This is for advanced users who know how to install XP. You will need the installation disc for this to make sure that you can reinstall XP on your system. Here’s what to do:

1. Reinsert the XP installation disc and boot from it
2. During the installation startup, press F5 when the “Setup is inspecting your computer’s hardware configuration” message is displayed.
3. When you are prompted, make sure that you specify the correct computer type and Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL). For example, if you have a single processor, specify the “Standard PC” HAL.
4. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
   • If this resolves the Stop error message and you successfully install Windows XP, you are finished.
   • If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 2.

Method 2  – Turn Off Features In BIOS

This is for advanced users who know how to get into the “BIOS” of your PC. You should proceed with caution past this point as changing the wrong BIOS setting could seriously compromise your system:

1. Restart your PC and load up the BIOS
2. Turn off all the following features in the CMOS settings of your computer. For instructions, see the hardware documentation or contact the manufacturer:
   • All caching, including L2, BIOS, internal/external, and writeback caching on disk controllers
   • All shadowing
   • Plug and Play
   • Any BIOS-based virus protection feature
3. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
   • If this resolves the Stop error message, go to step 3.
   • If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 3.
4. Try to isolate which feature is causing the error. To do this, re-enable each of these features one at a time, and then restart your computer after you re-enable each feature.
5. If you identify a problem feature, disable or remove it and contact the manufacturer to try to resolve the issue.If this does not isolate a problem with a CMOS setting, but this does resolve the Stop error message and you can start your computer normally, it may be that a setting was preventing the installation. If this is the case, turn on the setting after you install Windows XP, you are finished.

Method 3 – Remove Any Hardware And Adapaters

1. Remove all adapters and disconnect all hardware devices that are not required to start the computer or to install Windows. This includes the following adapters and devices:
   • SCSI devices
   • IDE devices
   • Network adapter
   • Internal modem
   • Sound card
   • Extra hard disks (you have to have at least one to complete the installation)
   • CD drive or DVD drive (if you are installing from the local hard disk)
2. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
   • If this resolves the Stop error message, continue to step c.
   • If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 5.
3. Try to isolate which adapter or hardware device is causing the error. After you reinstall Windows XP, reconnect each adapter or hardware device one at a time. Restart your computer after you reconnect each.
4. If this isolates a problem with hardware, disconnect the adapter or device and contact the vendor to try to resolve the issue.If this does not isolate a problem with hardware, but this does resolve the Stop error message and you can start your computer normally, it may be that some hardware was preventing the installation. If this is the case, reconnect the hardware after you install Windows XP, and then you are finished.

Method 4 – Clean The Registry

The registry is a big database which Windows relies on to run. It stores information ranging from your latest emails, desktop wallpaper and even your hardware settings. The registry is a vital part of XP but is also a big cause of the Stop 0x0000000A error. The registry stores a lot of hardware references which XP needs in order to run. It’s often the case that many of these references become damaged or corrupted, which will make XP unable to read them. This can cause the Stop 0x0000000A error as XP will be unable to read the hardware references that your system has.

Cleaning the registry with a registry cleaner can be one of the most effective ways to boost the reliability of your XP machine. You can download our recommended XP registry cleaner below: