Another BSOD problem

I'm working with a MG tech to try and trouble shoot a BSOD concern on one computer and the laptop I'm using to check messages from the forum just BSODed. This would be funny if it wasn't so frustrating. Anyway this is new thread since it is a different machine. I ran Memtest86+ just for the heck of it. The RAM tested out okay. I've attached a dump.txt. I'm sorry that I am such a wuss.

 

Looks like it's being caused by avast

Do you use avast?

I would try and update avast if you can and see if it fixes the problem if you use it.

Do you get the bosd as soon as you boot into windows?

 

I thought that might be Avast, it gave me a message telling me the last attempt to update had been unsuccessful. I did a manual update and it worked okay. It just updated again when I woke up the the computer this morning. I don't crash when I first start up, it happens sometimes when the computer is just sitting idle. I'm beginning to wonder if it is not related to Comcast.net because that is where I get my email and I leave it on all the time.

BTW, I've got lots of minidumps in my flle but I can only see the latest one when I look them with win Dbg. Is there a way to look at later episodes to compare them. Another thing is the Last couple of times the computer rebooted before I could read the code. This even though I've got the settings to not reboot. I don't know if I mentioned I'm running Win XP Home with SP3.

 

Try going to Add/Remove Programs and doing a repair install of Avast. Which version of Avast, 4.8 or 5.0? If 4.8 then you should probably upgrade to 5.0. If you're already using 5.0, make sure the program itself is up to date. Should be 5.0 build 462 or 5.0.462, at least that's what mine is.

This was, evidently, a problem with the Avast self protection module in one of the earlier builds of both versions. I never bumped into the problem but I don't use Comcast or have Online Armor either so don't know if it is a conflict with one or both of those two or not.

Hope some one else can answer your question about Win Dbg and the minidump files. I'm sure there is a way to redirect it to the file you want it to analyze but it's been to long since I've run it to remember. Failing all else, I suppose you could copy all the mini's to another folder, delete all the mini's then copy the one you wish to analyze back from the folder you copied to. Then analyze. Not a very elegant method to say the least.

 

I have the latest version of Avast. When Comcast decided to begin supplying Norton Systems as their integrated protection I downloaded it and had nothing but grief. Long story short I got tired of having to uninstall and reinstall so I just went to Avast since I have it on other systems with no trouble. All that to say I had BSOD before I started using Avast, so it may only be the latest of a long string of fatal stop causes. I suppose Online Armor could be in conflict with something, but I hadn't heard of any one saying it is . . . so far at least. I'll wait a bit and see if someone can remember how to get to the minidumps, the system is behaving 99% of the time, although any BSOD is a pain in the neck. Thanks for taking the time to help though I do appreciate it.

 

AAhh... Try this Norton Removal Tool. Then don't let Norton's back on the system. Or get rid of Avast and use Norton's. "There can be only one." Even if there are small bits of Norton's left behind it can cause problems when another Anti-virus is installed.

 

Okay, I ran the Norton removal tool. I'm practiced at it since I had to do it so much when Norton kept crashing. BUT, now that I think about it I had Mcafee before that. I wonder if there are traces of Mcafee still lurking? Any idea on how to make sure it's gone?

 

http://www.majorgeeks.com/McAfee_Consumer_Product_Removal_Tool_d5420.html
Run the MCPR.exe in safe mode. F8 at boot.
Is your computer's time and date set right?
Cheers..

 

Yes, the time and date are correct. I ran MCPR.exe in safe mode. It completed by complained that it couldn't get permission to remove all programs. I just rebooted so we'll see I suppose. Thanks for the help.

 

Check for errors in Event viewer. Disconnect from the net - disable avast protection from right click in Sys tray. Does the PC still crash?
Cheers..

 

Looked for errors in Event Viewer, there were a few, but they were related to system hangups not outright crashes, at least not as I could tell. Disconnected from the internet and disabled Avast for most of the day, no crashes. I've been back on for a couple of hours still no crashes. They seem to happen mostly when I'm not using the computer, when it is just idling with the Comcast.net browser running. I'll let it sit for a while and see what happens.

 

Just had another crash, looks like Avast again. I run it on lots of computers and never have a problem. Now boop! Off it goes. I admit I don't know what to do next.

 

Not a resolution I'm aware, but are you willing to give Avira a go.

Uninstall avast, use the utility:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Avast_Uninstall_Utility__d5528.html

Run CCleaner.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/CCleaner_Slim_d4191.html

Let it clean up the registry as well. CC will prompt you to save changes to the registry- save them. You may need to run this a few time to remove all errors -remember to save each time.

Get Avira from here:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Avira_AntiVir_Personal_-_FREE_Antivirus_d955.html

Cheers..

 

Sikvik's solution is probably the best route to take and Avira's Antivir is a highly effective anti-virus application.

If you would like to try one last time to see if avast can be made to work then follow the steps bellow. But I suspect there may be a conflict between the Comcast.net browser and one of avast's shields. It's also possible that the MCPR program didn't get the job done.

Hopefully the MCPR.exe program can be made to run without complaining about permissions this time around.

But first you need to have Cleaner Slim installed.

For the rest of this you should be disconnected from the internet.

Open the avast "user interface"(left click on the avast systray icon). Click on the "SETTINGS" tab. Once the "SETTINGS" window is on screen, click on "Troubleshooting" at the bottom of the list in the panel on the left.

Under the "TROUBLESHOOTING" panel on the right look for and un-check the "Enable avast! self-defense module" item and click the "OK" button, then close out the "user interface". Right click on the avast systray icon and disable(permanently) the shields.

Reboot in safe mode and run the MCPR.exe program. When it has finished, reboot in safe mode and run it again, then reboot back in normal mode.

Once back in normal mode, avast's shields and sefl-defense module need to be re-enabled.

Last thing is to run CCleaner. Click on the "Run Cleaner" button(bottom right). When it's finished with that process, click the "Registry" icon in the left panel and then click the "Scan for Issues" button. If it finds any "Problem"(s) tell it to "fix" them. It will ask if you want to make a back up, answer yes. Repeat this "Scan for Issues" and "fix" sequence untill you receive a "No issues were found" message in the "Problem" column.

Now it's wait and see time, again.

 

http://support.comcastvault.net/docs/faq/backup/concepts/commissue_upgrade_issues_c.html

Lot of errors in the dump regarding Comcast back up and share. Can back up and share be disabled. I'm literally in a different world and have no idea about the feature that comcast provides. Apparently 2GB back up is free and additional is charged. Probably backs up when idle - the time the crash takes place as you mentioned.

Cheers..

 

Good find sikvik. May be just a matter of putting that "Secure Backup and Share" in the avast exclusion list.

 

Lots of stuff happened while I was asleep, :-o, but I decided to see what Avira can do. Of course that opened up another can of worms as it found a Trojan. I have an unknown on the "guard" which I understand means I most likely have some other malware hanging around. I'm going to run some scans and see if I can get the system cleaned out. I'll Keep Avira for awhile since I already have it installed. Good work on trying to sort this out, I do think the back up is causing a conflict, although it is supposed to be a good thing it is really a money grab since two gigs doesn't really back up very much. I may have to move over to the malware forum, but if needs be I'll come back here.

 

In Sikvik's link, it said that many Anti-virus programs were detecting the "Secure Backup and Share", so Antivir may be picking up on that. One can hope.

That's what I would do. If there is a form of malware about, that needs to be delt with first.

After you go threw the READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide and been given the all clear in malware removal, I think, I'd get rid of that backup and share stuff.

Good Luck.

 

I agree on the backup and share, it is just a scam and is causing me trouble on top of that. I'm at the malware forum and running the drill. So far Superantispyware came up clean and only one problem located by malware bytes. I need to switch to another computer so I get the online instructions while I run combo fix and the rest of the stuff. Thanks for the expert guidance, I think we are on the right track here.

 

Okay, got a clean bill of health on the malware front. I deactivated the Comcast Backup and Share. Then I installed Avira and couldn't get the guard to activate. I went to their forums to see what was up with that, but they seemed disorganized. So I took Avira out. No BSOD lately. I'll check the Antispyware area and see if anything looks like it will work for me.

 

Might be a good idea to download Erunt. Erunt is a registry backup/restore utility. Any time you're going to make a change to the system(e.g. install a new program), run Erunt first. Then if need be, the registry can be restored exactly as it was when Erunt made the backup. You'll need to keep and eye on the folder where Erunt places the backups though, as the backups can become numerous and you'll have to delete them manually(oldest first).

When you say you "deactivated the Comcast Backup and Share", did you leave it installed? If so, look in Add/Remove programs and see if it is listed. If it's listed, let's try removing it with Revo Uninstaller. If you haven't used Revo before, let us know and we'll walk you through it. The important thing to remember about Revo... when it comes time for it to clean entries from the registry, is to make sure that only the bolded items are checked(selected for deletion). To do otherwise might relegate your computer to a fancy door stop.

Also need to take a look in the "device manager" and see if any are showing an "!" or a "?". If there are, we'll probably have to go find the driver(s) for it/them.

When it comes to reading those logs, I'm about as far from and expert as you can get, but it looks like there are still remnants(files/folders) from Norton's and Avast on there. Whether they are causing problems or not, can't say. Just thinking, Antivir may be detecting them and believe Norton's/avast is/are still installed. Try looking for these:

c:\documents and settings\All Users\Application Data\NortonInstaller
c:\documents and settings\All Users\Application Data\Norton
c:\documents and settings\All Users\Application Data\Symantec

and:

c:\documents and settings\All Users\Application Data\Alwil Software
c:\program files\Alwil Software

If they exist, delete them, run CCleaner, reboot and then try to reinstall Avira. Really need to get an anti-virus back up and running. If you would like to go back to avast then you need to be sure Antivir is removed properly, AntiVir Removal.

For a supplemental program, to your real time anti-virus program, I like PC Tools ThreatFire. That's just a personal preference though and certainly not shared by all. TBH though, think you should first solve the problem of getting an anti-virus up and working properly before adding any other real time protection that could subsequently cause problems getting a real time anti-virus installed properly.

Might want to wait a little while for a second opinion on all of this. Some one else may have good reason to disagree and have much better suggestions.

 

Okay, gave up on Avira, I tried to get help through their support page, but tired of not getting any answers from an administrator. Read the last post, went through looking for traces of other antivirus programs, and ran the Avira removal. I did uninstall Secure Backup and Restore via add remove programs. I got Avast again since it seems to be the only one that doesn't give me a hassle when I install it. I did download the suggested registry backup program and Revolvo although I didn't do anything with it without instruction as suggested. Oh Device Manager is happy. So Now I'll do my thing and see what happens next.

 

I'll bet you're about due for a dose of aspirin.

It's a little to late for Revo, in this instance, since you've already uninstalled Secure Backup and Restore. Revo Uninstaller was designed to be used in place of Add/Remove and does a much better job of removing remnants than the supplied un-installers, which sometimes leave a bunch.

Hopefully all goes well this time around. Let us know.

 

I've been messing around with computers since the old Commodore days so I've had plenty of heartache. It's a lot different now days though, used to be hardware problems, now not so much that as dipsticks messing with the software. I'll hang on to Revolvo in case I run across another conflict, but so far no BOSD. Thanks for the help, I do appreciate it.

 

You're gunna love this, now that you've just re-installed avast... a new build just came out. Ver. 5.0.507. If you haven't gotten it yet, might consider going into the avast maintenance panel and click on the "Update Program" button. One of the "Most notable improvements" that caught my eye:

Which is the file that your minidump kept showing.

I was in the Apple][, //e and //gs camp. Was to stupid to figure out how to operate those Commodores. If a method could be found to do away with all this infernal malware proliferation, a lot of these problems would disappear.

 

Okie dokie, got the update to new version of Avast. Whenever there is anything worth doing someone will try to do something illegal or unethical with it. After a tragedy like the earthquake in Haiti there were phony charities popping up, so I have little hope for an abatement on malware any time soon. Thanks for the tip Kirstain, I checked the ram with Mem86+ when I first had a BSOD even though the dump code didn't suggest it as a cause. Still a good idea though.

 

Yep, have to agree. Well, were moving off topic(more suited for the lounge). Let us know if there are any more problems. Keep Threatfire in mind, it's been known to stop things that managed to slip by anti-virii and it works well with avast. Once it's configured, it just sits quietly in the backround waiting to pounce.