BSOD!!! How do I prevent it from happening again?

I just got the BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH for the first time in a few years. It happened right after I got an error message about flash.ocx. Shortly before that I had to fix a problem with my Windows Theme. It was stuck on Classic. I could change the theme to Windows XP and it would change the background, but not the taskbar or explorer windows. But I finally got that fixed, and then this happens. What should I check up on to help prevent it from happening again?

 

Write down the 0x000000?? error code & any offending program next time.

 

This is a check list that one can go through 2 or 3 times a year. Or more.

1. Update and run all your security programs
2. Run a few online scanners for extra security. This here is Kasperskys. And this here is ESET NOD32 - go for a full scan every time
3. Run a sfc /scannow. Microsoft article: Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker
4. Run a chkdsk. Microsoft article: How to perform disk error checking in Windows XP.
5. Visit Microsoft Update
6. Download Secunia PSI RC3 and run it. Update everything else according to it's suggestions
7. Visit the homepage of your PC manufacturer and update all your drivers
8. Run this relatively new, free online scanner from Microsoft. It has some extra cleaning functions that will speed up your system: Windows Live OneCare safety scanner. Go for a full scan and OK all it's suggestions
9. Run CCleaner - all features check marked, - also run it's registry cleaner function
10. Run your build in Microsoft disk defragmenter. Click the Windows Start button -> point to Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> click Disk Defragmenter

 

Installing or updating programs on a dirty computer is a bad idea so you can't skip the security scannings on top of the list...

 

Well, I completed most of the tasks listed below when I decided to shut down for the night. I did everything up to just before Windows Live OneCare scan. When I clicked on shut down I turned away then turned back to find another BSOD! In short, it read:

(text)
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
(more text about what to do if it keeps happening)
STOP: 0x0000000A (0x00000254, 0x00000002, 0x00000001, 0x804DBC8E)
(physical memory dump status)

I kept the computer shut down for the night. When I booted up this morning and tried to log into my user account, I got the following error:

Explorer.exe - Application Failure - 0xc0000005

I tried to open explorer through Task Manager-->New Task, but I continued to get the same error. So, I decided to shut down again to restart in safe mode and I got the BSOD again. It was almost the same as above except for the first set inside the parenthesis, which was: 0x00000054.

Also, just to let you know, I recently updated Windows from SP2 to SP3, and right before my troubles began I downloaded "The Ultimate Troubleshooter," tried it out, stopped a couple of minor programs from starting up with Windows (such as Adobe Reader), decided I didn't want to pay for the program, and uninstalled it. It was almost immediately after that, while I was online, that I got my first BSOD.

 

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35246

 

Ok. Acouple of things to note:

1. I forgot that I also recently (yesterday, before the BSODs) I made a change in the BIOS settings regarding RealTek AC'97 audio. I switched it from "Auto" to "Enable." About half an hour ago I went back into BIOS and changed it back to "Auto." Now I don't get an error regarding Explorer.exe. But, I also don't have audio. For some reason my audio only worked when I switched it to "Enable." Now, I have explorer working, but no audio.

2. The Windows Debugging Tool ahows that there is a problem with savrt.sys, which is a Symantec Antivirus file. I checked all 3 of my minidump files and they all point to that file. I do have Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition installed on my computer. I wonder if Service Pack 3 has anything to do with this conflict!:confused

 

Sounds like you found the culprit (Symantec).