BSOD When Installing Net Framework 3.5

The one other time I got a BSOD, the computer auto-rebooted and ran the fixer disk program (sorry, don't know the official name of it), but 2 days ago, the BSOD had infected EVERYTHING, meaning I could not even get the system to work in safe mode. Here's what happened: Net Framework 3.5 was trying to install (it happened at the tail end of my installing Greeting Card Factory v. 8, but I've had major problems before when I tried to install an earlier version of Net Framework for the free "Paint.net" program), and while it was doing that, I got a blitz-quick BSOD with a message I couldn't read, bec. the 'puter shut down too fast. I tried and tried to reboot, and managed only to read the word "corrupted." Had to totally reformat, and lost a bunch of files, darn it!

So, my question is: (1) Is there some way to keep Net Framework from even starting to download? (2) Would there have been some way to avoid having to reformat? (I have to do it soooo much bec. even tho I use AVG and keep it updated, still, the CompuServe dial-up program I use as my ISP [don't laff: ain't funny bein' a pohr hillbilly {snort}] allows a lot of malware to slip thru into my system [I don't think AVG protects the CS sluice].) (3) If I use a USB drive or an external hard drive, will those suffer if I have another BSOD?

TIA for any advice on this.

IHS

 

What version of Windows are you using ?? Did you reinstall Windows ??

 

XP, and yes, reformatting involves reinstalling (1) the OS and (2) the drivers, all of which I did (I've done it umpteen times in 13 years I've been using computers).

 

I was just wondering if you installed Windows without attempting to download Net Framework.

 

roflmao You're spot on with this: it is maddening!

This was s.th. I was not familiar with, thanx!

The built-in NFW (old version, I guess) does not seem to cause problems on my 'puter: it's the newer versions that do.