Major Computer Crash - Help!!!

Outpost provides a firewall, anti-malware, anti-spam, anti-leak and email scanning functions. It also has an autolearn mode - it's supposed to improve your protection as it learns your habits.

It's funny how we all prefer different software. I tried Comodo once because I'd heard so much about it and a lot of people seem to like it. It caused me no end of problems so I stopped using it but I'm talking about a number of years ago.

 

Almost 100% certain the problem is avast. Out of interest I just googled "BSOD after updating avast free antivirus" and came across this link to an avast forum. A lot of people appear to be having the same problem.

 

On Comodo, I did the same thing. The firewall program is super impressive, but it looked so complicated to master to me. This was probably back in 2010. I think Comodo does have a standalone internet protection feature program. I just looked...it's called Comodo Internet Security. Might work well with Outpost. One thing I look for with potential conflicts is do both apps cover e-mail. Apparently CIS doesn't so it might be a good replacement for avast! for you. That's if you are even up to taking a look at this point ...

From reading the avast! thread, it looks like there was a major conflict with Zone Alarm which avast! apparently fixed (reply #20). I wouldn't be surprised if there is a similar problem with your firewall, Outpost, that just hasn't been fixed.

There were some other complaints, but the Zone Alarm discussion seemed to dominate the topic to me.

I had the problem where I reinstalled and rebooted and avast! wouldn't start. It was in the systray, but off and none of the features worked. I posted on the avast! board and someone mentioned that I might have installed the pay version over the free version and that I should uninstall and reinstall. So I took the opportunity to use the Removal Tool to rid the PC of all references to avast! and then reinstalled, making sure to install the free version. Everything went according to plan and avast! is back with no problems so far...

I was very nervous over the prospects of potentially needing to change A-V. I've had avast! now for a long time, and I really didn't want to change.

In your situation, I guess you are stuck. You went to the wall for avast!, so there's not much left to do but come up with another strategy, which is what you are doing. I don't think there's much chance avast! will come up with a solution quickly for Outpost as I don't think there are as many users of it as there are of Zone Alarm, so there aren't as many to bring up the problem.

 

I had a look at avast's web site. They now seem to provide technical support for the free version. I've submitted a request for help. It'll be interesting to see what feedback I get.

I'm in the process of filling in a job application. I've wasted too much time this weekend on computer problems which I could have devoted to that. But, more annoying is that the application thus far is saved on my laptop. So this problem has had nightmarish connotations. My priority now is to finish that. Further computer work will have to wait. Just hope I complete it before technology lets me down again.

 

mark59...

Yes, that is a nightmare scenario. Hopefully you are in the clear now. Good idea to contact avast! They have a huge job, but I am sure someone will get to it...

Good luck with your job application

:cool

Be sure to post back if anything strange:eek happens...

 

Mark, I've taken a quick look at your crash dump from the Acer (laptop?), IMO it's a conflict of security software causing it and Avast! is left holding the smoking gun.

I see Agnitum, VirusBuster, Avast! and SAS all loaded. If the same drivers/programs are still installed (I've not read the full thread), I would suggest removing Agnitum and VirusBuster and enable the built-in Windows Firewall during stability testing. Update your chipset and both networking drivers.

For information only: 3rd party drivers loaded, oldest first (drivers should not be older than the Windows version):
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=NTIDrvr.sys

DKbFltr.sys Thu Oct 19 09:24:28 2006 (4537363C)
Dritek Keyboard Filter driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=DKbFltr.sys

sncduvc.SYS Thu Dec 28 03:21:50 2006 (4593384E)
Suyin USB 2.0 Webcam driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=sncduvc.SYS

b57nd60x.sys Thu Feb 8 23:03:14 2007 (45CBAC32)
Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet NDIS6.0 Driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=b57nd60x.sys

HSX_CNXT.sys Thu Mar 1 22:16:02 2007 (45E750A2)
SoftK56 Modem Driver by Conexant Systems
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=HSX_CNXT.sys

HSXHWAZL.sys Thu Mar 1 22:16:12 2007 (45E750AC)
SoftK56 Modem Driver by Conexant Systems
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=HSXHWAZL.sys

HSX_DPV.sys Thu Mar 1 22:17:31 2007 (45E750FB)
SoftK56 Modem Driver by Conexant Systems
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=HSX_DPV.sys

winbondcir.sys Wed Mar 28 06:51:32 2007 (460A0264)
Winbond MCE CIR Port driver (infrared receiver)
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=winbondcir.sys

snp2uvc.sys Tue Jun 12 03:38:23 2007 (466E071F)
Suyin USB 2.0 Webcam driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=snp2uvc.sys

rimsptsk.sys Mon Jul 30 02:42:56 2007 (46AD4220)
Ricoh Memory Card Reader driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=rimsptsk.sys

rixdptsk.sys Mon Jul 30 03:54:01 2007 (46AD52C9)
Ricoh Memory Card Reader driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=rixdptsk.sys

RTKVHDA.sys Wed Aug 22 11:44:12 2007 (46CC137C)
Realtek HD Audio Codec Driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=RTKVHDA.sys

SynTP.sys Fri Sep 7 19:16:58 2007 (46E1959A)
Synaptic Touch Pad Driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=SynTP.sys

iaStor.sys Sun Sep 30 06:20:12 2007 (46FF320C)
Intel Storage drivers
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=iaStor.sys

psdfilter.sys Sun Dec 30 04:18:30 2007 (47771C16)
Acer eDataSecurity Management PSD Filter Driver by HiTRUST
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=psdfilter.sys

intelppm.sys Sat Jan 19 05:27:20 2008 (47918A38)
Intel Processor driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=intelppm.sys

intelide.sys Sat Jan 19 05:49:42 2008 (47918F76)
Intel IDE storage driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=intelide.sys

igdkmd32.sys Mon Feb 11 19:36:07 2008 (47B0A3A7)
Intel Graphics driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=igdkmd32.sys

rimmptsk.sys Fri Feb 15 08:42:41 2008 (47B55081)
Ricoh Memory Card Reader driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=rimmptsk.sys

NETw5v32.sys Mon Nov 17 15:40:18 2008 (49219062)
Intel Wireless WiFi Link Driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=NETw5v32.sys

afw.sys Tue Apr 20 13:01:38 2010 (4BCD97A2)
Agnitum Firewall Driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=afw.sys

afwcore.sys Mon Sep 27 12:37:34 2010 (4CA081FE)
Agnitum Firewall Driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=afwcore.sys

SmartDefragDriver.sys Fri Nov 26 09:32:43 2010 (4CEF7EBB)
Smart Defrag
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=SmartDefragDriver.sys

VBEngNT.sys Mon Jan 31 14:03:47 2011 (4D46C143)
Virus Buster
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=VBEngNT.sys

ASWFilt.dll Mon Mar 21 13:27:14 2011 (4D875232)

ASWFilt.dll - this driver hasn't been added to the DRT as of this run. Please search Google/Bing for the driver if additional information is needed.

VBFilt.dll Mon Mar 21 13:27:18 2011 (4D875236)

VBFilt.dll - this driver hasn't been added to the DRT as of this run. Please search Google/Bing for the driver if additional information is needed.

SandBox.sys Mon Mar 21 13:27:55 2011 (4D87525B)

SandBox.sys - this driver hasn't been added to the DRT as of this run. Please search Google/Bing for the driver if additional information is needed.

tap0901.sys Thu Mar 24 21:20:11 2011 (4D8BB58B)
OpenVPN driver or COMODO
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=tap0901.sys

SASKUTIL.SYS Tue Jul 12 21:24:48 2011 (4E1CAD90)
SUPERAntispyware driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=SASKUTIL.SYS

SASDIFSV.SYS Fri Jul 22 00:03:16 2011 (4E28B034)
SUPERAntispyware driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=SASDIFSV.SYS

3bv8t753.vbt Fri Jul 20 00:48:16 2012 (50089CC0)

3bv8t753.vbt - this driver hasn't been added to the DRT as of this run. Please search Google/Bing for the driver if additional information is needed.

aswRvrt.sys Thu May 2 00:22:22 2013 (5181A3AE)

aswRvrt.sys - this driver hasn't been added to the DRT as of this run. Please search Google/Bing for the driver if additional information is needed.

aswFsBlk.SYS Thu May 2 00:22:38 2013 (5181A3BE)
avast! File System Access Blocking Driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=aswFsBlk.SYS

aswMonFlt.sys Thu May 2 00:22:44 2013 (5181A3C4)
avast! File System Minifilter Driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=aswMonFlt.sys

AswRdr.SYS Thu May 2 00:22:49 2013 (5181A3C9)
avast! TDI RDR Driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=AswRdr.SYS

aswTdi.SYS Thu May 2 00:22:50 2013 (5181A3CA)
avast! TDI Filter Driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=aswTdi.SYS

aswSP.SYS Thu May 2 00:23:30 2013 (5181A3F2)
avast! Self Protection Driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=aswSP.SYS

aswSnx.SYS Thu May 2 00:23:41 2013 (5181A3FD)
avast! Virtualization Driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=aswSnx.SYS

aswVmm.sys Thu May 2 15:52:25 2013 (51827DA9)

aswVmm.sys - this driver hasn't been added to the DRT as of this run. Please search Google/Bing for the driver if additional information is needed.

BSOD BUGCHECK SUMMARY

Code:

[font=lucida console]
Debug session time: Sat May  4 12:19:58.477 2013 (GMT+1)
Loading Dump File [C:\Users\RoLY\SysnativeBSODApps\Mini050413-01.dmp]
Built by: 6002.18805.x86fre.vistasp2_gdr.130308-1436
System Uptime: 0 days 0:00:34.179
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for aswTdi.SYS
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for aswTdi.SYS
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for AswRdr.SYS
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for AswRdr.SYS
Probably caused by : tdx.sys ( tdx!TdxIssueQueryAddressRequest+202 )
BugCheck A, {0, 2, 1, 82618ede}
BugCheck Info: [url=http://www.carrona.org/bsodindx.html#0x0000000A]IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (a)[/url]
Bugcheck code 0000000A
Arguments: 
Arg1: 00000000, memory referenced
Arg2: 00000002, IRQL
Arg3: 00000001, bitfield :
	bit 0 : value 0 = read operation, 1 = write operation
	bit 3 : value 0 = not an execute operation, 1 = execute operation (only on chips which support this level of status)
Arg4: 82618ede, address which referenced memory
BUGCHECK_STR:  0xA
DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  VISTA_DRIVER_FAULT
PROCESS_NAME:  System
FAILURE_BUCKET_ID:  0xA_tdx!TdxIssueQueryAddressRequest+202
MaxSpeed:     1830
CurrentSpeed: 1833
BiosVersion = v1.3811
BiosReleaseDate = 03/14/2008
SystemManufacturer = Acer, inc.
SystemProductName = Aspire 5920[/font]

 

Satrow, thank you for doing that. I do have Agnitum's Outpost Security Suite. I use it solely as my firewall. I'm fully aware that having more than one anti-virus programme is most likely to lead to conflicts; therefore, in Outpost I had the anti-malware functions turned off.

I've never heard of virusbuster and I've absolutely no idea where that's come from.

If SAS stands for SUPERAntispyware I have that on my Acer laptop. I wasn't aware that is caused conflicts with anti-virus programmes. I chose to have SAS after it was recommended on one of the guides on Majorgeeks. When I have had problems on my computers before people have told me that it was good I had SUPERAntispyware.

Why do I think it is avast. When I updated it to version 8 I got the BSOD. I removed avast with Revo Uninstaller. Another member told me thAt wasn't enough so I downloaded an exe file from avast's website called aswclear.exe, which removes remnants left behind when you uninstall avast. When I had done this I downloaded and installed version 8 again and got the BSOD again. This scenario was repeated on my desktop. It has only been by uninstalling avast again that I've recovered from the BSOD. I think that's enough empirical data to point the finger at avast.

On both my computers I am currently protected with the following. Do I have too much protection?

Agnitum Outpost Security Suite - as my anti-virus and firewall.
Malwarebytes Antimalware
SUPERAntispyware
Spyware Buster
Windows Defender

As for the rest of your post regarding "information only" about drives: I'm afraid you've lost me and I don't understand what you're telling me.

 

satrow...

Thanks for the post on this topic. That was a massive amount of work you put in putting together such a long list of drivers.

I searched high and low over the avast! boards, and I have basically the same opinion you do. avast! has some firewall type protections that I am fairly certain do not conflict with the Windows firewall in any of the versions, but mark59 stated he wanted to keep Agnitum Outpost. On the avast! boards I found numerous instances of conflicts with Zone Alarm and quite a stir over the issue, which avast! did apparently fix. I guess they haven't done so yet for Outpost. Or->...perhaps it is the Spyware Buster program causing the conflict. I say this because I happened to notice that one of the moderators on the avast! board was running Agnitum Outpost with avast! 8 with apparently no problems...

I'll defer to satrow, as I am no expert on security per se, but I would say you can get rid of Spyware Buster, although it depends somewhat on how you use the programs you have. I have Malwarebytes and SAS, but I don't run them on boot...just when I suspect there might be a problem of some kind. With Windows Defender and Outpost, you should be covered I think without any need to run the full time scanner from SAS. The Malwarebytes scanner is a pay service, but I shouldn't think you would need it either...

 

In most security software, you can turn off functions all you want, it's unlikely that they're fully disconnected though. You could try running an uninstall and just deselect those parts you don't need, same thing goes for both Agnitum and Avast! Simpler to install just a 3rd party firewall + Avast!

Also, note that your core Agnitum Firewall drivers are ~3 years old, are you sure you have the latest version?

Don't run dupes (sandboxing for example), if you can't rip one of them out, disable it in the preferences or set it to ask, not to automatically sandbox. You'll need all the popups and logging turned on in both, if you want any chance of them both working in harmony. Once you've cracked the conflict, you can then turn the logging and poups down.

Explains that

Spyware Buster? Never heard of it, details please.

If SAS and MBAM are both freeware versions, there should be no conflicts caused by them, Defender may cause some lagginess if you don't get the Agnitum/Avast! feature set right.

The big list of files/dates/links are to show how old the 3rd party drivers are - age is important - any driver written before the launch/build date of your version of Windows must be suspect, as it was written for a Beta or previous version entirely. Ideally, all 3rd party drivers should date from after the last Service Pack was launched/built for best compatibility.

Same goes for parts of Windows that are patched; if the networking subsystem gets a patch, you may need to check for updates to your security and network hardware drivers so that they all work together. If the graphics subsystem is patched, you may need to look out for a new graphics card driver and even a patch/update for your web browser.



No, it really wasn't much work at all, I use (badly) an app written by writhziden. Oh, it's his birthday today - Happy Birthday Mike :wine

 

I do not want to take the risk of getting the blue screen of death again. Therefore, I am extremely reluctant to try Avast again. Whilst the problem can be solved, it takes up a lot of time.

My apologies about Spyware Buster. That is a figment of my (tired) imagination in a post written in the early hours of the morning. The software I meant to refer to was SpywareBlaster.

All my applications are up-to-date (re: your question is Outpost up-to-date?). At the very least, I update all security applications weekly; likewise, I run Windows Update, at least, once per week. I also use Filehippo's Update Checker to check for software.

I'm afraid you're dealing with someone who is probably at Level -2 with technology these days. I'm afraid I didn't understand what you said about dupes and sandboxing. (When it comes to computing these days I feel like a dinosaur.)

What is the best, i.e. safest way, to go about (1) checking for up-to-date drivers and (2) download and install them?

 

SpywareBlaster is passive, it shouldn't cause any issues.

For common drivers, http://www.majorgeeks.com/mg/sortdate/drivers.html is a good place to start, for specific drivers/details for your hardware, check the motherboard/laptop site. The list I gave earlier has clickable links, there should be some further links to the software/chipset maker there. Don't use 'driver tools' unless you want Windows to end up loading 8x more drivers for hard drive controllers than you have in the computer.

Secunia PSI is very good for checking whether programs are up to date.

BSODs are a fact of life for users who install conflicting software, multiple 'utilities' etc. Clean is good, not just for privacy and security but also for stability - if Windows has a built-in tool like a firewall or defragger, don't throw 3rd party alternatives at it for the sake of it.

If you've ever had a previous firewall or antimalware product installed, make sure it's completely gone by checking out the list here: http://www.carrona.org/avuninst.html - that goes for when you remove Avast! too. Any remnants left over can, and do, cause BSODs.

 

Unfortunately, I'm not a computer expert. To a certain extent I am a victim of conflicting advice. Every programme I have in terms of security have come from recommendations on Majorgeeks. Consistent advice has been if it's not Windows own then it's a good start. Consequently, I do not use Windows Firewall nor their defragger. Now you are suggesting that I'm doing the wrong thing.

All I want is a computer that is safe and secure.

Until I updated avast I didn't have BSOD.

I will have to work through your guidance on updating my drivers.

 

I propose making the changes described below to my computers. Would you please confirm this is consonant with advice I’ve been given in this thread? Obviously, I don’t want to leave them in an unstable and/or insecure state.

As I’ve said in previous posts, I’ve uninstalled avast! Free Antivirus from my computers using Revo Uninstaller. I have used Avast’s removal tool to remove all remnants of avast software. To ensure it’s all been deleted I ran the tool in all user accounts (with administrator rights) on both computers for all free versions of avast.

I will be removing the following software from my computers:

• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
• Outpost Security Suite
• SpywareBlaster
• SUPERAntispyware

I intend to install the following:

• Avast! Free Antivirus 8.0.1489
• Outpost Firewall Free 6.5.1

If I get the BSOD again I will, again, remove avast and I intend to try the following:

• AntiVir Personal 13.0.0.3640

I have downloaded, installed and run “Secunia PSI”, which reported that all the software it checks is up-to-date.

 

You can keep the following, if they're the free versions, they are effectively passive (SB is passive.) until you scan with them:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
SUPERAntispyware
SpywareBlaster

 

Yes, I do have the free versions. Would you say they're OK to run when Windows starts up. I find it useful to be able to right click the icon for any new software or update I've downloaded and to able to scan it with these programmes. Does SpywareBlaster actually do anything?

 

It does on my computers.

 

I guess that means you installed the trial version, uninstall it and do a custom install, don't select the trial version, just install it as the free version.

 

I didn't install the trial version. I installed the free one. I've had MBAM for several years. If I'd installed the trial version I suspect it'd have expired by now.

My laptop was cleared of Avast several days ago using Avast's remnants clean-up tool: aswclear.exe. Yesterday, I uninstalled Outpost Security Suite using Revo Uninstaller Pro.

Last night, I installed first avast free anti-virus and then Outpost free firewall. So far everything is stable. I shall feel more confident in a few days time because I didn't initially get the BSOD immediately after I updated avast.

Should I now run avast's tool for cleaning-up remnants of older versions next time avast updates to a new version? Should I uninstall the old version, run the remnants clean-up tool when the next version update comes out? Should I just update and see if that results in any problems?

Thank you for the advice you've provided. Fingers crossed things will be OK now.

 

You've already run the Avast Clean Up Utility as per post #63. Installed fresh as per Post #65. You don't need to run the utility again. Update and continue.

Some confusion here, between a startup program
and running a scan manually once Windows boots.
Cheers..

 

There is a high probability that I'm repeating myself. I think I'm starting to lose the plot. This issue has taken up far too much of my life this past week.