Windows 7: BSOD on system start-up, IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Hi Guys,

This is my first time posting as I've always been pretty nifty sorting problems out, however, I am completely stumped!

For a long time now I have got BSOD every time I use the integrated webcam on my Dell Inspiron 1764. I bought it back in 2010 and never really got it sorted as I don't use the webcam at all.

Today, unfortunately, my laptop just decided to switch itself off and on again constantly going to the BSOD.

Safe mode isn't working, I'm only getting a white screen! I've tried F8 on boot up and use a system repair, couldn't find any faults.

Tried Safe Mode in Networking and got the saem white screen as safe mode, but on the odd occasion it goes to a screen saying that I've been caught pirating material - Police Central e-Crime Unit - big virus going round.

So my problems seem to be two-fold.

1) I have a virus, but in order to remove it I need to enter safe mode or normal mode.
2) When I enter normal mode it goes straight to BSOD after 'Waiting'

Unfortunately I'm not smart enough to have done a system restore point in the last 18 months and there is some vital work on my laptop which I can't lose, so formatting is out of the question.

Also, I know it is the webcam causing the issue as the little white dot on the lens shows up just before it goes to BSOD, which is what has historically happened.


I hope there is something that can be done, appreciate all your help!

Since we're dealing with an obvious infection, you'll want to redirect your attention to the security subforum here at SF. Link to this thread for reference, and follow the instructions for posting there to the best of your ability.

Otherwise, personally I would consider using a LiveCD environment like Parted Magic, retrieve and backup your critical files, and then reinstall Windows, doing a complete reformat of the system drive, and start back from scratch. Afterwards you may wanna check (not fix, but check) using a rootkit checker like Kaspersky's TDSSKiller to verify we aren't dealing with a rootkit (some rootkits will not go away from disk reformats).

This is one of those times where one becomes acquainted with the wisdom that is establishing a backup solution. It's not necessary for any PC, but if you have production files like what you mentioned on your system that cannot be lost, you must setup at least a rudimentary backup and recovery system.