BSODs starting up again - 0x0000009F

BTW I am running Vipre - a) I gather that Vipre does use a few SB functions (is that right?), and b) Vipre has a firewall, so presumably I don't need to run the Windows firewall as well - or can/should one run several?

Thx

Boozad, help! You say that the Atheros is causing plenty of issues! I assume you mean the software that's driving it, rather than the actual hardware...? What kinds of issues?

Now when I look at msinfo32.nfo, I see under Components/Network/Adapter a number of devices using the SB driver SMFWIM.sys - which explains why the network access died when I tried simply deleting it, based on what Arc seemed to be saying, but unfortunately couldn't explain in terms I could understand! In fact I see quite a few entries all saying GFI Software Firewall NDIS IM Filter Miniport - is this normal, or just a red herring?!

One other diagnostic I saw seemed to be blaming vwifimp.sys - what do you think?

Thanks,

Paul M.

I personally think, that you should get rid of Vipre. Windows Firewall can secure your internet connection.

Let's see, if Windows can automatically detect your ethernet:
1. Go to device manager.
2. Expand all network adapters.
3. Select your ethernet driver.
4. Right-click and select uninstall or something familiar.
5. Restart Windows after that is done.
6. You see, in notification area, that the drivers is installing.


After that, see if you get new BSoD's.

Hi Hexagon12,

Sorry to be a bit slow, but I didn't quite understand if you were answering my questions to Boozad of last night, or answering based on the dumps I sent...

First, are you saying that Vipre is a problem generally (I think it is or was one of the most highly rated AntiVirus tools), or just that I should cripple its firewall facility, or something else....?

Second, when you said "ethernet driver", for each line in the Network Adapters category, there are two drivers, one of which is the SunBelt one (SBFWIM); the other is specific, e.g. vwifimp.sys. The Atheros has 2 vwifibus.sys and athrx.sys.... Do I uninstall all or just the Sunbelt one?

Third, in your note, when I display it, the words "driver" and "drivers" are replaced by a link to DriverUpdater (by tweakbit) - is this something you guys endorse?

Fourth, do you still consider athrx.sys a problem?

Thanks so much for your prompt replies,

Regards,

Paul

Hi Boozad, sorry to hear you've been ill - and please don't rush to look at my problem. The BSODs were only occasional anyway - it was more that I wouldn't mind answers to my questions in the previous post - totally at your leisure! The machine runs pretty well as far as I can see - unless there are viruses present that neither Vipre nor MalwareBytes are picking up!

One odd thing I have just run into is that there are a bunch of hidden drivers in my DeviceManager Network Adapters settings which reference GFI Software Firewall NDIS IM Filter Miniport, which may have been what Arc was talking about - except that he didn't tell me how to find them! I just stumbled across them! I tried uninstalling them yesterday, but they're back today!

Last question - again no rush: Hexagon12 suggested stopping my (Vipre) Firewall and using Windows FW instead - a) do you agree, and b) does the Windows FW do any web filtering?

Thanks a million, and get well soon!

Thanks, Boozad, that's clear! I had already switched to Windows Firewall, so that's good! I am thinking of dropping Vipre anyway as it is no longer #1 apparently! Looks like either Bitdefender or MSE...

Not sure how to get rid of the GFI driver remnants - also I don't know if you still think athrx.sys is a problem.