BSOD on restart, boot and during Skype video call

silentsal · Mar 3, 2012

Hi

I've had 3 BSODs since the end of January - 2 of them yesterday. The first happened during restart after the system became unstable and would not load any Firefox pages or allow me to close it or stop any processes. I wasn't in the room at the time.

The second happened on boot and whilst I was out of the room, so not sure how far it got before happening.

The third happened a couple of minutes into a video Skype call yesterday. After reboot I was able to resume the Skype call, (although with just video on my side of the call (not receiving video) - we didn't try video on both sides)

System Details:

Model: Dell XPS L702x
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
Processor: Intel Core i5-2410M CPU @ 2.30GHz
Memory : 6GB (1X4GB + 1X2GB) 1333MHz DDR3 Dual Channel
Hard Drive : 500GB Serial ATA (7200RPM)

Windows 7 x64, originally installed on the system, OEM.
System is about 10 months old and so is the OS (no reinstall)

The laptop is always hooked up to a Samsung SyncMaster B2230 external monitor and a Buffalo Ministation external drive.

The first BSOD happened a day after allowing a McAfee technician to remotely reinstall McAfee Internet Security and 4 days after installing Photoshop CS5.

I don't know whether this is related or not, but I regularly get a problem where there is a time-lag when I am typing or before I can click on a Firefox link (though this may be Firefox). There's also a problem with McAfee intermittently using up to 84% of the CPU, so I dunno if that has something to do with it...

I've also had a few system freezes accompanied by a rhythmic squeak that sounded like it could be coming from the hard drive. IIRC there was one BSOD that happened during one of these times, though I don't think the dump file for that one is available. This hasn't happened for a few months and seemed to happen when playing music via Windows Media Player. I ran chkdsk and it didn't find any problems.

Any help would be gratefully received because I don't have a clue to fix this

Sally

panais · Mar 3, 2012

Hi.

Remove Mcafee from your system.

Download and install Microsoft Security Essentials with windows firewall enable.

For your system protection you can also use this http://www.sevenforums.com/system-s...-system-security-combination.html#post1732627

Finish with the above steps and post back with results\news.

silentsal · Mar 3, 2012

Hi

I'm a bit worried about removing McAfee and relying on MS Security Essentials / Malwarebytes

A user review on CNET states:

became infected with severe threat Troj JS/Blacole Ref.D. within hours of installing MS S.E This despite also having Malwarebytes Pro, G. Chrome 17 (fresh) all browser, definitions, updates current same day. This program does not prevent infection but only prompts user to take counter-measures (active removal). This was the first "severe threat" to infect my computer in 12 years. Make sure that you understand the default settings and change them.

Read more: Microsoft Security Essentials - Download.com Microsoft Security Essentials - Download.com

Do you really think that removing McAfee would stop the BSODs and other issues? McAfee regularly stops risky skype connections too, so don't want to lose that protection.

I realise that you've probably know more about this stuff than me and I know that McAfee might be causing me problems, but wouldn't another commercial Firewall / Antivirus(maybe Webroot?) be a better option?

Sally

panais · Mar 3, 2012

You must don't rely in cnet or in any websites general "talking"

Mcafee cause you troubles.

Mcafee gave you BSOD.

Remove Mcafee from your system.

Read and use this http://www.sevenforums.com/system-s...-system-security-combination.html#post1732627

You can use whatever you like,but don use (especially) these Mcafee,zonealarm.

silentsal · Mar 3, 2012

Would you mind explaining to me how I know for sure that McAfee gave me the BSOD?

Thanks for the link to the free security thread

It seems that the free versions of Malwarebtes and SuperAntiSpyware don't offer real-time protection, so I'd be relying on Microsoft Security Essentials for this and it seems from the CNET user that it's not too great at that.

Please could you give me some idea of the percentage of threats that your security suggestion would protect me from?

Also would MS Security Essentials firewall block risky skype connections?

Thanks

Sally

panais · Mar 3, 2012

Ok,lets try for one more time

This is a sample from one of your minidump analysis, mfehidk.sys is Mcafee.

As you can see mfehidk.sys is the source of the crash\bsod.

Code:

se !analyze -v to get detailed debugging information.

BugCheck C2, {7, 109b, 10f2c000, fffffa80054b1b7f}

Unable to load image \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\mfehidk.sys, Win32 error 0n2
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for mfehidk.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for mfehidk.sys
Probably caused by : mfehidk.sys ( mfehidk+561e0 )

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

0: kd> !analyze -v
*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************

BAD_POOL_CALLER (c2)
The current thread is making a bad pool request.  Typically this is at a bad IRQL level or double freeing the same allocation, etc.
Arguments:
Arg1: 0000000000000007, Attempt to free pool which was already freed
Arg2: 000000000000109b, (reserved)
Arg3: 0000000010f2c000, Memory contents of the pool block
Arg4: fffffa80054b1b7f, Address of the block of pool being deallocated

Debugging Details:
------------------


BUGCHECK_STR:  0xc2_7

CUSTOMER_CRASH_COUNT:  1

DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  VISTA_DRIVER_FAULT

PROCESS_NAME:  svchost.exe

CURRENT_IRQL:  0

LAST_CONTROL_TRANSFER:  from fffff800037c1be9 to fffff80003693c40

STACK_TEXT:  
fffff880`0ca5e188 fffff800`037c1be9 : 00000000`000000c2 00000000`00000007 00000000`0000109b 00000000`10f2c000 : nt!KeBugCheckEx
fffff880`0ca5e190 fffff880`010f11e0 : fffffa80`09f8a2c0 fffffa80`06603010 00000000`00000000 fffffa80`09e43010 : nt!ExDeferredFreePool+0x1201
fffff880`0ca5e240 fffffa80`09f8a2c0 : fffffa80`06603010 00000000`00000000 fffffa80`09e43010 fffffa80`054b1a40 : mfehidk+0x561e0
fffff880`0ca5e248 fffffa80`06603010 : 00000000`00000000 fffffa80`09e43010 fffffa80`054b1a40 fffff880`010f4c05 : 0xfffffa80`09f8a2c0
fffff880`0ca5e250 00000000`00000000 : fffffa80`09e43010 fffffa80`054b1a40 fffff880`010f4c05 00000000`00000000 : 0xfffffa80`06603010


STACK_COMMAND:  kb

FOLLOWUP_IP: 
mfehidk+561e0
fffff880`010f11e0 ??              ???

SYMBOL_STACK_INDEX:  2

SYMBOL_NAME:  mfehidk+561e0

FOLLOWUP_NAME:  MachineOwner

MODULE_NAME: mfehidk

IMAGE_NAME:  mfehidk.sys

DEBUG_FLR_IMAGE_TIMESTAMP:  4e935836

FAILURE_BUCKET_ID:  X64_0xc2_7_mfehidk+561e0

BUCKET_ID:  X64_0xc2_7_mfehidk+561e0

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

For now dont bother with "external" opinions\reviews.

Now you are here in sevenforums so please lets co-op to find a solution to your problem.

I am trying to help you.

Remove Mcafee from your system.

Download and install Microsoft Security Essentials

Windows 7 has firewall so keep it enable.

Follow this instructions Good and Free system security combination.
including the "enable the Router firewall" part.

None\nothing in the world can protect you 100%.

You can protect 90% yourself\system by avoiding "bad" places and bad system usage.

silentsal · Mar 3, 2012

Thanks for explaining - it's good to know exactly what happened

I'll trust you and do as you suggest, but I need help with making sure my router firewall is enabled. It's a Billion BiPAC 7800N and the user manual is dreadful. Do I need to turn on "Intrusion Detection" for the firewall to be on? It's not obvious

Thanks

Sally

panais · Mar 3, 2012

Dont enable Intrusion Detection System (IDS).

Keep IDS off.

Just enable the firewall.

Read aaaallll this Good and Free system security combination.

The first lines that i have there are,

Starting from "outside" enable the Router firewall.
Go to...Start\Control Panel\Network and Sharing Center,click the House/Home Icon first to be able to see the router icon,right click on the router icon and click View device webpage,find the firewall\configure,select standard,Apply and exit.

Another way to get there is by typing the router IP address in your web browser.

To find your router ip,click start,accessories,click on Command Prompt,write in Command Prompt "ipconfig" without the quotes and press enter (View attachment D).

silentsal · Mar 3, 2012

I understand how to get to the control panel, but the firewall options aren't easy to understand. As far as I can tell the firewall is off until you enable specific rules yourself. See the attached image for the main page I get when I select Firewall.

These are the advanced settings. Basic settings give no firewall options at all...

Sally

writhziden · Mar 3, 2012

I can read through your manual and figure it out, but you might get instant or at least faster help if you start a new thread in Network & Sharing - Windows 7 Forums since the experts in there have far more experience with these configurations.

silentsal · Mar 3, 2012

I have started another thread as suggested. Thanks

writhziden · Mar 3, 2012

You're welcome. Best of luck.

Let us know if you need us to help you with the router if you do not get the help you need in that forum. I'd be surprised if you do not get help, though.

panais · Mar 3, 2012

Though please post again here in 1-2 days with results\news about the bsod issue.

silentsal · Mar 5, 2012

I've now removed McAfee, used ccleaner to clean up the registry and installed Malwarebytes. Already had WOT. I've also installed a trial version of Norton Internet Security.

The other forum just told me to enable Windows firewall rather than helping me enable the BiPAC firewall, but got help from the Billion forum for that. Just need to enable WAN Ping Block and Intrusion Detection.

It's probably a bit too early to tell whether the problem is now cured, since it was quite intermittent in the first place, but so far so good.

Plus Norton doesn't seem to be the resource hog that McAfee was so my computer seems to be running faster. I will update you further in a few days

Thanks for the help

Sally

panais · Mar 6, 2012

To take a second opinion is not a bad thing,though "traveling" between forums and receiving many and different opinions sometimes doesn't help but confuse

I just want to inform you that i found also few bsod including symantec\norton.

Of course you are free to download\try\buy and use anything you like.

But i wonder why you avoid the free stable and 100% compatible with windows 7 MSE?

Well,in any any case,please remember to post back with results\news.

silentsal · Mar 6, 2012

Thanks for your reply. I only consulted a couple of forums for how to enable to firewall on my Billion router when I didn't get an answer here

I did try the Seven Forums networking section first (as suggested by another poster), but since the Billion BiPAC router is not a popular router it was hard to find an answer

Thanks for pointing out the BSOD issue with Norton. I saw that problem too, but IMHO I suspect the problem comes from a bad install / uninstall. McAfee had worked happily on my laptop for months until I foolishly let a McAfee technician uninstall / reinstall it for me (due to it using all my CPU). Had I done it myself I would have made sure I rebooted in between each stage and I think him not doing that caused the issue.

The CPU issue is the main reason I have uninstalled McAfee since the BSOD may well have been fixed by uninstalling it properly and doing a fresh install

Whilst I take your point about Windows 7 MSE, I have chosen Norton simply because it is the industry leader and MSE lacks some of Norton's features

If Norton gives me issues than I may well give MSE a try

I'll keep you updated with my results

Sally

panais · Mar 6, 2012

Ok then

Finish with everything,work\play as usual,give it time 1-2 days and post back as always with results\news.

And of course you are always welcome to ask for help\advice.

writhziden · Mar 6, 2012

When you uninstalled McAfee, did you use the MCPR utility afterward? Did the technician? Not doing so can also lead to bad remnants of the software on the machine causing conflicts.

How to uninstall or reinstall supported McAfee products using the McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool (MCPR.exe)

silentsal · Mar 6, 2012

Yes, I did use MCPR and so did the technician. What he failed to do was reboot after each step of the process and I think this ultimately led to the BSOD problem. Thanks for pointing it out though

I will never allow a technician take control of my computer like that again! It's not worth the hassle. I'm perfectly capable of handling it myself

panais · Mar 6, 2012

silentsal said:
Yes, I did use MCPR and so did the technician. What he failed to do was reboot after each step of the process and I think this ultimately led to the BSOD problem. Thanks for pointing it out though

I will never allow a technician take control of my computer like that again! It's not worth the hassle. I'm perfectly capable of handling it myself

ts ts ts...technicians these days.....

BSOD on restart, boot and during Skype video call

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