BSOD -Full Info Provided. irql_not_less_or_equal

Maddog12 · 13 Feb 2012

The file path to McAfee led me to a generic file. Mcafee isnt actually installed anymore but must have come with the system, leaving that generic brochure behind in the folder. I have installed AVG free 2012, ran scans and have now uninstalled norton.
I'll let you know if i still get bsods.

Using the avg scanner i managed to 'clean up' some files + lots of registry errors were detected, presumably from uninstalled programs?

Another point is that it said my computer graphics did not support the 'aero effects' for windows, however it clearly did, as when i turned them off there were changes to the user interface-just another computer graphics error to add to the list.

I am a UK customer, how would i go about getting recovery disks? There is an option to 'return your computer to the factory condition', should i do this or get the installation disks from acer- how would i go about doing this?

usasma · 13 Feb 2012

The "return your computer to the factory condition" is less sure than my way.
My way wipes the entire hard drive clean - and that will also remove the way to restore the computer to factory condition (but it also removes malware traces that aren't touched by a normal format).

This link says that you have to contact Customer Service to order Recovery discs in the UK: Recovery using CDs or DVDs Here's where the Customer Service link takes you: Contact us

Maddog12 · 13 Feb 2012

I have emailed in and will wait for a response before proceeding with re-installation.
Meanwhile I will just continue to use as normal, with avg installed to see if the problem is in Norton. As soon as i get another bsod, im wiping and clean installing!

Interestingly, looking at my Norton log before i uninstalled, it only lists one actual virus, dated from july 2011, but numerous intrusion attempts (high risk) and acces denied (medium risk)... is this a separate question for security forums or would you be able to comment on whether this is related to a damaged OS like you mentioned? What are the implications of these intrusion attempts?
Cheers

usasma · 13 Feb 2012

Oh boy, have you asked for it! :0) Now it's time for stories!

Story 1:
Back in 1991 I was in Gulf War I and using a Zenith laptop. The father of one of our soldiers sent us a floppy disk with a game on it.

As I was playing the game, my boss saw it and asked for a copy. I gave it to him, and then he shared it with others when he went to different meetings. Shortly after this, all the computers in the Gulf War crashed (due to a virus) and we had to wipe and reinstall the OS (no one had antivirus protection back then).

Once we returned from the war, I was visited by the Army's CID. Turns out that the game disk had the Joshi virus on it - and we had spread it throughout the Gulf War theater!

Story 2:
Since the time with the Joshi virus I have been very careful. I never click on anything that I'm uncertain of - and I'm prepared to pull the plug from the wall if anything untoward happens on my system.

That being said, I've had 2 pieces of malware on my computers since the Joshi virus episode. Neither of them infected my system. Both were downloaded, but were never opened/executed because of the cautions that I've taken.

Story 3:
I get "attacked" every 15-20 minutes by a barrage of different IP address' trying to access my network. I have setup my router so it blocks the majority of the attackers - and I've blocked anything to do with P2P. Not that I have anything against P2P itself - but because it attracts all sorts of unknown people to my system.

So, in short, if the virus infected your system - you can expect that it caused damage. If it didn't get on your system, then the attempt probably didn't affect the system.

I have a little anti-malware experience because I do it at work. But I don't have anywhere near the experience that the real malware fighters have - so trust in their judgement before you trust in mine.

Good luck!