BSoD related to iaStor.sys

Hi,

I have a HP G56 which started BSoDing a week ago. The BlueScreen report flashes up for a few seconds but then the crash dump it makes is done so it reboots before you get to read most of the message. I can successfully boot up the PC in all three versions of Safe Mode and not get a BSoD, however. I have tried RegCure but now I realise that was a bit of a mistake. Apparently it's made for earlier versions of Windows. From what I gather from the BSoD, iaStor.sys seems to be the problem. This file seems to also have a bit of history on forums and help site around the web. Does anyone have any idea about what I can do? I have done system restore to about a week before any trouble and nothing happens. I'm thinking about backing up to my friends external hard-drive and re-installing... Any better ideas.

Thanks.

iaStor.sys belongs to the storage drivers for the controller on the motherboard.
BUT, it also rears it's ugly head in a BSOD if you are infected with some variants of the TDSS rootkit.
There are other, less likely causes, but these are the 2 most common.

Try this free tool to see if you are infected with TDSS: http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/solutions?qid=208280684 (it'll run in Safe Mode). If you are, and it still doesn't boot, you're in for some gyrations to get it to work (running multiple virus removal tools and multiple commands with bootrec and Startup Repair - that work in most (but not all) cases.

See if you can update the Storage drivers in Safe Mode (some installers will allow this) - and try the storage drivers from http://downloadcenter.intel.com to make sure you get the most current version.

We can troubleshoot this further, but if it's the rootkit you're best off with wiping the hard drive and reinstalling Windows.

To do this it's essential that you:
- backup your stuff (and scan it with an antivirus)
- find the restore disks for your system (not the restore partition on the hard drive)
- wipe the drive (to include all freespace) with either DBAN or KillDisk (both are free with a Google search)
- install Windows.

Thanks for replying. Firstly, I don't have a disk to reinstall, only a Recovery Partition with Windows reinstaller on it. If I go into Control Panel, I could easily reinstall with a few clicks and some waiting, I'm just waiting to borrow a hard-drive from my friend. Secondly, I've scanned with AVG, or with as much of it as possible in Safe Mode, and that got nothing malicious. I was thinking about downloading Microsoft Security Essentials on the laptop I'm posting from and then transferring it with a pendrive like I did with RegCure, which claimed would solve the problem. And thirdly, as far as I know, I have all the latest drivers from Intel, but I'll take a look at the links you posted. Thanks again.

BTW, would the storage driver be a Serial ATA Controller?

YAY!!! The Kaspersky thing worked a treat, fixed the problem, and up and running more than ever. Back posting from my proper laptop! Amazing. Thanks so much! And I rarely triple exclamation mark.

Glad to hear it! Run several other scans (free online scans here: Free Online AntiMalware Scanners (read the details at the link)) to make sure that you've removed everything nasty.

The TDSS rootkit is a very nasty little bugger - so you'll want to make sure that your system is thoroughly scanned for any remnants (it even hides in the free space and MBR of your drive).

Ok.. I'll do that. I also switched AV from AVG to Microsoft Security Essential but I think it's slowing me down...