BSOD in Windows 7

[Anduril]

It's on my fathers laptop, a Toshiba. It started appearing after I tried to install a keygen program for educational purposes. I have run Malwarebytes anti-malware program as well as a registry cleaner.

Nothing is found when these are run. It runs fine in safe mode, but the BSOD pops up when using windows normally. It usually seems to happen when using IE explorer.

Btw, it is a driver irql_not_less_or_equal error. I'm at my wits end!

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

Could you perhaps use Windows System Restore to revert the system to a previous state that is known to be stable?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/system-restore

 

[JarodRussell]

It's on my fathers laptop, a Toshiba. It started appearing after I tried to install a keygen program for educational purposes. I have run Malwarebytes anti-malware program as well as a registry cleaner.

Nothing is found when these are run. It runs fine in safe mode, but the BSOD pops up when using windows normally. It usually seems to happen when using IE explorer.

Btw, it is a driver irql_not_less_or_equal error. I'm at my wits end!

So you ruined your father's laptop by running a keygen? Awesome.

It usually seems to happen when using IE explorer.

Re-install.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Go back to a restore point or reinstall Windows. Without knowing what keygen it was (and no, I don't want you to post anything more about it here) it is impossible to know what it did to your system.

It sounds like it inserted itself into a hardware driver (possibly the network driver, given that you only crash when using IE) for the purposes of sniffing your Internet activities. But there's no way to be sure without examining the original keygen in more detail, and I'm afraid you're not gonna get that here as it is rather against the rules.

Also, "educational purposes." Good one.

 

[Anduril]

I did try system restore to no avail. I suspected it was a driver issue but couldn't narrow it down to where it might be.

How do I find the dump file that is created when the BSOD pops up?

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Follow the instructions here: http://windows7themes.net/how-to-open-dmp-files-in-windows-7.html

 

[clint g]

When in doubt, format. Back up your data if possible and reformat your computer

 

[Anduril]

Robert,

Can this procedure be run in safe mode?

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I'm not sure. You'll have to install the required software first, in any case. After that, you can try actually using it in safe mode.

 

[Shurik]

If the restore thing doesn't work, just format and reinstall the system. It doesn't take much time or effort these days. Just make sure you backup everything you need. Save the backup of the freshly installed system after you finish installing all the necessary programs.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I wouldn't recommend formatting unless Rothschild has a full install disc for Win7.

Don't most pre-installed systems only come with a system restore disc?

As it is, a repair installation fixes many problems a system restore will not. I've done this a couple times with my full Win7 disc and it's a lot quicker than a reformat & full reinstall.

 

[Anduril]

The formatting and re-installing really isn't an option as the laptop came preloaded with Windows 7 and didn't come with any additional discs.

 

[clint g]

theres usually a button you can press to restore the system to factory settings. I believe its f12 on alot of computers. Check the boot screen and see if it mentions something like that. If not, google the name of your computer and see if there is a function like that.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

How to fix blue screen of death after a system restore attempt?

Note these comments: "According to WOT (Web of Trust) most of the keygens are infected with trojans, which might explain the BSODs.
...
If it does work, slap your brother for not doing research on that site before downloading something from it.
...
By the way, the things they offer are also illegal. "

It would probably be safer to run dodgy programs in a virtual machine environment. However, it's easier to just buy a valid software license and save any potential bother.

 

[Anduril]

Ataport.sys. Whats that mean? Its in the BSOD

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I don't know what it is, other than one of many files run during startup.

Might be the one causing the problem.

 

[Anduril]

If I was at home, I would just format the mofo and install XP on it and be done with it. It's running 7, so I know it can handle XP.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Y'know, I loved XP. So much so I never considered Vista, even though I figure I could've made it work well enough. I've had 7 since it came out (and even a little before that) and I wouldn't go back.

Lack of MS support now for XP would make it vulnerable.

 

[Anduril]

Ah yes, XP and 2000 Professional. Those were the days...

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Yep, I had 2000 for quite a while before XP.

Luckily I never tried 2000's mutant brother Me. I might've sworn off Windows for good if I had.

Can you contact whoever you bought the computer from and see if they can provide a rescue/repair disc? From what I know (very little) about pre-loaded machines, they usually come with a repair disc.