BSOD problem :(

I've got a laptop problem and any guidence would be great ;)

Friend gave me a HP laptop that loads into XP, and after a few seconds it crashes to the BSOD... with a driver_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

and down the bottom **** netpt.sys Adress etc etc

Initially windows wouldnt load at all, so I re-installed and now I can load via safe mode fine.

I've done one spyware scan, as well as uninstall some stuff. I also unchecked all the things in startup under msconfig. Still no luck.

Im going to do a virus scan now.

Any ideas? I'd like to try and repair it without reformatting completly.

That's what I thought.. or a driver conflict...

But i think S&D fixed it (I bolded the suspect entry):

16.02.2006 09:32:56 - found: FunWebProducts Class ID

16.02.2006 09:32:56 - found: FunWebProducts Program directory

16.02.2006 09:32:59 - found: ISearchTech.PowerScan Settings

16.02.2006 09:32:59 - found: ISearchTech.PowerScan Executable

16.02.2006 09:32:59 - found: ISearchTech.SideFind Settings

16.02.2006 09:33:00 - found: ISearchTech.SideFind Link

16.02.2006 09:33:00 - found: ISearchTech.SideFind Link

16.02.2006 09:33:00 - found: ISearchTech.SideFind Link

16.02.2006 09:33:00 - found: ISearchTech.SideFind Link

16.02.2006 09:33:00 - found: ISearchTech.SideFind Settings

16.02.2006 09:33:05 - found: RegistryOptimizer Settings

16.02.2006 09:33:25 - found: DyFuCA Interface

16.02.2006 09:33:25 - found: DyFuCA Interface

16.02.2006 09:33:25 - found: DyFuCA Settings

16.02.2006 09:33:26 - found: DyFuCA.InternetOptimizer Executable

16.02.2006 09:33:26 - found: DyFuCA.InternetOptimizer Data

16.02.2006 09:33:26 - found: DyFuCA.InternetOptimizer Settings

16.02.2006 09:33:35 - found: ISearchTech.ISTDownloader Executable

16.02.2006 09:33:36 - found: ISearchTech.ISTsvc_Updater Text file

16.02.2006 09:33:36 - found: ISearchTech.YSB Module usage

16.02.2006 09:33:36 - found: ISearchTech.YSB Shared DLL 1 apps

16.02.2006 09:33:36 - found: ISearchTech.YSB System file

16.02.2006 09:33:36 - found: ISearchTech.YSB Program directory

16.02.2006 09:33:36 - found: ISearchTech.YSB Root class

16.02.2006 09:33:36 - found: ISearchTech.YSB Class ID

16.02.2006 09:33:40 - found: Smitfraud-C. System file

16.02.2006 09:33:43 - found: Smitfraud-C. Temporary file

16.02.2006 09:33:52 - found: SurfAccuracy Program directory

16.02.2006 09:33:55 - found: WinFixer Library

16.02.2006 09:33:55 - found: WinFixer Program directory

16.02.2006 09:33:55 - found: WinFixer Library

16.02.2006 09:33:55 - found: WinFixer2005 Program directory

16.02.2006 09:33:55 - found: WinFixer2005 Executable

16.02.2006 09:33:58 - found: MyWay.MyWebSearch Type library

16.02.2006 09:33:58 - found: MyWay.MyWebSearch Type library

16.02.2006 09:33:58 - found: MyWay.MyWebSearch Type library

16.02.2006 09:33:58 - found: MyWay.MyWebSearch Settings

16.02.2006 09:33:58 - found: MyWay.MyWebSearch Settings

16.02.2006 09:33:58 - found: MyWay.MyWebSearch Program directory

16.02.2006 09:33:58 - found: MyWay.MyWebSearch Library

16.02.2006 09:33:58 - found: MyWay.MyWebSearch Library

16.02.2006 09:33:58 - found: Registry Cleaner Settings

16.02.2006 09:33:58 - found: Registry Cleaner Program directory

16.02.2006 09:33:59 - found: Registry Cleaner Executable

16.02.2006 09:33:59 - found: Registry Cleaner User settings

16.02.2006 09:33:59 - found: Registry Cleaner Program directory

16.02.2006 09:34:01 - found: Windows Security Center.SP2Update Settings

16.02.2006 09:34:01 - found: Windows Security Center.AntiVirusOverride Settings

16.02.2006 09:34:01 - found: Windows Security Center.FirewallOverride Settings

16.02.2006 09:34:01 - found: Windows Security Center.FirewallDisableNotify Settings

16.02.2006 09:34:01 - found: Windows Security Center.AntiVirusDisableNotify Settings

16.02.2006 09:34:01 - found: Windows Security Center.UpdateDisableNotify Settings

16.02.2006 09:34:07 - found: Alexa Related Link

16.02.2006 09:34:37 - found: FunWeb Interface

16.02.2006 09:34:37 - found: FunWeb Interface

16.02.2006 09:34:37 - found: FunWeb Settings

16.02.2006 09:34:53 - found: Huntbar Settings

16.02.2006 09:34:54 - found: Huntbar.Web Search Class ID

16.02.2006 09:35:10 - found: Elitum.EliteBar Class ID

16.02.2006 09:35:10 - found: Elitum.EliteBar Class ID

16.02.2006 09:35:10 - found: ErrorGuard Class ID

16.02.2006 09:35:10 - found: ErrorGuard Interface

16.02.2006 09:35:10 - found: ErrorGuard Type library

16.02.2006 09:35:10 - found: ErrorGuard Settings

16.02.2006 09:35:10 - found: ErrorGuard Code storage database

16.02.2006 09:35:10 - found: ErrorGuard Root class

16.02.2006 09:35:10 - found: ErrorGuard Root class

16.02.2006 09:35:10 - found: ErrorGuard Class ID

16.02.2006 09:35:11 - found: ErrorGuard Program directory

16.02.2006 09:35:11 - found: ErrorGuard Executable

16.02.2006 09:35:11 - found: ErrorGuard Library

16.02.2006 09:35:11 - found: ErrorGuard Configuration file

16.02.2006 09:35:15 - found: MyWebSearch Class ID

16.02.2006 09:35:15 - found: MyWebSearch Interface

16.02.2006 09:35:15 - found: MyWebSearch Interface

16.02.2006 09:35:15 - found: MyWebSearch Interface

16.02.2006 09:35:15 - found: MyWebSearch Type library

16.02.2006 09:35:24 - found: Winsoftware.Common Class ID

16.02.2006 09:35:24 - found: Winsoftware.Common Settings

16.02.2006 09:35:24 - found: Winsoftware.Common User settings

16.02.2006 09:35:24 - found: Winsoftware.Common Program directory

16.02.2006 09:35:24 - found: Winsoftware.WinAntiSpyware2005 Application ID

16.02.2006 09:35:24 - found: Winsoftware.WinAntiSpyware2005 Application ID

16.02.2006 09:35:24 - found: Winsoftware.WinAntiSpyware2005 Root class

16.02.2006 09:35:24 - found: Winsoftware.WinAntiSpyware2005 Root class

16.02.2006 09:35:24 - found: Winsoftware.WinAntiSpyware2005 Class ID

16.02.2006 09:35:24 - found: Winsoftware.WinAntiSpyware2005 Type library

16.02.2006 09:35:51 - found: Winfixer Tracking cookie (Internet Explorer: Administrator)

16.02.2006 09:35:52 - found: WebTrends live Tracking cookie (Internet Explorer: Administrator)

16.02.2006 09:35:53 - found: WebTrends live Tracking cookie (Internet Explorer: Administrator)

16.02.2006 09:35:53 - found: ISearchTech.SideFind Tracking cookie (Internet Explorer: Administrator)

16.02.2006 09:35:54 - found: Winfixer Tracking cookie (Internet Explorer: Administrator)

i'd said reformat and start again.

no point fixing a pc that is riddled with spy ware.

best to start from scratch and protect it from spy ware.

Man that thing was/is riddled with spyware.

That netpt.sys could be a low level trojan or Just NetBIOS protection :unsure . If you can remove the HDD from the laptop and run a virus scan on it caddied to another machine, do it. If not, update your AV and run it in safe mode. Disable startup items that are shite. Make sure you setup spybot to scan correctly. ie; open spybot/Mode/Advanced button, go to Tools down the bottom left and place a tick in all fields. Update SB, then imunize, shut down spy bot and restart then scan. <---do in safe mode.

Download CleanUp from http://www.stevengould.org/downloads/cleanup/CleanUp40.exe and run it. Fantastic utility.

Install Firefox get rid of IE

See if that helps

Thanks for the tips.

I'll re-run spybot again once this scan finishes.

It's currently running a virus check with Avast! Running in windows it found about 4 trojans (love the soundbite "WWWOoooooOOOOO. warning, you have a virus!!"), plus one running in the OS. So it rebooted and is now scanning the HDD in (dos??) ie before the OS can load.

Already installed Firefox :D I've updated all the spyware progs to the current defs too.

Does having multiple cleaners on your PC matter? ie Adaware, spybot, CC cleaner? Just as long as you don't run them all at once ;)

Thanks for the tips.

I'll re-run spybot again once this scan finishes.

It's currently running a virus check with Avast! Running in windows it found about 4 trojans (love the soundbite "WWWOoooooOOOOO. warning, you have a virus!!"), plus one running in the OS. So it rebooted and is now scanning the HDD in (dos??) ie before the OS can load.

 

Already installed Firefox :D I've updated all the spyware progs to the current defs too.

 

Does having multiple cleaners on your PC matter? ie Adaware, spybot, CC cleaner? Just as long as you don't run them all at once ;)

It's fine to have mulitple cleaners. All you have mentioned are fine.

Thanks.

After using Avast! on this machine im gunna piss off Norton at home and use Avast!. It never loads the realtime protection properly anyway.

Thanks.

After using Avast! on this machine im gunna piss off Norton at home and use Avast!. It never loads the realtime protection properly anyway.

Let me make this clear:

NORTON IS THE WORST PRODUCT EVER. DON'T USE IT

Sorry? I don't understand? ;)

yeah, I know... hence the reason i'm switching!

I run Avast anti virus and Microsoft anti spy ware (use to run spybot).

My other computer I use AVG anti virus and MS anti spy ware.

Never had any problems.

I ocasionly run stinger, free download from McAfee and scan my systems but always come up clean, also run Spybot now and then, same thing all good...

And yes I still use Interent Exploder with Maxthon add-in

Let me make this clear:

 

NORTON IS THE WORST PRODUCT EVER. DON'T USE IT

Sorry I didnt hear that

I'm currently running Avast! anti-virus now, and was wondering if this is ok as a firewall too? I uninstalled ZoneAlarm, so should I get another replacement or is Avast ok?

First off Avast is only a Anti-Virus program and has no firewall features that I'm aware of.

You can use the windows built-in firewall but it only monitors incoming. If you need a better software firewall, may I suggest SUnbelt Kerio Personal Firewall. It's free and works even after the initial 30 day trial.

http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio-Download.cfm

Comparison table on what is disabled after 30 days:

http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm

I use this amongst other hardware solutions, works great.

The problem is you're using an operating system that is flawed. You can't "fix" something that is broken by fundemental design.

I recommend a new operating system. Conveniently, there are plenty that are free of cost, and come with plenty of free software to replace your entire commercial email, office, graphics and other desktop utliities:

http://www.ubuntu.com/

But it's your call. Continue to pay for software that's broken, or use free alternatives that cannot be infected and perform better.

lol.

Well it's for my home PC (not the one mentioned in the first post), and I won't be changing OS right now (unless I have a seperate box for just net surfing) mainly because of games, as well as my digital video workflow is all XP based eg premiere, AviSynth, CCE, DVD-Lab.

Not being ignorant or anything, but it's working fine atm, virus free etc and I just need a new firewall.

First off Avast is only a Anti-Virus program and has no firewall features that I'm aware of.

I thought that too, but it has popped up saying it has blocked a suchandsuch attack/eploit and gives an IP address.

oh well, I'll give SUnbelt Kerio a try.

The problem is you're using an operating system that is flawed. You can't "fix" something that is broken by fundemental design.

 

I recommend a new operating system. Conveniently, there are plenty that are free of cost, and come with plenty of free software to replace your entire commercial email, office, graphics and other desktop utliities:

 

http://www.ubuntu.com/

 

But it's your call. Continue to pay for software that's broken, or use free alternatives that cannot be infected and perform better.

I have to agree. But most use windows unfortunately

lol.

Well it's for my home PC (not the one mentioned in the first post), and I won't be changing OS right now (unless I have a seperate box for just net surfing) mainly because of games, as well as my digital video workflow is all XP based eg premiere, AviSynth, CCE, DVD-Lab.

Not being ignorant or anything, but it's working fine atm, virus free etc and I just need a new firewall.

There are free replacements for all the packages you have listed. You are in no way "forced" to stay with Windows (in fact, nobody should ever be forced to do anything by a corporate, especially when it comes to how they spend their money).

And if "working fine" for you means putting up with viruses and spyware, then that's your choice. But I say it again: if a toaster manufacturer released a toaster with as many dramas as the average Windows user has with Windows, that toaster manufacturer would be out of business overnight. Why we as humans constantly accept second-rate software is beyond me.

But most use windows unfortunately

People feel compelled to use Windows for often naive reasons like "software compatability". For a good 90% of modern desktop software I can easily recommend a free alternative. And for the other 10% I could probably recommend a cheaper non-free alternative. Your hands are not bound, and there's no reason you should feel that way.

There are free replacements for all the packages you have listed. You are in no way "forced" to stay with Windows (in fact, nobody should ever be forced to do anything by a corporate, especially when it comes to how they spend their money).

I know, I just choose to use XP ATM.

And if "working fine" for you means putting up with viruses and spyware, then that's your choice. But I say it again: if a toaster manufacturer released a toaster with as many dramas as the average Windows user has with Windows, that toaster manufacturer would be out of business overnight. Why we as humans constantly accept second-rate software is beyond me.

By 'working fine' I mean, it aint broke so im not gunna try and fix it. Especially after the many many hours i've spent reading and trialing different codecs/setups/configurations to get things the way I want it.

and I don't consider Premiere Pro, Photoshop, CCE etc etc to be second-rate software, as well as the many free programs.

and I don't consider Premiere Pro, Photoshop, CCE etc etc to be second-rate software, as well as the many free programs.

I didn't infer that they were. They are great pieces of software. However I whole heartedly recommend people run them on an Apple Mac, as Windows is far too risky even to the home user as a valid choice to base your home computing on.

I'll spell it out: the second-rate software is Windows. It is currently in my opinion the single worst operating system on the planet. There are dozens of alternatives, and all of them superior and safer for the end user to use.

Between the trojans, hickajers, password sniffers, bank account sniffers, viruses, worms and other nasties, there's no way in hell I trust a Windows PC for any sort of online interaction, or financial transactions. I have no desire to have any of my personal information stolen, and to ensure that doesn't happen I don't use untrusted operating systems or software.

Likewise, I don't run my business on software that is known to crash, blue screen, and become infected with software that randomly deletes information. If you can handle the idea of your business going belly up for a few days thanks to the software you use, then that's cool. For me as a contractor, it's life or death. I simply and literally can't afford to risk using Windows.