DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL prevents WinXP reboot after Avast update

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I’m running free Avast on WinXPsp2 and so far it’s been great. On Thursday it prompted me to update to latest version and then reboot. My computer then failed to boot, the BSOD briefly appeared displaying a DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error, then it rebooted to the ‘choose your boot option’ screen which includes safe mode. Boot into safe mode evenutally worked, but repeated reboots, even with Avast service disabled, still failed in anything other than safe mode.

Finally I uninstalled Avast and the reboot in to normal mode succeeded.

I’m about to re-install Avast after installing latest XP patches, hopefully the problem won’t recur.

2

Update your XP to SP3, if you’re on 32bit.

3

Definitly update to XP SP3:

Please read:
Support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 ends on July 13, 2010
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifean31

4

List of fixes that are included in Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480

5

More fixes than you can shake a stick at. :wink:

6

Apologies, I’ve checked my event logger and I was in fact already running SP3 when the problem ocurred. The only updates that were missing are listed below. Do you think one of those may be a pre-requisite for the latest version of Avast?

I’ve reinstalled the version of Avast I was using before the problematic update (6.0.1091) and I’m currently trying to persuade it to update the virus definitions (gets stuck at ‘initializing, please wait’).

  • Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 SP1 on Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008 x86 (KB2572067)
  • Update Rollup for ActiveX Killbits for Windows XP (KB2562937)
  • Security Update for Windows XP (KB2566454)
  • Security Update for Internet Explorer 8 for Windows XP (KB2544521)
  • Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0 SP3 on Windows XP Tablet PC and Media Center (KB2572066)
  • Security Update for Windows XP (KB2570947)
  • Security Update for Windows XP (KB2535512)
  • Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 8 for Windows XP (KB2586448)
  • Security Update for Windows XP (KB2570222)
  • Security Update for Windows XP (KB2592799)
  • Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - November 2011 (KB890830)
  • Security Update for Windows XP (KB2536276)
  • Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 on Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP x86 (KB2572073)
  • Security Update for Windows XP (KB2564958)
  • Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 on W
7

Definitions have now updated, so all looking good.

8
  1. Follow instructions: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility
  2. Download & install: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_free.exe
9

npb, you can send me the latest minidump files (\Windows\minidump folder) to my email (kurtin@avast.com), I’d see why your system got those BSODs. Thanks.