Unable to use virus scan

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Some context first:
Recently been getting a BSOD whenever I start up my pc. At first the error message was:
“driver_irql_less_or_not_equal”
Upon rebooting my pc it automatically booted in low-res mode, whereupon I updated/replaced my graphics driver hoping that would fix the problem. Afterwards I tried rebooting my pc only to get this error:
“attempt to reset the display driver and recover from timeout failed”
No matter how many times I reboot it will always default to this message, only way to avoid it is to start in safe mode.

I then attempted to use avast virus scan to try and see if there’s some malware I’ve overlooked recently, however when I arrange a boot-time scan it will not start the scan as soon as the PC starts up (which is how it usually worked in the past for me) but instead it’ll skip straight to booting my pc normally where I get the same BSOD with the error “attempt to reset the display driver and recover from timeout failed.”

I then attempted to use quick scan/full system scan/select folder to scan/etc. However they all give the error: “unable to start scan. there are no more endpoints available from the endpoint mapper”

I’m pretty confused since I was able to use my virus scanner beforehand in situations like this from safemode.

Another minor point that may or may not be of interest: After I was able to start my pc up in safe mode after the 2nd BSOD, I noticed that avast was not present/running on my PC. I couldn’t find it anywhere, so I newly reinstalled it just now after dling a fresh copy from the site. In fact, even after installing avast, I am unable to run the shields for avast. The program alerts me with a message - “YOU ARE UNPROTECTED” where it offers me the option to “Start now” and “Resolve all” - neither of which work upon clicking. I’m not sure if this is because I’m in safe mode or some other issue.

I don’t know if this is enough information but I’m stumped. I shared everything I could think of but if there’s something else that needs to be known to resolve this issue please let me know. If anyone could help me with this problem it would be great.

2

avast doesn’t work in safe mode.
That means you can’t run a boot-time scan or any other scan.

Do you have onboard graphics or a card ?
Is the date/time in bios still correct ?
Is the primary graphic device still set correctly in the bios ?

3

“Is the primary graphic device still set correctly in the bios”
I’m not sure how I should check this, could you elaborate?

I use a card
I will go check the time, it should be correct.

Edit: The date is correct, time is off by 3 minutes. As in 3 minutes in the past.

4

Ok, let’s start with a basic thing.
Take out the card.
Clean the contacts and put it back in.
If Windows again says to “attempt to reset the display driver”, visit the manufacturers website of the card.
Download the latest drivers for the card/os you are using and (try to) install them.
Reboot after doing so.
Let’s see what happens.

5

I’ll try that as soon as I can get my pc to boot. I tried using another compatible gpu to boot my pc and it worked fine. However my peripherals shut down (mouse and kb unresponsive, though still powwered) so I rebooted but it won’t boot properly anymore, neither with my old or new card. The pc will power on then power off and power on again and stay on with no bios beeps or booting.

Also I believe I already updated my graphics driver to latest version upon my first bsod

6

The not working mouse and keyboard is likely a driver conflict.
Many times booting in safe-mode and then in normal mode is solving it.
Both modes are using different drivers meaning Windows will kinda “reset” the drivers.

Since you where able to boot with another gpu (although just once) indicates a software problem (likely drivers conflict or messed up registry).