Re: Help please! Stop Error

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

nybarton wrote:
I'm running WinXP, SP2. I recently downloaded and installed McAfee
Security Suite which is offered free by my ISP (Comcast). For years
prior, I used Norton AV and never had a problem with it. Since my
NAV subscription was running out, I went with McAfee. I removed NAV
completely using the Norton Removal Tool, downloaded and installed
the McAfee Security Suite. There are no incompatible programs running
that would interfere with McAfee Virus Scan. The McAfee protection
status is fine, but the scan feature has the following problem which
the McAfee techs have been unable to resolve. They said Microsoft has
a solution for this problem and told me to contact Microsoft.



The problem:

When running a complete scan of my system using McAfee Virus Scan,
the scan proceeds uninterrupted until it reaches a point somewhere
around the 110,000 file mark. That's when Windows abruptly shuts down
and I get the following screen:



"A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent
damage to your computer.

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

Tech Information

***STOP: Ox00000050 (OxFFFFDFF8, Ox00000000, Ox80550211, Ox00000000)"



Before posting here, I went to the Microsoft Knowledge Base and
pulled up the following article:



KB Article 903251 - The HaxDoor virus may cause a "STOP 0x00000050"
or "STOP 0x0000008e" error message



May I add one more piece of info. When bypassing the program scan and
running the McAfee Free Online Scan (which checks all files for
viruses only, but not for spyware or malware which the program does
check), there is no interruption and the scan completes with no virus
detection.



I need help! I'm not very computer savvy...I'm afraid to fool with
the Registry. Can someone tell me what they think may be the problem
here and if there's a workaround to the problem. Do you think it's
this HaxDoor virus and is there some way I can tell if it's in my
system?

This is some thread!

It's taken many turns, but I've found that most often the simplest
explanation is the correct one.

You need to lose McAfee.

Their techs told you Microsoft has the solution, and they're correct.
Here is the solution:

(frm http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=183169&sd=RMVP )

"Disable any anti-virus software that is running on your computer. If
the STOP errors no longer occur, contact the anti-virus software
manufacturer about a possible upgrade."

As you have learned, McAfee and Norton/Symantec are often much more
trouble than they're worth. There are far better antivirus programs,
many of them free. Have a look at:

Paid versions which are highly recommended include NOD32:

http://www.eset.com/products/windows.php

.... and Kaspersky:

http://usa.kaspersky.com/products_services/HomeProducts.php

Actually, you can download a free (for a year) version of Kaspersky
(it's AOL's branded version, but it has the same engine):

http://www.activevirusshield.com/

The following antivirus programs are all free and have *many* fans:

AVG (this is what I use)
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/

avast!
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

AntiVir
http://www.free-av.com/

I noticed elsewhere that you had used AdwareAlert, which I personally
wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole. It was once considered a rogue
program. See:

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#adw-alert_note

Of course, the name is deceptively similar to Ad-Aware, which is
actually a good program!

For spyware, it's rare that one program catches everything. I recommend
a combination of the following, which are all free:

Ad-Aware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

Spybot Search & Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

SpywareBlaster
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

These may be helpful down the road *just in case* the above three miss
something:

A-Squared
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

CWShredder
http://us.trendmicro.com/us/products/personal/CWShredder/

I've also heard good things about SUPERAntiSpyware (although I haven't
used it):

http://www.superantispyware.com/

I know this post contains lots of info. I'll distill it down to the bare
minimum:

1. Disable (and eventually uninstall) McAfee.
2. Use AVG (or another) antivirus.
3. Run at least these two anti-spyware apps:
a. Ad-Aware
b. Spybot Search & Destroy

Hope this helps!

--
Dave


.

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