G74sx BSOD, related to network adapter?

[Hideaki]

Lately I've had a number of BSODs with my g74sx saying "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" and mentioning "ndis.sys".

I've looked around a bit and it seems this might be related to network card drivers - but I'm currently using the ones supplied with the machine and can't find any newer ones that are recognized as installable. There seems to be a slight correlation with using Trillian as most crashes happen while it's running. I'm using the card it came with, the Atheros AR9002WB-1NG, driver version 9.0.0.222. Relevant software might be Agnitum Firewall Pro.

Any ideas? Am I completely off thinking it's a network-related issue?

[JRd1st]

There's a newer driver in Chastity's thread - http://www.asusrog.com/forums/showthread.php?1150-G73-74-53-Series-Driver-and-Application-Reference

And if you feel like exploring a bit, there are even newer drivers on StationDrivers - http://www.station-drivers.com/page/atheros.htm. (near the bottom, right column)

[dstrakele]

STOP 0XA's are very generic. Typically, they result from an incompatibility between 2 kernel mode filter drivers. NDIS.SYS could be the victim rather than the cause. Do you have any other Warnings or Errors in your System or Application Event Logs besides the System Event referencing the BSOD?

What Antivirus software is on your system? Certain 3rd party backup products can also use filter drivers. Your Agnitum Firewall may also be a suspect.

What Browser are you using?

[Hideaki]

Tried installing a new driver before, but couldn't get it to accept it. The even newer ones from StationDrivers worked now :).

I can't find anything in the event logs correlating to the times of the crashes except the notices that the system was rebooted without clean shutdown.

I'm using Avira AntiVir Personal and Firefox.

[JRd1st]

It's probably not firefox. If it happens again disable that firewall. I used to get that same error a long time ago and it was caused by a firewall. If disabling the firewall doesn't fix it then disable that Avira. Go by process of elimination. 😉

[dstrakele]

In order to effectively disable the Avira AntiVir, disable the Avira Service(s) and reboot the system. If you fail to reboot, it is likely the Avira filter driver will remain loaded and affect your results. Do the same when eliminating the Agritum firewall. If there is a conflict between the drivers of these applications, eliminating either will resolve the issue.

Alternatively, if eliminating either resolves the BSOD issue, you could open a case with Avira or Agritum and provide them with a Complete Memory Dump (not a mini-dump) to allow them to troubleshoot the issue.

http://forum.avira.com/wbb/index.php?page=Thread&postID=952500 discusses a BSOD with Avira and Agritum running on a system. It indicates the Avria product also comes with a firewall. Make sure you don't have both firewalls enabled.