endless Blue Screen of Death started with aswSP.sys

[ChrisCP]

I've got my laptop (WinXP Home) stuck in an endless blue screen that started with one saying there was a problem with that aswSP.sys file (that was on or right after Thanksgiving). I didn't realize at the time that it was an Avast file, though I do recall noting before all my problems began that Avast had been disabled somehow and I had been planning to reboot and try and get it running again. But now I've got nothing but blue screens and I *can't get into Windows at all* (am on a borrowed computer at the moment), so from what I can tell, "minidumps" are not an option for me. When I try to boot into safe mode, I get a blue screen that says there's a page fault in an nonpaged area or something along those lines. Trying to start any other way just produces a generic blue screen that tells me to check hardware, software, disk space, blah, blah, blah, with those mysterious Microsoft codes that even their knowledgebase can't seem to decipher.

At the very least, I need a way to access my data (browser bookmarks, passwords in my password program, photos and videos that I hadn't backed up yet) and, if necessary, format the drive and reinstall Windows.

I've googled and googled and nothing I've come across has worked. Can anyone here help me?

[scythe944]

If you have the means to do so, you could pull the hard drive out and put it into another system to do a scan.

Or, you could try booting from a windows xp home disc, and try running a repair on the operating system.

I saw this, but it's from last year, can't possibly think that it could help, but you don't say what version of Avast you were running, or where you got it from, or if it was up to date or not, so who knows. http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=37520.0

[ChrisCP]

I'm running Avast4, which I downloaded from avast.com quite a while back. I've tried the repair console, but I don't know enough about what's continuing to cause the problem to fix it. I actually did try that fix to see if it would change anything, but it had no effect. It's beginning to look like I'm going to have to crack open my computer and remove the drive but I'm not sure how I'd hook it up to another system to check it. Other than my non-functioning laptop I've got a desktop running Windows ME.

[scythe944]

I use a USB adapter for jobs such as this.  Plug the drive into the adapter, plug the USB cable into a working computer, and presto! you have access to the drive.

Of course, that doesn't help when you don't have one.

As for the "repair console" I assume you were trying the "recovery console", right?  I meant an actual repair of the operating system.

Boot with the CD, and act as if you were going to install Windows again.  Right before you do so, it should give the option to repair windows.  It will look like it's installing, but it just goes through the system, deletes all windows files (no, not your files, they'll be intact, including programs) and re-installs.

I don't know if it's going to work though, as I said, it only replaces windows files.  So if it's Avast's files that are really causing the problem, I don't know if it will help.

Hopefully someone else can chime in with some words of wisdom.

[essexboy]

If you just want to remove your data and then reformat you could use a live disc either a Linux variant or Windows PE

[scythe944]

Or that. Ubuntu works well: http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/download

Burn to a CD using a working computer, pop cd into non-working computer's drive, boot from CD, run the live version.

It loads slowly, but you'll have access to the system to copy the files elsewhere.

[bobo1]

Can you access safe mode by hitting F8 & remove avast and try a normal boot? & re install avast

[bobo1]

Mis read post. You will either need xp cd rom to repair system files  by installing on top of windows repair function. Or test hard drive externally via usb adaptor on another computer to test all files etc & save off all important data, easy way out just reformat and start again!

[ChrisCP]

Thank you for the suggestions. Where would a get a USB adapter to try this?

You're correct, I was trying the console. I hadn't tried the repair you described. I'll have to keep that in mind. Also will keep Ubuntu in mind. I may have already downloaded and burned that sometime back.

[scythe944]

Pardon the late response...

Here is one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812156102&cm_re=usb_drive_adapter-_-12-156-102-_-Product

Or you can find others on www.newegg.com or just about anyplace that sells computer equipment.  Of course, online will probably be the best price.

[ChrisCP]

Just wanted to post a Thank You for helping me with my problem. I've finally got my laptop back up and running (posting this from it) after managing to get my hands on a USB external hard drive case--took out the drive that was in it, plugged my drive into it and backed up all my data to another computer and then burned to CDs and DVDs--and then running Windows Setup and having it repair itself. My laptop lives again. No blue screens so far. Will have to download Avast and try a new installation (crossing my fingers as I go) and see what happens.

Also, thanks for the link. I might have to get something like that to keep around 'cause I doubt this'll be the last time I need to go through this mess.

Again, thank you.

Pardon the late response...

Here is one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812156102&cm_re=usb_drive_adapter-_-12-156-102-_-Product

Or you can find others on www.newegg.com or just about anyplace that sells computer equipment.  Of course, online will probably be the best price.

[scythe944]

Awesome, glad to hear.

Yes, the usb drive adapters have been a Godsend to me, and helped me out of many jams before.

Definitely a good tool to have in the PC repair box!

Good luck with everything, and come back anytime.