07 September 2007, 15:44

Avira update causes blue screens

Some systems have been subject to blue screens since installing an update recently distributed by Avira for core components in the firm's antivirus software. The cause of the problem has been found, and on request, the vendor is providing a hot fix which will also be distributed via automatic update in the course of the day.

According to Avira's Thomas Salomon, the problem can occur if a computer has an Nvidia chipset and Nforce drivers from July or later. On Windows XP and Vista, the computer may then crash with a blue screen if Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is activated. According to Avira's support forum, the only interim solution was to uninstall the anti-root kit module in safe mode.

Salomon says that the problem did not occur with (older) Microsoft drivers. Therefore, affected users could activate older drivers under the device manager in safe mode, for instance. Users should then make sure they get the hot fix or install the update once it becomes available. The new chipset drivers should then no longer cause any trouble.