I can't follow the instructions of this forum because I literally can't boot my computer without Windows spitting out errors, and therefore can't run any debugging software. Some error messages I receive: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (WNDA3100.sys or something like that), and INTERRUPT_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED. I get the latter error message which is why I can't boot. I can't remember if my system crashed before I ran windows updates, but after I did this happened multiple times before it just stopped booting entirely. I tried safe mode but it wouldn't do anything but show a logo. The driver for my internet adapter, WNDA3100v1, wasn't compatible with Windows 8.1, so I got a community-made driver... I believe I got it from here: https://matthieu.yiptong.ca/2010/05/25/netgear-wnda3100v1-driver-only/ Please help; so far, I haven't had a good experience with Windows 8 (it was awful during installation too) but I hope I can.
Remove the wireless USB adapter and it's drivers (if possible) - they are known to cause BSOD's on some Windows systems, especially with outdated drivers.
After removing it, test the system without the external wireless USB network device or it's drivers.
Does it still BSOD? If so, what drivers are blamed now?
Pretty sure that it has one, but haven't checked inside the case!
Memory
upgraded to 12 gB from 8 gB
Graphics Card(s)
has switchable - Intel/ATI - Used wrong drivers, now ATI card is inop :( Will have to fix it soon!
Sound Card
I'm nearly deaf, so this isn't used often
Monitor(s) Displays
Touchscreen on laptop/32" Toshiba on HDMI (laid the Sharp TV on a mouse and cracked the screen!)
Screen Resolution
800x600
Hard Drives
One Samsung 1tB drive - 5400 rpm. Gonna switch to a 7200/10000 rpm or an SSD (if I can find $500 for a 1tB SSD!)
- Switched to 500 gB Samsung 840 series SSD - WOW!!!
PSU
Why do we ask this for laptops?
Case
Silver with a neat Samsung logo
Cooling
sub-par, gotta get around to working on it soon Worked on it - still sub-par! :(
Keyboard
Microsoft Natural - the same one I've used since it orignally came out around 1995
Mouse
no Mouse - Trackball!!!!
Internet Speed
too slow when I'm waiting for a download to finish
Windows 8 seems to not want to crash but it crashed once today. Luckily it booted up properly right after that. RAM has no problems and I've yet to do other diagnostics. Thanks for your help. I'll update this thread if I have more problems
