Solved BSOD Unexpected Kernel Mode Tray+Qualcomm Atheros wireless

simrick

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Member
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102
Hi.
I am having constant BSODs recently on a Dell 660s desktop. Sometimes I can get a few web sites to load, before it crashes, sometimes it crashes when I try to open a browser. This happ[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]ens constantly, and for the past couple of days, [FONT=Segoe UI, Arial][FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]in both Firefox and IE[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]. I can have it on, and the wireless connected, and Teamviewer running; can log into the computer without crashes, but any browser activity seems to crash the system.[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]
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I ran WhoCrashed and these showed up:

[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]computer name: INSPIRON660S
windows version: Windows 8 , 6.2, build: 9200 64-bit
windows dir: C:\windows
Hardware: Inspiron 660s, Dell Inc., 0XFWHV
CPU: GenuineIntel Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-3220 CPU @ 3.30GHz Intel586, level: 6
4 logical processors, active mask: 15
RAM: 6307782656 total

Dell 1506 802.11[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]b/g/n 2.4GHz (I believe this is a Qualcomm Atheros CB42/CB43/MB42/MB43)[/FONT]

This was probably caused by the following module: [FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]ntoskrnl.exe[/FONT] (nt+0x5A440)
Bugcheck code: 0x7F (0x8, 0xFFFFF88000996CB0, 0xFFFFF880057A0F60, 0xFFFFF8010494945F)
Error: [FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP[/FONT]
file path: C:\windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe

This was probably caused by the following module: [FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]athw8x.sys[/FONT] (athw8x+0x1779)
Bugcheck code: 0x7F (0x8, 0xFFFFF88000996CB0, 0xFFFFF880057A0F60, 0xFFFFF8010494945F)
Error: [FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP[/FONT]
file path: C:\windows\system32\drivers\athw8x.sys
product: [FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]Driver for Qualcomm Atheros CB42/CB43/MB42/MB43 Network Adapter[/FONT]
company: [FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]Qualcomm Atheros Communications, Inc.[/FONT]
description: Qualcomm Atheros Extensible Wireless LAN device driver
Bug check description: This bug check indicates that the Intel CPU generated a trap and the kernel failed to catch this trap.


I have run sfc /scannow 4 times now, and each time I get a message that some files are corrupted and wind[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]ows was unable to fix them.

I don't understand this, as nothing has changed on the computer, except some win[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]do[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]ws updates which I installed today, hopi[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]ng that might fix the problem[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial], but it didn't. I also went onto the Dell support site and downloaded the latest version of the driver for the wireless card. It appears that the driver is the same (v. 10.0.0.67), but it's now A01 instead of A00, so I was hoping that would do it, but no luck.

I tried to install a later driver from the atheros.cz site, but it's not signed, and there[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]'[/FONT]s no *.inf file with it, so I can't get that one [FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]installed.
https://www.atheros.cz/atheros-wireless-download.php?chipset=107&system=8

[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]The only thing that has changed is this: I removed a R[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]osewill wireless-G router and replaced it with a D-Link DIR-826L. Could this somehow be the culpr[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]it? I put that D-Link router into use on Sunday, and turned on this particular computer yesterday - that's when it started. I also ha[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]ve[/FONT] a Compaq-Vista laptop with an Atheros wireless adapter, (different model), and that would not connect to the internet with new router in place (only local LAN). I had to grab a new driver from the atheros.cz site to get internet access (and it [FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]worked[/FONT]).
[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Segoe UI, Arial]DM Log Collector Tool zip file is attached.

Thanks very much for the help.
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W8.1 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C55T-A5394
    CPU
    i3
    Memory
    6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Browser
    FF
    Antivirus
    Defender
I'll add some additional troubleshooting info: The D-Link DIR-826L is a dual-band b/g/n router. It replaced a Rosewill b/g router. Most everything in the house only see the 2.4GHz b/g/n band; only the TVs see the 5GHz band. So, I connected an Edimax extender to the 2.4GHz band. This extender is only b/g (no-N). I connected the wireless adapter of the computer to the extender, and VOILA! No more BSODs.

It's a wireless card driver issue, yes?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W8.1 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C55T-A5394
    CPU
    i3
    Memory
    6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Browser
    FF
    Antivirus
    Defender
Hi simrick ^_^,

I am really sorry for this much delay in the response :( . There are not many analysts. Would you still like me to analyse the dump files? If yes, then kindly reply to this thread and I would be notified via email. I will try my best to reply within 48 hours :)

According to the WhoCrashed report you posted, it seems like the wireless card's driver is the reason behind the BSODs ;)


-Pranav
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Industry Pro B-)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
    CPU
    Core I5 2430M @ 2.4GHz
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3 @ 1600MHz Dual Channel ^_^
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 3000 B-)
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 500 GB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender & Common Sense!
Hi Pranav. Yes, it appears to be the wifi card driver. But I can't find any newer one. If you have some suggestions, I would really appreciate it!

I also want to add this: I did have another BSOD while the computer was connected to the b/g extender. Could it be that the card is failing and instead of just "not connecting" it's giving me these blue screens?

EDIT: Or, could it be that the wireless card doesn't like the b/g/n mixed? I will try changing it to only b/g and see if that makes a difference. My previous router was only b/g and this problem started right after I switched routers.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W8.1 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C55T-A5394
    CPU
    i3
    Memory
    6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Browser
    FF
    Antivirus
    Defender
Update: I changed my router to b/g only (no N) and the problem disappeared. This is a shame, since N is so much faster than G. I guess my only other solution is to replace the wireless card.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W8.1 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C55T-A5394
    CPU
    i3
    Memory
    6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Browser
    FF
    Antivirus
    Defender
Hi Simrick ^_^,

Really sorry for this much delay in response :( . If it is working like that, yes you would need a better wireless card.


Let me know in case of any further problem.

-Pranav
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Industry Pro B-)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
    CPU
    Core I5 2430M @ 2.4GHz
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3 @ 1600MHz Dual Channel ^_^
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 3000 B-)
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 500 GB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender & Common Sense!
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