Ad-Aware BSODs

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I had been Beta-testing the new Ad-Aware when my WIN 7 Ultimate 64-bit began experiencing multiple BSODs in early December. The dump file showed:

Dump File : 120510-20857-01.dmp
Crash Time : 12/5/2010 8:08:41 PM
Bug Check String : SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION
Bug Check Code : 0x0000003b
Parameter 1 : 00000000`c0000005
Parameter 2 : fffff880`0927f86c
Parameter 3 : fffff880`09ce2c90
Parameter 4 : 00000000`00000000
Caused By Driver : sbapifs.sys
Caused By Address : sbapifs.sys+386c
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:Windowsminidump120510-20857-01.dmp

When I couldn’t find any meaningful information on sbapifs.sys, I began removing recently installed programs and when AA was removed, the problem went away. Toward the end of December, CNET offered a free download of the latest shipping version of AA which I downloaded. BSODs were back with a vengeance still showing the same information in the dump file. I uninstalled AA and the problem went away.

I returned to the Beta site and filed a bug report, including a copy of the dump files. Yesterday when I returned to the Beta site to see what the status was, my bug report had been removed.

Is anyone experiencing similar problems? I’ve been running AA for years on various machines / WIN versions and have never seen this before.

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Cote,

Sbapifs.sys is apparently an active protection driver by Sunbelt Software, developers of Vipre AV software and other security software. Have you had any Sunbelt Software products installed on your computer? Is it possible that Sunbelt has licensed some of its technology to Ad-Aware?

It is possible you are dealing with some malware. Have you done any scans using your AV and a good malware scanner such as Malwarebytes Antimalware Free?

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Thanks for your post Gerald.

I did find that sbapifs.sys was associated with Sunbelt S/W but I’ve never used any of their products. However, it was that information that led me to uninstalling the AA beta in early December and subsequently the retail version in late December. I suspect that AA is using some of Sunbelt’s code but I have no way of knowing for sure.

As for malware, that was my first consideration. I ran a thorough scan with MS Security Essentials, then Malwarebytes and Spybot and my system was clean.

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I inquired at Sunbelt and got this reply:

Yes, Ad-Aware does use some of our technology in their products. If you no longer want to use Ad-Aware then there should be no problem removing this driver. If you run into any further trouble with this then it would be best to contact Lavasoft’s support as they will be more familiar with their product.

————————-
Nick Hallin
Product Specialist
GFI Software, formerly Sunbelt Software

Regards,

Dan

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I thought it was generally accepted that Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy were good products in their day, but that their day has passed? Surely better products like Malwarebytes’ AntiMalware, SuperAntiSpyware, HitMan Pro and so on have taken over from these olde warhorses…

BATcher

Plethora means a lot to me.

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