Random BSODs on Vista

[Windowsisgreat]

I have a Toshiba Satellite with Windows Vista.

I'm getting BSODs all the time with different codes but there's 3 files causing them all. I have downloaded BlueScreenView which allows me to see what is causing each BSOD.

Problems: 1) hal.dll 2) ntoskrnl.exe 3) OADriver.sys

The blue screens are typically BAD_POOL_HEADER and BAD_POOL_CALLER

This has been happening for a month. I've tried what i know but it hasn't worked. Thanks

 

[Tmagic650]

"OA Helper Driver belongs to the software OADriver or OA Helper Driver by Emsi Software GmbH (www.emsisoft.com) or Tall Emu (www.tallemu.com.au)"...

Does this look familiar to you? It is in the minidumps... You may need to remove it and see if the BSOD's stop

 

[Windowsisgreat]

...

Emsisoft is Online Armor. It's a firewall.

If that's causing the Blue Screens i don't know what to replace Online Armor with. Online Armor is free and it's worked pretty good i guess until now.

 

[Tmagic650]

Remove it and your current antivirus if you are not already running free MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) install it and download and run this temp file cleaner regularly:
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/files/file/187-tfc-temp-file-cleaner-by-oldtimer/
MSE:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials

Is Vista fully updated to Service Pack 2? You don't need any 3rd party firewalls if Windows is fully updated, and MSE enhances the Windows firewall and Windows Defender. 3rd party firewalls now make Windows unstable, as you are finding out now

 

[Windowsisgreat]

....

Thanks. I deleted Avast and Online Armor and installed Microsoft Security Essentials and it hasn't crashed yet.

 

[Tmagic650]

Okay, good Have you used the temp file cleaner yet?

 

[Windowsisgreat]

What's the difference between temp file cleaner and going to internet options and clearing out the history, cookies, etc?

 

[Tmagic650]

Programs you download and install also leave temp files, and these are where a lot of malware place "anchors" to spy and disrupt. Recycle Bins and your Internet cookies are also emptied when you use the Temp File Cleaner I suggested. Temp files for all users are deleted too. The restart clears out those tough nasties