BSOD Invalid Kernel Handle - help!

madmum33

Everything was working fine until this morning when I noticed Zone Alarm telling me it was out of date, so I updated and restarted the computer. Since then it keeps booting up to either the welcome screen or sometimes starts to load desktop and then crashes to the BSOD.

Error code is:
Invalid_Kernel_Handle

STOP 0x00000093 (0x00000548, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

I've managed to get into safe mode but can't uninstall zone alarm... any suggestions?

I also ran scan disk with no bad sectors found.

I'm on Windows XP (dinosaur), no idea which service pack since updates stopped working ages ago.

rmg1

Have you got a recent restore point you can use?

madmum33

rmg1 wrote: »

Have you got a recent restore point you can use?

I tried that too, still went to BSOD

rmg1

Can't remember if you can run the sfc /scannow from safe mode but might be worth a try.

What does it do when you try to uninstall zonealarm in safe mode?

waddler_8

Try this: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/zonealarm-uninstall-tool/

madmum33

rmg1 wrote: »

Can't remember if you can run the sfc /scannow from safe mode but might be worth a try.

What does it do when you try to uninstall zonealarm in safe mode?

It says it can't uninstall in safe mode.

I tried an earlier system restore which didn't work, and now can't get into safe mode either.

I put my windows disc in the cdrom drive but can't get the computer to boot from it.

No idea what sfc/scannow is?

madmum33

waddler_8 wrote: »

Try this: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/zonealarm-uninstall-tool/

Just done that and it appears to have worked, fingers crossed!

madmum33

madmum33 wrote: »

Just done that and it appears to have worked, fingers crossed!

It worked!!!! Thank you!

Is it worth risking zone alarm again?

debitcardmayhem

I would advise against that , use windows firewall for now, what antivirus have you got ? Also I would see if someone on here can help you with getting Windows Updates working, microsoft fixit may help with that ...will dig the link out....
http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_update/

waddler_8

madmum33 wrote: »

I'm on Windows XP (dinosaur), no idea which service pack since updates stopped working ages ago.

What service pack?

Support for XP SP2 ended July 13, 2010 http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifean31

Go Start > Run type MSINFO32 click OK

System Information will tell you your OS version info, including service pack level.

If less than SP3, you'll need to get it from here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24

madmum33

Still SP2 apparently, I've tried many times to update but it wouldn't work. Downloading from your link now waddler_8, thanks.

I have Avast (free) antivirus.