Win XP BSOD from SYMEFA.SYS

Norton Security | Norton Internet Security
1

Last week I started having system crashed due to a page fault with SYMEFA.SYS. I tried removing Norton Internet Security (20.1.1.2) and re-installing it but that didn't help. I decided to just reimage the system completely and rebuilt Windows from scratch on a new drive. All was fine for the last 6 days, then this morning the same error came back. The system is fine as long as I'm using it, but it crashed when the idle time scan kicks in.

 

I didn't change anything I know of since it was working last night, but who ever knows what automatic updates are doing.

 

Obviously I would like to make this go away. Please let me know what other details are needed to help dort this out.

 

Thanks

 

Bill

2

Hello, I have also run into the same problem as the OP. I also went through the old threads and tried the fixes, but I am still having the same situation. Like the OP, the blue screen appears when the idle time scan kicks in. If anyone can offer any advice, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance

3

Last week I started having system crashed due to a page fault with SYMEFA.SYS. I tried removing Norton Internet Security (20.1.1.2) and re-installing it but that didn't help. I decided to just reimage the system completely and rebuilt Windows from scratch on a new drive. All was fine for the last 6 days, then this morning the same error came back. The system is fine as long as I'm using it, but it crashed when the idle time scan kicks in.

 

I didn't change anything I know of since it was working last night, but who ever knows what automatic updates are doing.

 

Obviously I would like to make this go away. Please let me know what other details are needed to help dort this out.

 

Thanks

 

Bill

4

bcotter and to_cbr,

 

Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention.  We are looking into the matter. If you could provide us some additional information from you systems, it would be very helpful.

I have sent you additional instructions via the community Private Messenger system, please click on the in the upper right hand corner of any community page to view your private messages.

5

Thank you for responding. I received the pm and will be sending you the information shortly. Thanks again.

6

Thanks also. Minudump file sent as requested. I hope you can find a cure!

7

I am having what appears to be the same problem as bcotter.

I ran RnR for 360 and also deleted the efaData folder.

Still have3 the same BSOD if I leave the computer alone for a bit.

 

This problem showed up on both my computers at about the same time last week.

Fred

8

Another one with the same problem.  Exception in SYMEFA.SYS address B7D62A02.  Have tried uninstalling and reinstalling without success.

9

Hi

I have the same problem, spent 3 hours with Norton support last night which didnt fix anything.

A little back ground, PC  worked ok until about a week ago when i started to get the BSD when i think Norton started an Idle scan (had a "New Program" install notification in my  all programs list - Norton, checked this and this version has a new front end version 20.1.1.2 i beleive).

Uninstalled NIS - perfectly stable, reinstalled NIS - perfectly stable, after the first update - BSD again.

I think Symantec need to find out what they have changed!!!

10

Same issue here. Started last week. Been able to isolate problem to when idle time scans kick in. Issue is with WinXP and SymEFA.sys. BSOD indicates it is trying to page to a non-pagable area. Requested tech support Friday pm and have not heard back yet. Ready to change companies.

11

As requested, I have uploaded my .dmp file. I hope that this helps lead to an answer to the problem.

12

I just uploaded the kernel dump as requested.

13

I have notified Symanted that I have created a .dmp file 2 days ago, without any response back from them. As of now, I cannot walk away from this PC, as it crashes when the idle time processes kick in. I am losing $, and ready to move to a different company. I can understand problems, it is the lack of response (even email replys) from Symantec that is aggravating.

14

You could always try their live chat support. That's assuming you have a ton of extra time on your hands. I tried it last week when this mess first surfaced. Here's a transcript of my 30 minute "chat".

 

Thank you for contacting Norton Support, you have now been placed in a queue and our next available expert will be with you shortly.

If you need help to download and install a Norton product, we have an online tutorial with step by step instructions available from www.norton.com/download
While you wait, please feel free to check it out.

Thank you for your patience. One of our experts will be with you soon.

Thank you for your patience. One of our experts will be with you soon.

Thank you for your patience. One of our experts will be with you soon.

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15

To stop the crashing (albeit by stopping backgound scanning kicking in during idle time), you can turn on Silent Mode.

 

Right Click on the Internet Securiy icon in the System Tray, and select Silent Mode.  Select a period (up to a day).  At least then, you can go an have a cup of coffee without the system crashing.

 

I wish Symantec would hurry up and fix this major issue. If they don't fix it soon, I will be seeking a refund of the renewal that I just paid, as with this bug, the software is not fit for purpose, and not saleable.

16

Thanks, Keith, I can give that a try. Been a rough (almost) two weeks of dealing with this, especially with no end in sight.

17

I will try this temporary fix too. I will let you know how it works. Thanks for the tip.

18

For those with this issue, have you run LiveUpdate manually a few times, rebooting as necessary, until no updates are available.

 

There is a new update to version 20.2.0.19 that has addressed a number of issues.

 

Please let us know if this updates helps.

19

Running Live Update repeatedly daily (nothing left to update) does not fix the issue. Forcing into Silent Mode helps for up to 24 h (maximum delay setting). This has been the only thing that has provided any measure of help (temporarily). Keith - thanks for the suggestion

20

Same results here