BSOD, Chrome Errors and AV Question.

[StevenC]

I apologize if I post this in the wrong area. I have been getting quite a lot of BSODs lately, most with the stop code: memory management. Additionally, I have also been frequently experiencing the Aw Snap: status_access_violation page error in chrome. 

 

At first I thought that my PC may have been inflected so I ran a few AV scans using Norton and Norton’s Power Eraser (I believe that is what it is called) and a quick scan with Windows Defender but nothing was found. I have updated Windows along with my display and amd chipset drivers but no luck. I also ran a sfc /scannow which found errors that couldn’t be repaired. I also ran a memory test using the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool but for some reason I couldn’t view the results in the event viewer so I’m currently running an extended memory test using the same tool. 
 

I’m thinking that I’m just going to try reinstalling Windows when the memory test is complete. I’m also thinking of switching to just using Windows Defender and Firefox after the fresh installation. I’ve always been worried that just using Windows Defender wouldn’t provide adequate protection and thus I have been using Norton for many years. Would it wise to switch to just using Windows Defender or would I be putting myself at risk by not using a paid AV service? Any advice would be appreciated.

[BiotechBen]

1 hour ago, StevenC said:

I apologize if I post this in the wrong area. I have been getting quite a lot of BSODs lately, most with the stop code: memory management. Additionally, I have also been frequently experiencing the Aw Snap: status_access_violation page error in chrome. 

 

At first I thought that my PC may have been inflected so I ran a few AV scans using Norton and Norton’s Power Eraser (I believe that is what it is called) and a quick scan with Windows Defender but nothing was found. I have updated Windows along with my display and amd chipset drivers but no luck. I also ran a sfc /scannow which found errors that couldn’t be repaired. I also ran a memory test using the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool but for some reason I couldn’t view the results in the event viewer so I’m currently running an extended memory test using the same tool. 
 

I’m thinking that I’m just going to try reinstalling Windows when the memory test is complete. I’m also thinking of switching to just using Windows Defender and Firefox after the fresh installation. I’ve always been worried that just using Windows Defender wouldn’t provide adequate protection and thus I have been using Norton for many years. Would it wise to switch to just using Windows Defender or would I be putting myself at risk by not using a paid AV service? Any advice would be appreciated.

Windows defender is fine as a last line of defense, but would not recommend as daily driving. I personally use bitdefender (LTT has done a video on it) and it's honestly amazing. And the free version is literally just the software minus the "premium" features, which if you're just doing home computing is perfect.