Blue Screen Death on Downloading

[Undeadcow]

Hello,

I am getting a blue screen of death error on downloading games with Steam. The error message tells me that rtl8192cu.sys has driver_irql_not_less_or_equal. Internet research tells me this may be related to my network card driver. I updated the network card drive, installed all pending Windows Vista and other updates without success. I have deleted and reinstalled Steam three times. I can navigate Steam without issue, it's only when attempting downloads that it becomes unstable.

I am able to download even large files in Firefox (i.e. 1.7GB Inquisitor game off GOG) but can not download F.E.A.R. 1 (5GB) or Alien Shooter (400MB) off Steam. On attempting to download a game, in this case F.E.A.R., Steam attained just under 200MB of the file then crashes. In one case the whole computer just froze up just after the download rate dropped to 0. I have only ever successfully downloaded one game, months ago, when I managed to get Duke Nukem 3D Megaton somehow after experiencing frequent blue screens then too but that took a bunch of attempts. I suspected memory card issues but none of my other computer functions seem impacted and blue screen crashes seem isolated to just Steam.

Any advice? I also entered a claim with the Steam support team. Thanks in advance for responses. I really want to play F.E.A.R... and NecroVision... and...

[schnitzeljaeger]

What network adapter do you have? Model?

[Undeadcow]

This is my USB network adapter: Airlink 101 AWLL5088 Wireless N 150 Ultra Mini USB Adapter

http://www.airlink101.com/products/awll5088.php

The adapter installed in the computer initially quit working (HP apparently did not solder them well).

[aiusepsi]

These days, blue screens of death mean hardware failure or buggy driver. Applications literally can't cause BSODs. The most they can do is start the chain of events that leads to the bug in the driver manifesting

Steam calls a networking API, Windows takes that and does some processing, Windows calls into the driver to get something done, driver crashes.

[twitch.tv/lupinusch]

I finih this whit help

[Undeadcow]

I don't have any firewall software and disabled the protection that comes with Windows in the event that might have been causing a problem.

I have not installed any VOD or VDM software; unless Windows Vista has some by default there should be none.

Thanks to all for their responses.

[Undeadcow]

The network adapter driver is up to date, is there anything else I can do?

This seems to crash only with Steam, would a device driver or hardware only malfunction in response to one specific type of software but not other similar programs (Firefox downloads, BitTorrent, etc).

[Undeadcow]

Any ideas?

[Satoru]

Make sure you're running SP2 on vista

[Undeadcow]

Thanks to all for the replies, especially Archduke. I think I may have a resolution. Ultimately what seemed to work was to delete and reinstall my network adapter driver. I cleaned up my programs by deleting BitTorrent and some other internet drivers and reinstalled but still the blue screen appeared until I deleted/reinstalled adapter driver.

Curiously now Steam seems to slow and freeze up but so far I think it's downloading through that so I can manage to leave it run through the night. If not I'll create a new thread.

I really appreciate all the help!