MSI GT70 0NE: e86w8x64.sys causing crash

So, I have an MSI GT70 0NE-609US (Dragon Edition). It came packaged with Windows 8 and has been compatibility hell. I've already tried going back to Windows 7 with my own copy and run into UEFI hell so this is not an option (unless someone here can give me a concise guide on how to do so. P.S.: That would be REALLY appreciated ).

Here's the basic rundown.

Every so often, I get a crash courtesy of e86w8x64.sys. By way of a little googling, I have discovered that this is a Killer Networks driver (though which one I am not sure). I suppose it is related to Bluetooth considering that it has been failing to start the device for about a week now. I should've seen a driver related coming resultant from this. Anyway, at random times, the computer will Blue Screen on me ( and all) and kindly inform me that it has crashed and needs to restart.

I've, so far, uninstalled and reinstalled the driver set (which, of course, involves uninstalling the software to and reinstalling it) using driver version 6.1.0.437.

I'm hoping someone here can give me some assistance as the MSI forum thread on this did not produce much in the way of satisfaction for me considering the guy's only option was to revert back to Windows 7 from Windows 8. Considering what I have stated above, this is (unfortunately) not an option for me.

 

Pressing F3 on bootup can you access a recovery partition where you can restore it back to shipped setup?

Built into Windows 8 installation are options to completely reinstall Windows 8 wiping everything on the drive or cleanly installing Windows 8 and saving installed files.

If it were me I'd do a clean Windows 8 installation.

Built into Windows 8 are basic drivers for all your hardware except the card reader.

The wireless driver built into Windows 8 is the Atheros Osprey that will allow you to connect to the Internet by wireless when you select your SSID during W8 setup.

For a Windows 7 installation you may need to flash your bios to GT700NE Windows 7 bios?

 

I have a MSI GT70 0NE-416US, and I originally upgraded to Windows 8 the day it came out. I went through about 7 different drivers related to the Killer Networks network card (that driver that you spoke of, e86w8x64.sys, relates to the built in ethernet), before I gave up and went back to Windows 7.

Offhand, what are you doing when this happens? For me, I was usually playing a game, specifically Super Monday Night Combat. I could do pretty much anything else, but whenever I played that game it crashed very randomly. I went back to Windows 7 now and I'm running smooth and fine now.

I've sort of found that the Killer Network drivers are absolute crap, and personally will never buy another product that includes their hardware.

 

After a clean Windows 8 installation is there a driver included in Windows 8 that enables the Killer 2200 Lan to be used without installinf the Killer driver?

So,the Killer hardware works in Windows 7 with the Killer drivers but not so well in Windows 8.Is that what you are saying?

Then with whom does the problem lay,Qualcomm Atheros Killer drivers or Windows 8.

I have only a Killer 1103 wireless card in my older pre Killer embedded 2200 Lan/Wireless combination that use 1 common driver/software.

On my Windows 7 drives I use the Killer Networks driver and Bigfoot Network Manager.

On my Windows 8 Pro drives I use the Atheros wireless driver v10.0.0.221 WHQL instead of the Killer 437 driver since it works much better.
Atheros & Zidas drivers

 

I'd be willing to lean towards the Killer drivers. I had to upgrade my drivers as it was to this version as the old version would cause the Blizzard Launcher to crash (and I believed it to be resultant from incompatibility with Windows 8, though as soon as Blizzard's Tech Support told me it was related to Killer and I ugpraded, zing. StarCraft 2 works).

I've found the same as time goes on, but there's not much I can do about it at this point except for avoid Killer Network products like yourself.

With regards to what I am doing, there is nothing in particular that I can define. I've had it happen while doing my typical internet usage with Firefox, playing a game, using the start menu, or even just idling (which I discover when I come back to my computer and it says your machine was restarted).

 

This is an unfortunate matter of incompatibility/bad programming. I've read others experiencing similar issues with that card and similar models (in some cases, even in Windows 7).

For now, you can either continue using it and wait for a hotfix (and inform Atheros, in the hopes that they will feel all the more inclined to resolve the driver problem), or replace the card (or use an external receiver).

 

Well, I was having some slight issues in Windows 7 with the driver as well. It was until I upgraded to the most recent driver that in Windows 7 did I become extremely stable (no crash yet in almost a month.....I'm happy).

As far as the driver is concerned, I'm only aware of the E2200 driver, as for the retail GT70's mostly come with just the E2200 (wired ethernet) adapter, not a Killer Wireless NIC.

I gave up on Windows 8. I quickly realized, there was little point. I didn't really gain anything by using Windows 8 yet. No games have or are coming out that will ONLY support Windows 8, so I see no immediate reason to upgrade.

 

The only perk - if you can really call it that - is that some benchmarks show slightly better FPS when using Windows 8, as it is a bit less resource heavy (I'm guessing the exclusion of Aero plays a part in this). But this was only noticeable in a select few games, and even then, only a subtle difference.

 

I wish I'd had an option in the matter as mine came with Windows 8 out the box. I cannot begin to calculate how many hours I've put into trying to get Windows 7 in UEFI mode on this thing and run into one problem or another that no one seems to have a solution for (i.e.: \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD error when trying the USB install, hanging at the "Starting Windows" screen after it loads the startup files to memory when using a DVD). At times I admittedly have buyers remorse for getting this thing. MSI support is absolutely useless and Atheros (Killer) doesn't seem to be in much of a rush to provide a fix.

 

Have you looked into MifuneT's thread? Maybe he can help with your Win7 install: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/698920-installing-windows-8-pro-over-standard-oem-your-new-win8-certified-notebook.html