bitcoin-qt blue screens Windows 8

[cjcole8]

Anybody have this problem?  I can't run my bitcoin client.  It usually takes a while (some hours), but eventually, my Windows 8 machine will suddenly blue screen.  It says the error is SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION (ndis.sys).  That is all the detail given.  Then I have to restart my computer.  I never see the blue screen of death unless I'm running the bitcoin-qt client.

I'm running Windows 8 64-bit.  The client is bitcoin-0.8.1. I know that's one behind, but I have been trying to figure out the issue before upgrading.  The hardware is a Dell Latitude E5420.

[grue]

It's impossible for user mode applications to cause bluescreens. Only code running as kernel mode can. You should update your drivers to the latest version and check for hardware damage or overheating.

[cjcole8]

As I said, the only time this ever happens is with the bitcoin client running. So obviously it's not a hardware issue.  Also, I'm not much of a programmer, but I thought in Windows, the OS is the only thing allowed to run in kernel mode, with the application using Windows API calls for kernel mode needs.  Either way, the BSOD that is happening clearly correlates to the bitcoin client, so don't tell me it's impossible for that to happen.  Maybe it's making an API call in a weird way or something.

[cjcole8]

That could be the issue. Although I've downloaded plenty of torrents without issues.  Linux ISOs of course

[grue]

As I said, the only time this ever happens is with the bitcoin client running. So obviously it's not a hardware issue.  Also, I'm not much of a programmer, but I thought in Windows, the OS is the only thing allowed to run in kernel mode, with the application using Windows API calls for kernel mode needs.  Either way, the BSOD that is happening clearly correlates to the bitcoin client, so don't tell me it's impossible for that to happen.  Maybe it's making an API call in a weird way or something.

Correlation does not imply causation. Even if bitcoin does make a faulty API call, the driver is not supposed to bluescreen. If it does, it's still the driver's fault. Also, please update to the latest version before filing an issue, as there might be various fixes.