Question Building a new PC but cannot install Windows 11. Keep getting blue screen error code 0xc0000221 about the "header checksum" not matching.

[nephelus]

Working on putting together a gaming PC. System POSTs and I can reach the BIOS just fine. Fans are spinning and LEDs on the case are on. All in all, seems like things are good.

However, when I try to boot to the USB stick that I made with the Windows 11 Creation Media, I am met with a blue screen saying the following:

Your PC/Device needs to be repaired

The header checksum for this file doesn't match the computed checksum

Error Code: 0xc0000221

Here's what I have tried:

1. Tested both RAM sticks in all possible configurations. Either both of them are bad or it's something else.
2. Tried formatting the SSD multiple times and even tried a different SSD.
3. Tried installing Windows 10 instead of 11 but that didn't work for different reasons.

The one thing I am concerned about is the CPU. It was secondhand pre-owned and it had a single bent pin I had to fix before it would seat in the motherboard.

Parts used: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/xJGXkf

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor
ASRock A520M-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard
TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
Samsung 870 Evo 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive
XFX GTS XXX Radeon RX 580 8 GB Video Card
Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Desktop Case
Thermaltake Smart 500 W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply

 

[rgd1101]

try another usb stick?

 

[nephelus]

try another usb stick?

Thank you! I cannot believe that my brand new USB stick was somehow to blame! Win 11 is currently installing. It's so obvious that I didn't even consider it a possibility...