Question Can't install Windows - the PC doesn't restart during the procedure. Suspect = Failed Bitlocker Encryption

[ravv]

My PC has been having boot and restart problems so I decided to try and re-install Windows.

The problem is that I can't complete the installation because the PC won't restart towards the end of the install operation - so all I get is a black screen.

I have just installed a more powerful PSU so it's not that. I have a new motherboard too.

Does anyone think I need to try a number of different BIOS's, to see if any one of them fixes the issue? Or is it something else?

If I clear CMOS and reboot I can get into CMD and the BIOS.

 

[Fix_that_Glitch]

You said you have a new motherboard, is this when you ran into the problem> What motherboard and cpu?

 

[ravv]

You said you have a new motherboard, is this when you ran into the problem> What motherboard and cpu?

Yes I was troubleshooting, and thought it might be hardware. I don't believe the new motherboard is the source of the problems. I now have an Asus Z790-A II. The CPU is Intel Core i7-14700K.

 

[stonecarver]

The problem is that I can't complete the installation because the PC won't restart towards the end of the install operation - so all I get is a black screen.

I can only assume your getting stuck on the last reboot before the computer restarts to the installer telling you to please wait while Windows gets your desktop ready.


If I'm right when the installer does that last restart wait till the computer is in the loop to reboot and than remove the USB Windows installer. Let the computer do it's thing like you never removed the USB stick see if the install finishes up.

 

[ravv]

I can only assume your getting stuck on the last reboot before the computer restarts to the installer telling you to please wait while Windows gets your desktop ready.


If I'm right when the installer does that last restart wait till the computer is in the loop to reboot and than remove the USB Windows installer. Let the computer do it's thing like you never removed the USB stick see if the install finishes up.

You are right about what is going on. I have removed the install boot usb when the PC is about to reboot, but what happens is that the display monitor's message is 'DisplayPort No Signal' - but there has obviously just been display just before that when the Windows is installing and I've just come from the BIOS. I'm not sure if it's a graphics driver issue - but how do I change NVidia drivers when I can't get into Windows? - I've tried looking up ways with cmd but couldn't find anything personally.

Just to add - I have a i7-14700K, so i might try getting into the BIOS and enabling the iGPU and see if I get any luck installing Windows that way ie. if I plug the HDMI into the motherboard port. I will report back.

 

[ravv]

I can only assume your getting stuck on the last reboot before the computer restarts to the installer telling you to please wait while Windows gets your desktop ready.


If I'm right when the installer does that last restart wait till the computer is in the loop to reboot and than remove the USB Windows installer. Let the computer do it's thing like you never removed the USB stick see if the install finishes up.

I enabled iGPU in the BIOS and plugged the DP cable into the motherboard - nothing. Same when I plugged a HDMI cable in. Same thing when I plugged HDMI from PC to another monitor and I tried my TV -'No Display'.

I'm thinking it's either gpu driver issue or faulty gpu?? The only other thing i can think of is the SSD - however, I have ran a wmic command in cmd and it came back as health 'ok'. However, I think it might be ok but still possibly have boot issues perhaps??

Not sure, need advice.

 

[stonecarver]

Okay can you go a little different direction so we can see if it's parts. or bios setting.

Download Linux POP OS.

Pop!_OS by System76

Imagine an OS for the software developer, maker and computer science professional who uses their computer as a tool to discover and create. Welcome to Pop!_OS.

pop.system76.com

Create a bootable POP thumb drive. Unplug your hard drive and than boot off the live USB stick.

Can you get to a working desktop off the live POP Linus OS.

Mostly just wanting to see if your hardware is all playing nice. If your still black screening it goes back to parts.

 

[ravv]

Okay can you go a little different direction so we can see if it's parts. or bios setting.

Download Linux POP OS.

Pop!_OS by System76

Imagine an OS for the software developer, maker and computer science professional who uses their computer as a tool to discover and create. Welcome to Pop!_OS.

pop.system76.com

Create a bootable POP thumb drive. Unplug your hard drive and than boot off the live USB stick.

Can you get to a working desktop off the live POP Linus OS.

Mostly just wanting to see if your hardware is all playing nice. If your still black screening it goes back to part

Ok, but when you say "unplug your harddrive", what do you mean by that?

Also, do you want me to actually install POP OS to my SSD, or create the POP OS on a USB stick?

 

[stonecarver]

No you don't need to install it to the PC. POP can run off the USB. test it like that. Your choice if you want to install it to hard drive but not needed.

As far as the hard drive I always suggest taking that out of the mix for testing but again up to you

 

[ravv]

Okay can you go a little different direction so we can see if it's parts. or bios setting.

Download Linux POP OS.

Pop!_OS by System76

Imagine an OS for the software developer, maker and computer science professional who uses their computer as a tool to discover and create. Welcome to Pop!_OS.

pop.system76.com

Create a bootable POP thumb drive. Unplug your hard drive and than boot off the live USB stick.

Can you get to a working desktop off the live POP Linus OS.

Mostly just wanting to see if your hardware is all playing nice. If your still black screening it goes back to parts.

I have just tried to install POP OS (with NVidia support) to the PC and it started going well, ie, the POP OS installation process started and I was getting the correct installation screens - but then there was a restart during this installation (much like the previous Windows one) - and the PC failed to restart and I black screened again. Again the monitor showed 'No Display' message. I have had to abort the installation process by hard pressing the power button to shut down.

nb. I looked up how to create a live bootable POP OS off a flash drive - but I don't have 2 USB's to hand as required.

Also, before I started this install attempt - I disabled secure boot in the BIOS as was recommended.

From my experience with this I would say that I can't boot off of a USB unless I turn off the PC, then clear CMOS, then turn on and then get into the BIOS, then go to boot options and choose to boot off the USB drive.

So far with this issue I've installed a new upgrade motherboard, a new CPU and a new more powerful PSU. I originally thought that I might have had this issue because I re-used the boot SSD from the old Asus motherboard with the new Asus one - but not sure.

Just of note - when I had the last Windows installation, I was getting issues with Acronis backups where the backup would complete and then automatically start up again without stopping. I re-installed Acronis because I had this new motherboard at this stage and found that I still couldn't successfully back up my Windows. I think now that really I should have freshly installed Acronis as soon as I got my new motherboard. Not sure if that has anything to do with this - but think I was getting boot issues before that - must have done or I wouldn't have bought the new motherboard.

EDIT: I've just removed the GPU and cleaned the contacts. Removed the CMOS battery for a while and replaced it. Removed the 12VHPWR RGB strimer extension cable from the GPU and plugged the PSU 12VHPWR cable straight in.
Unfortunately this had made no difference - I tried to install Windows from the boot USB but it black screens/no displays again when the installation tries to restart.

No further forward with this.


If I remember right - this boot issue started happening after I tried to use Bitlocker on the boot drive and it failed.


EDIT:

*What I have tried:


- Tried various versions of motherboard BIOS.

- Turning off UEFI boot and having CSM (legacy) boot and vice versa.

- Clear CMOS button on the motherboard.

- Removing the CMOS battery.

- Removing the GPU and cleaning the contacts before re-installing.

- Removing the 12VHPWR GPU extension cable and plugging the GPU in directly with the PSU 12VHPWR cable.

- Changing Motherboards.

- Changing CPU.

- Changing PSU to a more powerful one.

- Removing the additional SSD's and just having the boot SSD plugged in.

- (When Windows was accessible) Changing monitor resolution & refresh rate.

- Tried a different monitor (HDMI cable).

- Tried a TV via HDMI cable to the PC.

- Tried the DP cable to a different monitor.

- Unplugging additional USB peripherals and leaving just the keyboard & mouse plugged in.

- Cleaning the contacts & Reseating the boot SSD.

- Applying a new thermal pad to the boot SSD.

- Re-applying fresh thermal paste to the CPU & AIO.

- Reseating the RAM sticks.

- Checking temperatures (all OK) & No motherboard warning LED lights staying on (all OK).

- Tried fresh Windows boot USB software.

- Ensuring the DP or HDMI cable is always plugged in properly.

- (When Windows was accessible) Re-installed the Chipset Driver.




*What I can't find a way to do with my PC in this state:


- Installing different GPU drivers.

 

[stonecarver]

- Removing the additional SSD's and just having the boot SSD plugged in

If I remember right - this boot issue started happening after I tried to use Bitlocker on the boot drive and it failed.

Can you see what happens trying again the Linux OS without any hard drive connected see if you get black screened without that drive with the bitlocker.

If it fails again do you have a spare PC to prepare Windows on that we can use to get your windows up and running.

Keep that bitlocker SSD out of the mix if you can.

My suggestion below at this point is it that bitlocker drive giving you grief or just a wonky setting getting in the way.


Here is what you do put a fresh SSD in the other PC , unplug the spare computers hard drives to keep them safe.

Do your Windows install on the spare computer up THAT LAST REBOOT where when Windows says please wait while we get your desktop ready stuff.

DON'T let it reboot to that next part , please wait desktop stuff.

At that point unplug the spare computer to catch it before it restarts, remove the hard drive / SSD and return it to your regular PC you have been having issues with.

See if it lets you finish the install of Windows.

I haven't brought up an issue with you GPU as you have not said it ever has had an issue.

My PC has been having boot and restart problems so I decided to try and re-install Windows.

But in post # 10 you did a great job of posting everything you have tried and the only common parts are that original bitlocker drive and memory. With still the same issue.

 

[ravv]

No you don't need to install it to the PC. POP can run off the USB. test it like that. Your choice if you want to install it to hard drive but not needed.

As far as the hard drive I always suggest taking that out of the mix for testing but again up to you

I have opened up an ASUS support ticket but that won't be seen now until Tuesday. I have just been on a chat with Microsoft Support and they said it was probably either the GPU ports, or an issue with the monitor or cable.

 

[ravv]

Can you see what happens trying again the Linux OS without any hard drive connected see if you get black screened without that drive with the bitlocker.

If it fails again do you have a spare PC to prepare Windows on that we can use to get your windows up and running.

Keep that bitlocker SSD out of the mix if you can.

My suggestion below at this point is it that bitlocker drive giving you grief or just a wonky setting getting in the way.


Here is what you do put a fresh SSD in the other PC , unplug the spare computers hard drives to keep them safe.

Do your Windows install on the spare computer up THAT LAST REBOOT where when Windows says please wait while we get your desktop ready stuff.

DON'T let it reboot to that next part , please wait desktop stuff.

At that point unplug the spare computer to catch it before it restarts, remove the hard drive / SSD and return it to your regular PC you have been having issues with.

See if it lets you finish the install of Windows.

I haven't brought up an issue with you GPU as you have not said it ever has had an issue.

But in post # 10 you did a great job of posting everything you have tried and the only common parts are that original bitlocker drive and memory. With still the same issue.

That seems a hell of a procedure! - Its not so much getting the Windows to install on this occasion, but to try and fix the reboot issue in the longer term I guess. I do appreciate your suggestions tho.
I am going to return the GPU under warranty. Also buy a fresh DisplayPort cable (ensuring compatibility with the monitor). I will also buy a new SSD and try the installation like that.

 

[stonecarver]

It is but when you have clients who expect the computer next day fixed you learn how to get them up and running. Oh by the way that's what I do.

My name just got out as the last resort after every other shop couldn't fix there PC. I only fix by appointment but always filled up.

I know sometime my methods seem nuts but I would not post if they did not work.

Anyways Let us know how it goes and what ends up being the issue.

 

[ravv]

It is but when you have clients who expect the computer next day fixed you learn how to get them up and running. Oh by the way that's what I do.

My name just got out as the last resort after every other shop couldn't fix there PC. I only fix by appointment but always filled up.

I know sometime my methods seem nuts but I would not post if they did not work.

Anyways Let us know how it goes and what ends up being the issue.

Thank you @stonecarver I appreciate it.

 

[Fix_that_Glitch]

How long are you waiting after Windows gives the message getting Widows ready? I would let it be for an hour or two just to see if it finally installs. You would get a display error message after a minute or two of nothing being displayed/drivers not installed yet but that doesn't mean it isn't working to set itself up. You have tried everything else why not try patience?

 

[ravv]

How long are you waiting after Windows gives the message getting Widows ready? I would let it be for an hour or two just to see if it finally installs. You would get a display error message after a minute or two of nothing being displayed/drivers not installed yet but that doesn't mean it isn't working to set itself up. You have tried everything else why not try patience?

I have tried leaving it for at least 10 minutes a few times and it didn't change.

Anyway, so far i have changed the PSU, CPU, m/board, DP cable. I am obtaining new RAM, SSD and GPU. When this PC is basically re-built it should fix this issue. If not I would be surprised. I will update once re-built.

 

[ravv]

I have sorted out the problem:

I have 2 monitors - primary 1 (via DisplayPort) and secondary 2 (via HDMI) for gaming. I unplugged monitor 1 and monitor 2 came to life. I was partway through a Windows re-installation and still had the Windows boot USB plugged in fortunately. (The Windows installation procedure requires a PC restart of course and I couldn't previously achieve this).
The install was still displaying on monitor 2, so I continued it and successfully installed Windows. I waited until I went into Windows display settings before I re-plugged the DP monitor back in.

Now for some reason the PC reboots normally with both monitors plugged in.

I know what to do now if I have this problem again, except I wouldn't be needing to re-install Windows or purchase any replacement components!