[SOLVED] Windows won't boot

[Chea996]

Hello,
the other day while I was playing on my PC , suddently the game froze and I started hearing a sound (the one which the game game was playing at that moment) repeatedly and very fast, so I shut the PC off pressing the OFF button for several seconds.

After that, I'm not anymore able to access Windows.
I can access the BIOS and the system detects all the components correctly; but every time I try to boot Windows, the loading circle stops and either I shut down the PC or a BSOD appears (I got many different BSOD with many different error codes, such as: system_thread_exception_not_handled, DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, clock_watchdog_timeout and others).

I tried to install a clean SSD and boot Windows from a USB key but that didn't work either so I think it's safe to assume I got an hardware problem.
I tried keeping only 1 RAM stick at a time but that didn't fix the issue.

In your opinion should I look for a RAM, MOBO or CPU replacement? Or else?


PS: I also reset CMOS but that didn't work.

 

[Cj-tech]

Hello,
the other day while I was playing on my PC , suddently the game froze and I started hearing a sound (the one which the game game was playing at that moment) repeatedly and very fast, so I shut the PC off pressing the OFF button for several seconds.

After that, I'm not anymore able to access Windows.
I can access the BIOS and the system detects all the components correctly; but every time I try to boot Windows, the loading circle stops and either I shut down the PC or a BSOD appears (I got many different BSOD with many different error codes, such as: system_thread_exception_not_handled, DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, clock_watchdog_timeout and others).

I tried to install a clean SSD and boot Windows from a USB key but that didn't work either so I think it's safe to assume I got an hardware problem.
I tried keeping only 1 RAM stick at a time but that didn't fix the issue.

In your opinion should I look for a RAM, MOBO or CPU replacement? Or else?


PS: I also reset CMOS but that didn't work.

If your CPU has integrated graphics, try removing the GPU and booting with only the CPU and a stick of RAM. What are your system specs? To me, it sounds like a power supply issue.

 

[Secret-Squirrel]

........................so I shut the PC off pressing the OFF button for several seconds..................After that, I'm not anymore able to access Windows.

That's a common problem and is usually caused by file corruption. A disk check is usually all that's required to fix it.

Is it too late now for you to do any of that? If it's not then start the PC with your Windows USB, choose "Repair your computer" (bottom-left) at the Install Windows screen, go into a Command Prompt window and run: chkdsk /f

 

[Chea996]

If your CPU has integrated graphics, try removing the GPU and booting with only the CPU and a stick of RAM. What are your system specs? To me, it sounds like a power supply issue.

I tried that but nothing new happened.

That's a common problem and is usually caused by file corruption. A disk check is usually all that's required to fix it.

Is it too late now for you to do any of that? If it's not then start the PC with your Windows USB, choose "Repair your computer" (bottom-left) at the Install Windows screen, go into a Command Prompt window and run: chkdsk /f

Just like when I boot from the SSD, also from the USB I get to the Windows loading screen, but then it freezes and I have to shut down the PC.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Specs?

 

[Chea996]

Specs?

• MOBO: ASUS PRIME Z790-P
• GPU: PNY RTX™ 3080 10GB XLR8
• RAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR PLATINUM 2X16GB (DDR5)
• CPU: Intel Core i7-13700
• PSU: ASUS ROG Strix 1000W

 

[Secret-Squirrel]

Just like when I boot from the SSD, also from the USB I get to the Windows loading screen, but then it freezes and I have to shut down the PC.

Are you sure the PC's actually booting from the USB?

I'd be very surprised if just turning the PC off abruptly like that would cause a serious problem.

 

[Chea996]

Are you sure the PC's actually booting from the USB?

I'd be very surprised if just turning the PC off abruptly like that would cause a serious problem.

Yes, I even replaced the SSD with a total blank one, so I'm sure about that.

I don't know if the problem is the fact that I turned it off or if some hardware piece fried before I could turn it off

 

[Secret-Squirrel]

...................................... or if some hardware piece fried before I could turn it off

Ah, I see your point.

You could start by checking your RAM for problems using something like a bootable MemTest64 USB.

 

[Chea996]

Ah, I see your point.

You could start by checking your RAM for problems using something like a bootable MemTest64 USB.

I'll give it a try. Thank you

 

[Chea996]

Ah, I see your point.

You could start by checking your RAM for problems using something like a bootable MemTest64 USB.

Ok I did that, it passed the first round of test without any errors.
Somewhere in the second or third pass, however, the PC shut down and kept turning on and off repeatedly.

I managed to make the test restart, but now every time I start it, the PC shuts down at the end of Test#1

 

[drivinfast247]

Ok I did that, it passed the first round of test without any errors.
Somewhere in the second or third pass, however, the PC shut down and kept turning on and off repeatedly.

I managed to make the test restart, but now every time I start it, the PC shuts down at the end of Test#1

Are you able to enter the BIOS and see the CPU temp?
Try again with only 1 stick of RAM. Be sure to test BOTH sticks separately.

 

[Chea996]

Are you able to enter the BIOS and see the CPU temp?
Try again with only 1 stick of RAM. Be sure to test BOTH sticks separately.

Yes I can still enter the BIOS, the temp looks normal.
I will try that, thanks.

 

[Chea996]

Are you able to enter the BIOS and see the CPU temp?
Try again with only 1 stick of RAM. Be sure to test BOTH sticks separately.

I tried testing with only one RAM stick at a time but the result won't change: the PC shuts off immediately after starting Test#2

 

[drivinfast247]

I tried testing with only one RAM stick at a time but the result won't change: the PC shuts off immediately after starting Test#2

Every time?

Are you still testing without the GPU installed?

 

[Chea996]

Every time?

Are you still testing without the GPU installed?

Yes, every time.
I tried both with and without GPU

 

[drivinfast247]

Yes, every time.
I tried both with and without GPU

Both sticks crash when starting 2nd test?

 

[Chea996]

Both sticks crash when starting 2nd test?

Yes

 

[drivinfast247]

Yes

Either CPU or RAM failure IMO. I'm leaning towards RAM but the odds of both going bad is slim.

Try re-seating the CPU.

 

[Chea996]

Either CPU or RAM failure IMO. I'm leaning towards RAM but the odds of both going bad is slim.

Try re-seating the CPU.

Do you think the mobo is fine?

 

[drivinfast247]

Do you think the mobo is fine?

A mobo going bad is more likely but the BSOD errors would lead me towards CPU/RAM.

 

[Chea996]

Ok so I reached out to Intel and they sent me a new CPU. That was it, now it's working fine.

 

[drivinfast247]

Ok so I reached out to Intel and they sent me a new CPU. That was it, now it's working fine.

Glad to hear.