BSOD during Windows installation

Hello,

First of all, congratz for the forum! I didn't knew it and reached it out while looking for a solution to my trouble, it looks fantastic!

About the trouble itself, i've been having issues with my computer since first day, though at first i thought it would be a lack of configuration, but after 3 months it started to crash many times a day. I decided to reinstall Windows and it's been a nightmare since then. So i'll start from the begining.

I've bought my pc by pieces from a few stores in March, then assembled it by myself. Specs are:
Mobo: Asus z790 Hero
CPU: i9 13900KS
GPU: Asus 4090 Strix OC
RAM: 4x16 Gskill Z5 7600 CL36
SSD: 2x 2Tb Samsung 990 Pro
PSU: BeQuiet Dark Power Pro 13 1000W

If needed i can do a list of peripherals.

So once i've mounted it all, i managed to do a fresh Windows 11 install without any issue. Been working with the PC somehow good though i was having some microfreezes and inestability. As an example, i was able to work fine with UE5 with some heavy scenes (10+ Gb of VRAM) but on the other hand, League of Legends (a simple one!) had FPS drops to 10 FPS each 5 minutes.
Also i noticed a weird issue, i could work, play or whatever "fine" (with that experience i just told) but the PC restarted with a bsod whenever i turned my main screen off (Samsung G8 OLED using displayport).
I've tried to debug it to some extent, a lot of test, config changes and so on, and finally i decided to do a fresh windows install.

And here's when the real nightmare comes: I wasn't able to install Windows anymore. I had multiple bsod (IRQL, kernel, heap, driver overrun, system exception, page node, etc, i'm pretty sure i've seen the whole bsod list) just trying to boot from the usb. Kept changing settings on bios and sometimes it managed to get onto install screen, but after choosing language it randomly crashed with 0xc000005 error before being able to install it.

I've RMA'ed all components, except the PSU (but i tried it on my old PC and seemed to work fine, 0 issues). They were tested by their respectives store and send to fabric to be tested. Any of them seemed to have issues but they still agreed to send me new ones (from september to decemeber, i've did that 1 by 1). I also bought new SSDs (Solidigm p44 Pro, also 2tb, and GSkill Z5 2x32@6000 (QVL)) just to try.

At some point i was able to install Windows 10 (once the new CPU arrived) but very unstable, i.e after a boot just opening Discord caused it to crash. Sometimes it lasted longer, but every day had many bsods. So i ended up formatting and decided to look for a real solution, i bought that PC to work and i'm not able to do it, i didn't spend some good money on it to end up working from my laptop.

So i'm pretty open to ANY (even from basic bios settings!) suggestion you could have. Of course i've tried almost everything i readed about (bios is up to date, tried to run it with only 1 stick of ram, using a different GPU, moving SSDs from mobo's m2 to Asus Hyper PCIe card, tried two pairs of SSDs and RAM sets, MANY USB sticks with many isos (original one, nulled one, ghost spectre one, etc), unplugged most of my peripherals (only left screen, mouse and keyboard) and probably more suggestion i've read over the net) but i'm open to repeat them all if it helps to find out what's happening.

I've ran Memtest few times with both pairs of RAM (4x16 and 2x32) and seems to work fine, 0 errors.

As i didn't say it, i've tried to install both W11 Pro and W10 Pro.

TODAY i was able to install Windows 11. Same bios config than always but i've deactivated all CPU cores except two (one P core and one E core active). Windows installed without an issue (but somehow slow), then during the reboot i've set 2P and 4E cores and i wasn't able to finish the installation. Will try tomorrow with 1-1 again.
So it led me to think that it is a CPU issue, i've already opened the RMA and even asked for a switch from 13900ks to 14900k just in case. But it sounds weird, afaik CPU is the most reliable component, and KS ones are supposed to be best ones, did i really have 2 bad ones in a row?

I still think there's an underneath issue i can't figure out, but i have no ideas left.

Sorry for this big text, also for my english if i had too many mistakes. Hope it's understable!

Thank you

First thing I would do, is check the ASUS user manual and make sure you are placing the RAM modules in the correct slots. Some MB's are very fussy about that and ASUS usually warn you about it in the manual.

For my ASUS board:

For two RAM modules, they go into DIMM_A2 and DIMM_B2 only. Most ASUS boards are the same.

Next, make sure the CPU block for your cooler is actually contacting the CPU. Also, use a liberal amount of good thermal paste on the cooler block.

I am thinking that the CPU could possibly be overheating due to poor contact of the cooler block which leads to the BSOD. I have seen instances where all appeared OK, but in fact the block was not contacting the CPU correctly, so double check for that and do not assume that because it looks OK, that it is.

Make sure the cooler pump and fans are plugged into the correct fan headers on the MB. Your pump may not be spinning at the correct speed otherwise.

If you have another fan based cooler for the CPU try using that, even if only temporary.

Also, check for any switches or jumpers on the MB and make sure you have them set correctly.

If you are using M.2 drive/s, then make sure the contacts are clean and the drives are seated correctly.

Make sure any heat sinks are fitted correctly also.

After checking all of the above, enter your BIOS and then load the BIOS defaults and save them.

Try booting up to Windows and check the CPU temps using Open Hardware Monitor or a similar program, if you are able to.

HTH

redsmaug said:

RAM: 4x16 Gskill Z5 7600 CL36

Click to expand...

redsmaug said:

I also bought new SSDs (Solidigm p44 Pro, also 2tb, and GSkill Z5 2x32@6000 (QVL)) just to try.

Click to expand...

Please see posting instructions:



How come the posting instructions were not seen or followed?

What webpage or website improvements could be made so that the posting instructions are seen?



The two 32 GB RAM modules were seen on the QVL.

The four 16 GB RAM modules were not seen on the QVL.

Does the computer currently have two 32 GB or four 16GB RAM modules?

trumpy81 said:

First thing I would do, is check the ASUS user manual and make sure you are placing the RAM modules in the correct slots. Some MB's are very fussy about that and ASUS usually warn you about it in the manual.

Click to expand...

I always check the manual when i build a PC, there's no room for mistakes when using 4 dimms, but rechecked it for the 2 dimm config and are set on the right ones.

trumpy81 said:

Next, make sure the CPU block for your cooler is actually contacting the CPU. Also, use a liberal amount of good thermal paste on the cooler block.

I am thinking that the CPU could possibly be overheating due to poor contact of the cooler block which leads to the BSOD. I have seen instances where all appeared OK, but in fact the block was not contacting the CPU correctly, so double check for that and do not assume that because it looks OK, that it is.

Click to expand...

Using Artic MX4. It seems to be okay, plus knowing that 13900ks is such a quite hot CPU, before formatting the PC the last time i was getting 4x degrees on idle and 7x degrees under heavy load.

trumpy81 said:

Make sure the cooler pump and fans are plugged into the correct fan headers on the MB. Your pump may not be spinning at the correct speed otherwise.

If you have another fan based cooler for the CPU try using that, even if only temporary.

Also, check for any switches or jumpers on the MB and make sure you have them set correctly.

Click to expand...

I don't have a replacment for the cooling. Just rechecked where they are plugged and are the right ones. Temps aren't an issue, i have a custom fan curve but for now i'm using default one (tried standard and silent, no big changes).

trumpy81 said:

If you are using M.2 drive/s, then make sure the contacts are clean and the drives are seated correctly.

Make sure any heat sinks are fitted correctly also.

Click to expand...

I did this yesterday when i replaced Samsung for Solidigm ones. Actually i'm using the Asus Hyper M.2 card, thermal compound is correctly set so heatsink is fit.

trumpy81 said:

After checking all of the above, enter your BIOS and then load the BIOS defaults and save them.

Click to expand...

I've cleared CMOS and loaded the default mobo configuration. Still having bsods trying to get into windows installation.

trumpy81 said:

Try booting up to Windows and check the CPU temps using Open Hardware Monitor or a similar program, if you are able to.

Click to expand...

There's no way to get in Windows until i install it, and the only way i managed to do that is by setting only 1 active P-Core and 1 active E-Core. If i increase the number, bsod festival starts.

zbook said:

Please see posting instructions:

BSOD - Posting Instructions

BSOD - Posting Instructions This will show you how to help provide needed information about your system and dump files. It will not contain any personal or sensitive information about you or your data. To get better help with your Windows BSOD issue, please read these instructions and follow...

www.elevenforum.com

How come the posting instructions were not seen or followed?

What webpage or website improvements could be made so that the posting instructions are seen?

Click to expand...

I'm sorry. I've seen it but as i can't even install Windows i can't attach the log. I guess i've followed the remanining instructions, but let me know if i missed any. I didn't said anything about overclocking because i've mainly tried to use all default settings, even XMP is off during many tries.

zbook said:

The two 32 GB RAM modules were seen on the QVL.

The four 16 GB RAM modules were not seen on the QVL.

Does the computer currently have two 32 GB or four 16GB RAM modules?

Click to expand...

I have both sets, i can switch them at any time. Right now i'm using the 2x32 one.

2x32 are QVL, working fine with default XMP.
4x16 are not QVL and after last mobo bios update (1801) they work with XMP but lowering speed to 6400 (or lesser).

Thanks for that. It never hurts to go over the simple things again, you just never know.

I am thinking you may have a bad iso download and that may explain the BSOD etc. If you are able to, download the Windows 11 .iso directly from Microsoft and try installing with that.

If possible, check the ASUS website for an updated BIOS or try an earlier BIOS, but do try to verify if the BIOS version supports your CPU or not, it should, but again, you never know.

You mentioned that you were able to install Windows 10. Once again, reload the BIOS Optimised Defaults, check that Secure Boot is set to Other OS and Fast Boot is disabled on the Boot tab, but do not make any other changes to the BIOS at all, then Save Changes & Reset.

Then try installing Windows 10 again, if possible. You can always setup the BIOS to your liking once you have established a stable working system. You can also update from Win10 to Win11 once you have a stable system.

When installing Windows, delete all partitions on your boot drive so that it is completely blank and let Windows setup the drive/partitions during the installation.

trumpy81 said:

Thanks for that. It never hurts to go over the simple things again, you just never know.

Click to expand...

Of course! That was the goal, try to point out anything i could have forget. Thank you!

trumpy81 said:

I am thinking you may have a bad iso download and that may explain the BSOD etc. If you are able to, download the Windows 11 .iso directly from Microsoft and try installing with that.

Click to expand...

I don't think this is the scenario, because i've used 4 different usb sticks and many isos (from microsoft media tool, from rufus (ms aswell), from nulled sites and from custom buidls (ghost spectre one). By the way, right now i'm creating again bootable usbs, redownloading isos and setting them on the sticks.

trumpy81 said:

If possible, check the ASUS website for an updated BIOS or try an earlier BIOS, but do try to verify if the BIOS version supports your CPU or not, it should, but again, you never know.

Click to expand...

Done, proccesor is compatible since 0731 (or something like that, can't recall) but i'm on 1801, a way newer one (newest one in fact, but i also had this trouble with the one which came from factory, 1501).

trumpy81 said:

You mentioned that you were able to install Windows 10. Once again, reload the BIOS Optimised Defaults, check that Secure Boot is set to Other OS and Fast Boot is disabled on the Boot tab, but do not make any other changes to the BIOS at all, then Save Changes & Reset.

Click to expand...

This was over a month ago, with many limitations on PC uses, i had many bsods per day.

A few days ago i got pissed of because i lost a lot of work because a bsod, so i decided to stop until i could get rid of any issues, so i formatted and wasn't able to install Windows anymore.
Until yesterday, when i managed to install it if i disable most of CPU cores, but once i activate them i usually can't boot into windows, it throws a bsod before logging in. By the way, i will try to disable fast boot, as secure boot is already set as Other OS for a while.

trumpy81 said:

Then try installing Windows 10 again, if possible. You can always setup the BIOS to your liking once you have established a stable working system. You can also update from Win10 to Win11 once you have a stable system.

When installing Windows, delete all partitions on your boot drive so that it is completely blank and let Windows setup the drive/partitions during the installation.

Click to expand...

Yes, that would be the goal. First thing make it work, then tune it. As a coder, i'm used to that :)

I always do a secure erase of ssd from bios each time i get a faulty installation, to be able to do a clean install.

Back after another round of tests.

New USB sticks, if i have all cores activated i can't install windows 10 or 11 (neither boot if i get it installed), bios settings doesn't matter at all.

Last try was with 1 P-Core activated and all E-Cores activated. Installed flawesly, a bit slow because of lack of P-Cores, with UEFI secure boot (no other OS), fast boot, XMP and all the things i'd like to activate after the install.

After that i called to the store and they agreed to change my CPU, but they also said that probably isn't CPU's fault but Motherboard fail, seems like they have a lot RMAs open with Asus mobos using DDR5, seems to be pretty unstable.

I don't know what to believe, but i'll ask to RMA again both components.

If someone has any other idea, i'm more than willing to listen.

Thank you all.

If you have such issues withe BIOS set to defaults (which would include not using the XMP for the RAM), a hardware fault seems likely.

I hope you don't run into the bit where the seller finds bent pins in the CPU socket, and refuses the return. I had that happen a year or so ago. (How would you prove that you weren't the cause of the damage? I was pretty confident that I didn't bend any pins in the Z690 socket. From now on, I'll inspect every MB before use, and photograph the LGA socket before doing an RMA. I admit that gets difficult when the pin count goes into the thousands.)

redsmaug said:

New USB sticks, if i have all cores activated i can't install windows 10 or 11 (neither boot if i get it installed), bios settings doesn't matter at all.

Click to expand...

That is quite bizarre, it should not matter how many cores the CPU is using and that is the main reason I asked you to use the Optimised Defaults. It does suggest an issue with the CPU and/or the motherboard.

If you can, ask if you are able to change the motherboard for something different to see if you can get a combination that works. CPU's rarely give issues, but motherboards do, so it makes sense to try another board if the current one is giving you this much grief.

bobkn said:

If you have such issues withe BIOS set to defaults (which would include not using the XMP for the RAM), a hardware fault seems likely.

I hope you don't run into the bit where the seller finds bent pins in the CPU socket, and refuses the return. I had that happen a year or so ago. (How would you prove that you weren't the cause of the damage? I was pretty confident that I didn't bend any pins in the Z690 socket. From now on, I'll inspect every MB before use, and photograph the LGA socket before doing an RMA. I admit that gets difficult when the pin count goes into the thousands.)

Click to expand...

I hope that is really related to Mobo or CPU (but it is weird, because as i stated on first post, all my components are brand new from RMAs i asked for between september and december). Btw i already unmounted all components, all mobo pins are okay, the store already acepted the RMA and i'm discussing with them about changing the model instead of a simple replacement.

trumpy81 said:

That is quite bizarre, it should not matter how many cores the CPU is using and that is the main reason I asked you to use the Optimised Defaults. It does suggest an issue with the CPU and/or the motherboard.

If you can, ask if you are able to change the motherboard for something different to see if you can get a combination that works. CPU's rarely give issues, but motherboards do, so it makes sense to try another board if the current one is giving you this much grief.

Click to expand...

As said, i have already accepted RMAs both from Intel itself and mobo's store. Will try to get a different mobo brand (thinking about MSI MEG Z790 ACE MAX and ASRock z790 Taichi, i was recomended to avoid both Asus and Gigabyte, if someone has a suggestion feel free to tell me), but at the very least i'll get a new CPU and Mobo in a week, maybe a couple weeks depending of shipments.

Will keep you posted once i get both components.

Thank you guys

I have not had good experience with MSI boards. They tend to work, but do give issues in my experience, nothing severe, just annoying, so I would probably look at the ASRock boards. I have not seen too many bad reports about them in recent years.

ASUS generally make good boards, I've not encountered any issues with them, except an AM3 board that lost the cooler mounting 'ears' off the CPU socket. I have had plenty of failed Gigabyte boards though, including one of my own builds where the SATA controller ended up giving lots of issues.

And yes, please keep us updated, I am curious to see if you can reach a suitable resolution to this issue. Of course, we want full rant mode showing how good things are once the issues have been resolved ... lol

I've liked Asus BIOS settings. I have a Gigabyte board that I swapped for the same type after some of its USB ports failed after about a week.

I don't know whether the complaints about either are based on the quality of the hardware or their support. I've found outsourced support to be pretty common, and unsatisfactory. (I usually have no problems with overseas accents, but tech support people who work from scripts aren't a lot better than what I might expect from generative AI. Which may be the next step in cheap support.)

redsmaug said:

I hope that is really related to Mobo or CPU (but it is weird, because as i stated on first post, all my components are brand new from RMAs i asked for between september and december). Btw i already unmounted all components, all mobo pins are okay, the store already acepted the RMA and i'm discussing with them about changing the model instead of a simple replacement.



As said, i have already accepted RMAs both from Intel itself and mobo's store. Will try to get a different mobo brand (thinking about MSI MEG Z790 ACE MAX and ASRock z790 Taichi, i was recomended to avoid both Asus and Gigabyte, if someone has a suggestion feel free to tell me), but at the very least i'll get a new CPU and Mobo in a week, maybe a couple weeks depending of shipments.

Will keep you posted once i get both components.

Thank you guys

Click to expand...

Hey man. Any updates? I’m having IDENTICAL issues. I’m in the process of RMAing my parts dealing with the same thing.

parkero1995 said:

Hey man. Any updates? I’m having IDENTICAL issues. I’m in the process of RMAing my parts dealing with the same thing.

Click to expand...

Hey,

I’ve got a new mobo (same model) from the rma, but I couldn’t test it because intel didn’t send me the new cpu yet. I’m hoping to have it early next week.

By the way my plan is to try it but I’m not hoping it will solve it, I’ll try the asrock taichi and a 1300w psu right after I confirm that I still have the issues.

I’ll update the post once I have news. Hope it can help you aswell!

I received the CPU.

I just mounted the PC and as it had a Win 11 installation (just the install, not even configured) i went from there. Was able to install Armoury Crate before setting it up (this program crashed a lot based on Even Viewer logs). After that i finished the installation and i downloaded all drivers and some basic programs.

UEFI has basic configuration (asus optimized + xmp I), so it's with TMP, keys, fast boot and default SVID.

I'm leaving it downloading some more programs and running Prime95 until tomorrow morning, let's see if PC doesn't reboot because of a bsod during the night. Tomorrow i will run a few 3D test and some heavy load usage.

Fingers crossed, everythinh was too smooth for now.

trumpy81 said:

I have not had good experience with MSI boards. They tend to work, but do give issues in my experience, nothing severe, just annoying, so I would probably look at the ASRock boards. I have not seen too many bad reports about them in recent years.

ASUS generally make good boards

Click to expand...

Asus=Usually excellent! MSI=The B450 Tomahawks are terrible! The Z490 Tomahawks look excellent. Same with their higher-tier Z590s.

For Intel, MSI looks A-OK with their MEG and MAG motherboards. Same goes for ACE.

Well, so far seems like it's working smoothly. I'm kinda surprised, had to rma 3x mobos, 3x cpus, 2x ssd, 2x ram until i got components that work together.

I'm quite happy right now, hope it doesn't start to bsod soon.