Issue with installing Windows - system fails to restart and indicates a failed Bitlocker encryption.
Issue with installing Windows - system fails to restart and indicates a failed Bitlocker encryption.
My PC has been experiencing boot and restart difficulties, so I attempted to reinstall Windows. The issue is that I can't finish the installation since the PC stops restarts near the end—only a black screen appears. I've recently upgraded my power supply and installed a new motherboard. Do you think I should try various BIOS settings to see if one resolves the problem, or is there another reason? Clearing CMOS and rebooting should let me access CMD and the BIOS.
I mentioned having a new motherboard, but I'm not sure if that's when the issue started. Could you clarify which motherboard and CPU you're referring to?
I was checking for issues and considered it could be hardware-related. I don't think the new motherboard is the cause. Now I'm using an Asus Z790-A II with an Intel Core i7-14700K.
I suspect you're experiencing trouble after the final reboot before the computer restarts, with the installer asking to wait while Windows prepares your desktop. If this is correct, wait until the machine is fully in the loop and then remove the USB Windows installer. Let it complete its task as if you hadn't taken the USB out.
You're correct about the situation. I removed the install boot usb before the PC reboots, yet the monitor shows 'DisplayPort No Signal'. It seems like the issue occurred during installation when Windows was loading and after exiting BIOS. I'm not sure if it's related to graphics drivers, but I'm unsure how to change NVidia drivers without accessing Windows. I searched for solutions using Cmd but didn't find any relevant information. Just a note - I have an i7-14700K and might try enabling the iGPU in BIOS and test installation via HDMI instead. I'll follow up with more details.
I turned on the iGPU in the BIOS and connected the DP cable to the motherboard — nothing happened. The same occurred when I plugged in a HDMI cable. When I connected HDMI from the PC to another monitor and tried to use my TV, it still showed 'No Display'.
I’m considering either a GPU driver problem or a faulty GPU. Another possibility is the SSD, but I ran a WMI command in CMD that showed health as 'ok'. Still, I’m not sure if everything is fine or if there are boot issues.
Need some advice.
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I recently attempted to install POP OS with NVidia support on my PC, and initially everything proceeded smoothly – the installation started correctly and displayed the expected screens. However, during the process a restart occurred, similar to what happened during the previous Windows setup, and the computer failed to come back online, showing a 'No Display' alert once more. Eventually, I had to forcefully shut down by pressing the power button.
I also searched for guidance on creating a bootable POP OS from a flash drive, but I don’t have two USB drives available as required.
Before starting this installation, I disabled secure boot in the BIOS, following the recommended steps. Based on my experience, I believe I can only boot from a USB if I first turn off the PC, then clear the CMOS, restart, and finally enter the BIOS to adjust boot options.
So far, with these adjustments, I’ve managed to install a new motherboard, CPU, and power supply unit. Initially, I suspected this issue might stem from reusing the boot SSD from my old Asus motherboard with the new one, though I’m not certain.
Just a note – during the last Windows installation, I encountered problems with Acronis backups where the backup would finish and then automatically restart. I reinstalled Acronis because I had the new motherboard, but it didn’t resolve the backup issue. I now think I should have installed Acronis fresh after setting up the new hardware, though I’m unsure if this is related to the boot problems I experienced before purchasing the new motherboard.
EDIT: I recently removed the GPU and cleaned the contacts. I also took the CMOS battery out for a while and replaced it. The 12VHPWR RGB extension cable from the GPU was removed, and the PSU 12VHPWR cable was connected directly. Unfortunately, this didn’t help – when trying to install Windows from the boot USB, the system still blacked out or displayed no screen.
I attempted several solutions: changing BIOS versions, toggling between UEFI and legacy boot, clearing CMOS, removing the GPU and contacts, swapping cables, updating drivers, adjusting monitor settings, cleaning components, applying thermal pads, and more. I also tried different monitors, TV connections, USB peripherals, and even changed the monitor resolution and refresh rate.
I also experimented with different cables – a DP cable to another monitor, HDMI to PC, and other configurations – but nothing resolved the issue.
If I recall correctly, this boot problem began after trying Bitlocker on the boot drive, which failed.
EDIT:
*What I have tried:*
- Used various motherboard BIOS versions.
- Switched between UEFI and legacy boot modes.
- Cleared CMOS on the motherboard.
- Removed the CMOS battery temporarily.
- Disconnected the GPU and cleaned contacts before reinstalling.
- Cut out the 12VHPWR RGB cable from the GPU and plugged the PSU directly.
- Changed motherboards, CPUs, and PSUs.
- Switched to a more powerful power supply.
- Removed extra SSDs, relying only on the boot SSD.
- Adjusted monitor settings when Windows was accessible.
- Tested different monitors (HDMI cable).
- Connected TV via HDMI.
- Used DP cable to another monitor.
- Disconnected extra USB devices, leaving keyboard and mouse plugged in.
- Cleaned contacts and reinserted the boot SSD.
- Applied new thermal pads to the boot SSD.
- Replaced RAM sticks.
- Checked temperatures – all normal.
- Verified that the DP or HDMI cable was properly connected.
- When Windows was working, changed monitor resolution and refresh rate.
- Used a different monitor (HDMI cable).
- Plugged in another USB device.
- Cleaned contacts and reseated the boot SSD.
- Applied fresh thermal paste to CPU and AIO.
- Rechecked RAM installation.
- Monitor temperatures remained stable, and no motherboard warning lights stayed on.
- Used fresh Windows boot USB software.
- Ensured DP or HDMI cable was always connected correctly.
- Reinstalled chipset drivers when Windows failed to boot.
Still, I’m unable to resolve this issue with my current setup.