Issue with PC freezing or unexpected shutdowns while installing Windows.
Issue with PC freezing or unexpected shutdowns while installing Windows.
My son's gaming PC frequently froze at the Windows logo during startup, the login screen after boot, or shortly after logging in—usually within 10 to 12 seconds. I couldn't stay active in Windows for more than 20 seconds without it freezing. I tried basic troubleshooting, assuming a driver issue, but even entering Safe Mode didn't help. Once I accessed Windows, the same problems persisted. I attempted a system reset via Advanced Repair Tool, which also froze midway through. Any action seemed to lock the machine or cause it to restart. I also replaced a RAM module, but the issue continued. Eventually, I decided to reinstall Windows. It might be the fastest option. Using my work laptop, I made a fresh installation media on a thumb drive for Windows 10 Home x64. I chose Custom Install, removed the default partitions, and proceeded. The setup waved through, displayed Windows, and completed copying files, but froze during the "Getting files ready" step. Recently, it's been nearly unresponsive—only 0% freezing now. Yesterday it reached 40%, then restarted automatically and returned to the installation screen. It also freezes if I wait too long on the language or other settings. I cleared the CMOS, but that didn't resolve it. This situation is outside my technical expertise; I'm unsure what to do next. Anyone have suggestions? People have suggested checking RAM, power supply, or upgrading components, but I'm leaning toward replacing the whole machine and getting a new CPU and motherboard. My specs are: Ryzen 7 1800X, MSI 450 Gaming Plus Max MS-7B86, Radeon RX580, 8GB DDR4, Crucial Ballistics (2007), DD4-3000mhz (2x8) or XPG AData DD4-2400mhz (2x8), 1TB TM8PS7001T SSD, MSI Click Bios 5. The BIOS was from April 18, 2020, version E7B86AMS.H60.
I just updated the BIOS using the newest version after resetting CMOS, but I'm still stuck in that freezing area between copying files and getting ready for installation. It's happening in UEFI mode if you're interested. I repeated this process twice after the post, and once it reached 1%, the PC restarted and returned me to the Windows setup screen.
You're planning to place an order online right now. For brands, avoid those known for quality issues and consider reputable options. Regarding the setup, staying too long on the main Windows setup screen without completing it can cause freezing. A random reboot during setup might indicate a power supply problem, as you mentioned it often points to such issues.
I tend to be very particular about SSDs. The budget pick is the Crucial MX500 (not the BX500). The mid-range choice is a Samsung Evo, just any model that's recently released. Yeah, that makes it tough to pinpoint the main causes of PC problems—malware, PSU, motherboard, hard drive, RAM. It could be anything from the hard drive itself to something simple like trying it out.
Recent Update: Installed a new SSD (Samsung 970 EVO Plus) and PSU (Corsair CX650M). System remains slow and won’t install Windows properly. During the file setup phase, it freezes repeatedly or restarts unexpectedly. If I waited too long in the installation prompts, it would freeze even more, especially at the language selection screen. It seems I had limited time before a crash occurred, and how quickly I moved through the options affected how deep the process went. I removed the cable covers so the new PSU connects directly to the motherboard and GPU. I’ve tested two different RAM configurations—one passed memory testing with no errors. I also swapped the GPU with one from his brother’s machine. The only consistent issue now is random reboots. It used to freeze before, but now it freezes both ways. Assuming the problem isn’t in the BIOS, here are my thoughts: #1. Faulty CPU cooler causing overheating (likely a Deep Cool GAMMAXX 400 or similar) with one fan blowing air. #2. Defective CPU (I can replace it tomorrow). #3. MOBO quality issue. #4. Thermal paste is too old and needs reapplication, possibly causing overheating. Anyone have suggestions?
Hello, I managed to resolve my issue. My problem began with occasional freezes every two weeks. I reinstalled using a USB with the Windows Media Creator, which helped me delete partitions. However, the installation kept restarting during file copying and has not progressed beyond 20% of the copy. I attempted it with both Windows 10 and Windows 11, but both faced the same issue—Windows 10 would only install once before restarting or freezing. I updated the BIOS to MoBo B450HM 6.3, yet the problem persisted. I disconnected all disks except the installation location, removed the graphics card and used one from a Ryzen 7 5700G CPU. I tested each RAM module in different slots, changed the thermal paste, and adjusted BIOS settings, but nothing worked. Now my computer runs Ubuntu 24.04 smoothly with all components installed and virtual machines working without issues. I’m still unsure what caused the problem and found no solution with old Windows 10 ISO files using Rufus. It’s really frustrating. I even tried using outdated Windows 10 images, but they didn’t help. My goal was to rule out hardware issues like CPU, memory, or graphics card.