Latest PC installation facing software and driver problems
Latest PC installation facing software and driver problems
Build: Operating system - Windows 10
Processor: Intel i7 13700K
Cooling solution: DeepCool LT520 (front-mounted radiator)
Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix z690-e - BIOS version 2305
RAM: Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6400 CL32
GPU: Nvidia RTX 3070-Ti (ASUS TUF Gaming OC v2)
Power supply: Corsair RM850e - 850W
Storage: Samsung 980 Pro (1TB) - WD Black M.2 2TB
Two days prior, I collected my components at a nearby tech store and began assembling my third custom PC. After placing everything in the case and performing a thorough check of connections using the MOBO guide, I powered it on. It booted successfully and remained stable. I updated the BIOS via MOBO. Everything seems fine.
As with previous builds, I prefer a clean OS install—inserting the Windows 10 USB and proceeding through the setup. The process went smoothly without any interruptions.
Before diving into driver installation, I wanted to test shutdown and boot performance. I pressed Shift+Power, waited a moment, then turned it back on. The MOBO screen appeared, but the display went black. There was a video signal present, yet nothing appeared. This raised some concerns.
I suspected a possible corrupted installation, so I reinstalled the OS and powered off the machine to see if the issue persisted. It did again.
Continuing with the same approach, I installed the OS on the Samsung M.2 slot and booted into Windows. This time, after a few cold starts, I regained access to the operating system.
For troubleshooting, I ran MemTest86 on the MOBO BIOS, checked for RAM errors, and confirmed stability. The RAM replaced earlier performed well in testing.
The second challenge arose when attempting to install LAN drivers via USB from another machine. Despite downloading driver files and trying, I encountered difficulties installing the necessary ASUS drivers. After connecting an Ethernet cable and launching AsusSetup.exe, it failed to load. A background process appeared briefly before closing, but no changes occurred.
I explored online solutions and found a user reporting a replacement board that resolved the issue. This led me to consider replacing the motherboard. I removed the MOBO, returned it to the store, and installed a new one. After reinstalling the BIOS and ensuring proper placement, the system booted successfully from a cold start.
However, when attempting to install drivers from another computer, I still faced problems with the LAN drivers. It seems the issue may lie in the motherboard or driver compatibility rather than the OS itself.
In summary, I’m dealing with two main problems: inconsistent booting into a fresh OS after cold starts and trouble installing ASUS-specific drivers via USB. The root cause remains unclear, but potential fixes include updating the BIOS, testing different RAM modules, and verifying motherboard compatibility.
FB error linked to M2 module. AD refers to entering BIOS. Remove your 980 Pro from the system and use the WD instead. Possible drive problems might be causing odd startup behavior—issues appear more with this drive than others. If the issue continues, replace the 980 and remove the WD. After disconnecting the drive, perform a CMOS reset: pull the power cord, hold the power button for 10 seconds, short the CMOS reset pins or use the reset button for 10 seconds (as per your board), then reconnect power and attempt to boot again.
It's quite awkward how it turned out after six hours of seeking help. I handled the fix myself. The root cause was the Windows 10 installation USB I've kept for years. A 2016 version doesn't work with today's systems. Anyone facing this should verify the Windows 10 date on their media, particularly if they've been storing a USB for a long time.