Old hardware causes a crash when attempting to install Windows.
Old hardware causes a crash when attempting to install Windows.
Hi, I’m working on assembling a functional PC using only refurbished components and spent roughly 800 dollars on a solid build. Recently, installing Windows caused me to encounter blue screens with errors such as "irql_driver_equal_or_not" and "Driver_pnp_watchdog," along with kernel-related messages. I can still access my BIOS and all hardware appears to be present, though a recent BIOS update didn’t resolve the issue. I’m unsure what to do next. There’s a peculiar loading sequence where the Windows icon appears with spinning dots, followed by an unexpected power cycle, then a long wait before the screen freezes. My system specs include an NZXT N7 Z790 i9 13900KF, a temporary Kraken 360, H6 Flow 500GB SSD, a 1000W Cosair Gold rated PSU, 32GB DDR5 RAM (cosair vengeance 6000MHz), and a temporary XPG SSD. I’ve noticed one RAM slot seems damaged, but it isn’t being used—possibly a RAM issue.
You know about the Raptor lake cpu degradation right? Buying one of those cpus second hand is a huge risk of getting a degraded cpu. There's no fix if it's degraded. It could be other parts not working aswell. What you could do is to get a spare pc, perhaps borrow a friend's pc, and troubleshoot the parts with it.
This likely stems from memory training. The computer may need to restart several times to properly set up the DDR5 RAM. What’s unusual is the BSOD. These issues can arise from memory problems or faulty drivers. However, since you’re installing new RAM, it’s unlikely the problem is caused by bad drivers. Any damage to RAM slots is a serious concern. Even if you don’t use that slot, it might have worn contacts or burnt parts common across all slots on your motherboard. How widespread is the damage? It’s hard to check a RAM slot directly. I recommend testing your RAM on another machine. You can also examine it closely (using a flashlight and magnifying glass) to look for touching contacts or foreign objects inside. Good luck!
If the plastic is the sole affected part, it doesn't matter much. Issues become significant when contact or copper traces are compromised, or when solder has broken or cracked. It's still worth your effort to look for foreign items and damaged connections.
The spinning dots indicate Windows is beginning to load. Memory testing occurs before the BIOS, which means it's not just memory training. @Spoofies The pattern of BSOD errors often points to a memory problem. Memory might be RAM, the storage area due to the page file, or the CPU if the memory controller is inside it. RAM is straightforward to check—use one stick at a time. Did you install Windows while the drive was connected? If not, consider wiping the drive and installing via USB. If the issue persists, try a different SSD. Testing the CPU is difficult; usually you need to replace it and see if another CPU shares the same problem.