PC Fails to Install Anything, Including Drivers, and Runs Extremely Slowly. Tech Mystery
PC Fails to Install Anything, Including Drivers, and Runs Extremely Slowly. Tech Mystery
Hello All!
This is my first time posting here, so please give me some patience if I need to clarify anything or answer any questions. This might be a lengthy message, so I'll keep it brief! Thank you!
I set up my PC in January this year, and everything worked well until last Thursday. Suddenly, my browser tabs kept crashing, applications wouldn't launch, and if I persisted the whole system would display a BSOD. (I think it was something like "KMOD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED"). This posed a challenge for me because I'm a streamer and content creator, so I quickly suspected that my Windows or SSD might be corrupted.
To summarize my troubleshooting:
First, I attempted to format or delete partitions from my SSD and reinstall Windows using a USB installation media. But whenever I booted through the USB, my mouse cursor would rapidly display the hourglass/loading icon, the screen would go black, and then after a few seconds the motherboard splash screen would appear, forcing me back to the USB. This made it nearly impossible to even reinstall Windows, leading me to believe my SSD might be faulty. I then purchased a new SSD of the same brand and model, but the problem persisted.
Second, I considered that the issue might lie with my motherboard for various reasons, so I bought a replacement (same make and model), updated the BIOS, and tried again. Still, the same problems arose. I could enter the BIOS without issues, so I decided to run Asus's built-in Memtest to check for RAM problems. All four RAM sticks tested normal, which only added to my confusion. I eventually gave up for a while, letting a few hours pass. When I returned and tried again, I managed to complete the Windows installation without changes and was thrilled to install Windows 11. However, once I logged back into the desktop, I noticed my PC was running extremely poorly—browser tabs kept crashing (especially when typing quickly), software would freeze, and installation failed altogether.
The installation problems were clear: I encountered issues installing drivers for my motherboard. Asus provided "AsusSetup" files, but they wouldn't open or launch properly. The task manager would show them briefly before closing. I saw some drivers install without prompts, but that didn't seem to be the case here. My device manager confirmed no drivers were being installed. I also tried downloading GeForce Experience and the Nvidia app, but both failed to install—GeForce Experience would crash, and the Nvidia app would simply close. Running the "Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool" revealed a failing CPU (ICM test), but after five retests it passed. Occasionally, I'd experience a BSOD, mostly due to NTFS errors or driver overruns.
I've been building PCs since I was 16, and I'm not an expert. This is the first time I've faced a complete inability to resolve an issue. I feel like the problem goes beyond hardware and might be some kind of curse.
I want to stress that I've replaced the motherboard, SSD, tested RAM with Memtest, checked CPU and installed Windows 11 multiple times (including trying Windows 10), and even reinstalled the GPU. The only components I haven't tested yet are my GPU and PSU.
I'm still completely stuck on what to do next. I've tried various fixes like changing BIOS settings, resetting it to factory defaults, and ensuring UEFI mode. But I've mentioned all the steps I took.
My PC specifications:
CPU: Intel Core i9-14900k
Memory: 2 x Corsair 32GB Vengeance RGB DDR5 (64GB total)
M.2: Samsung 990 Pro 4TB PCIe 2280
GPU: Yeston SA GeForce RTX 4070 TI Super GDDR6X 16GB (256bit)
Power Supply: Corsair RM1200x Shift Fully Modular ATX (80 Plus Gold)
I truly need any guidance or advice, as I'm at a complete loss about where to start next.
Other performance choices are available.
The system is running at the Intel baseline.
It seems your CPU may have experienced a deterioration fault due to extended use with an unpatched BIOS in extreme performance mode.
This suggests a CPU replacement might be needed.
Which BIOS version are you currently using?
Please update to the latest BIOS version.
Use integrated graphics instead of discrete cards. Install a single RAM module in slot A2, turn off XMP settings and adjust the DRAM voltage to 1.25V. Monitor CPU temperatures. Identify the CPU cooler you are employing. Update the BIOS to the most recent release. Configure CPU power limits according to Intel baseline values: PL1 125W, PL2 188W, Iccmax 249A. Intel has released additional updates to resolve instability problems in certain 13th and 14th Gen Core i5/i7 processors, focusing on these models.
I understood I should add something.
I own an Asus Rog Ryujin 3 with a 360 water cooler.
Usually my CPU idles around 40 to mid-50s Celsius, and during streaming it reaches the 70s, keeping things comfortable.
Right now I’m having difficulty reading my temperature because I can’t use the Armory Crate or the screen on the cooler, and I’m unable to install the necessary software.
I’ll attempt the rest of what you shared if possible and respond again later!
Did the rest of what you mentioned work best for me?
I removed the GPU and used integrated graphics.
Used a single RAM configuration in A2 mode.
In the BIOS I adjusted the performance settings from Extreme to Performance, turned off Intel adaptive boost, and set CPU core/cache limits to auto. This kept them within the recommended range.
I checked the AI tweaker menu in my BIOS but didn’t find a way to fully adjust those values manually.
I restarted the PC and went back into Windows, but the problems persisted—software failed to install, drivers and apps didn’t open.
You were asking if I should do a fresh installation with the current BIOS settings?
I also tried running a DISM restorehealth, which failed around 50%.
Here are the images showing the 7zip data error, chipset install failure, and restorehealth failure.
https://imgur.com/a/0cis3co
Other performance choices are available.
The system is running at the Intel baseline.
It seems your CPU may have experienced a deterioration fault due to extended use with an unpatched BIOS in extreme performance mode.
This suggests a CPU replacement might be needed.
Which BIOS version are you currently using?
Please update to the latest BIOS version.
I tried several methods to create the Windows 11 USB stub. I used Rufus with the ISO+Rufus tool, or I booted from a Windows installation environment to fix issues. If you need file paths and a command prompt, I can guide you through that process.
I also considered using the winRE environment to open a CMD prompt and adjust settings accordingly. This approach can help if you're working with specific file locations and commands.
If you run Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) from a USB, the operating system installed on the USB may differ from that on your main drive. This can affect file paths and commands.
Alternatively, you could simply reset the partitions and restart Windows Setup again.
I haven’t encountered any previous issues with 'Intel Chipset device error - failure - unknown error.' My search only found old discussions about Windows 10 systems running Windows 8.1. This situation seems different, possibly due to incorrect drivers or OS corruption.
It might be related to the power supply or the drive itself, as some NVMe drives don’t have a letter assigned on the host drive.
Corsair RXMX drives are generally reliable, but if you're still unsure, checking the installer source for your 990pro model could help.
A BIOS update might be necessary, as Intel microcode updates can affect compatibility. If you're comfortable with it, running an Intel diagnostic tool could provide more insight.
The hardware itself is likely the issue—consider testing with a different power supply or NVMe device if possible.
> I've never used Rufus before. I simply downloaded the win11 installation media off the Microsoft site.
> as far as using the USB to boot, I was only doing that to install win11, now that Its installed Ive been running CMD (like when i did DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth) from my actual desktop so im assuming the paths should be fine.
> I do have an alternative PSU, Its brand new but i havent tried it as I assumed the issue wasnt stemming from that. I can Try it though of course! and I have tried different Nvme, I actually bought a new 990 to replace my original one and still ran into the same issue.
> I can Try switching the ISO to the ms multi install, although I would prefer to Do this somewhat last, as that would require me to reinstall windows, and that runs the risk of me being locked in the Restart Loop I was in again, unable to get back to my actual desktop. But I will try this if all else fails!
>I do agree that there is somehow Wrong drivers or OS corruption, Ive thought that Somehow (perhaps my cpu deteriorating) is causing windows to fail installation but not fully, allowing me to get to my desktop after install but the pathing and files being FUBAR.
> I have done a bios update! and on top of that when I Got my replacement motherboard i tried it with the non-updated version, then again with the updated bios. Neither worked.
> if theres an intel app to run a check on the microcode or w/e That would be immensely helpful! i am on my desktop atm, I was able to somehow get it online through brute force, but i can do little more than open my browser and Type responses here. I'll have to look to see if i can find the app but if you have it I'd love a link!
>I'm Desperate and ordered both a new i9-14900k and a new i7-14700k, the first to see if its my specific cpu thats deteriorated, and the second to see if perhaps a more stable cpu will work better. and i'll return one or both depending on the results tomorrow.
the only choices were very extreme and performance settings in the dropdown for performance preference
it could be a sign of cpu issues, and that’s the only explanation that makes sense given how much I’ve upgraded my pc. i mentioned in another message that i bought both a new i9-14900k and a new i7-14700k, the first to check if my specific cpu is deteriorating and the second to see if a more stable one would perform better. i’ll send back one or both tomorrow depending on the outcomes.
bios version 3001, 3/7/2025. i updated it originally when i got this new moba a few days ago, and i think it’s the latest version.
Would you really prefer the cheapest option if it works? What’s important on your desktop? Here’s the link to the app if you missed it:
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/...-tool.html
I changed a Samsung 990pro to an identical one, but it’s making a loud troubleshooting noise. I’m trying to figure out if the Rufus +ISO method avoids some old driver in the Windows ISO or something similar.