F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Problem with Acer Nitro N50-640 – won’t start at all

Problem with Acer Nitro N50-640 – won’t start at all

Problem with Acer Nitro N50-640 – won’t start at all

D
Dblox
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08-21-2025, 12:30 AM
#1
Hi everyone, I'm facing a tricky problem with my Acer Nitro N50 (DG.E2VEQ.004). The system specs are as follows: CPU – Intel Core i5‑12400F; GPU – Nvidia RTX 3060; RAM – 16 GB DDR4 (2x8GB, 3200 MHz); Storage – 512 GB NVMe SSD plus 1 TB Seagate HDD; Motherboard – Intel B660 OS.

I can boot Live USBs and various operating systems without trouble—everything seems to work smoothly. The GPU appears to be detected and runs without crashes. However, installing Windows 11 causes a persistent "Windows could not be installed" error. Linux installations seem fine but get stuck after login on the first boot. Any OS I install boots either to SSD or HDD, but after logging in I see a gray screen, with no further issues. This happens regardless of whether I use an SSD or HDD, or switch between Windows and Linux.

I've tried several fixes: ran MemTest86 (no RAM errors), performed CPU stress tests (no overheating), updated NVIDIA drivers (temporary fix for graphics glitches), disabled Secure Boot, switched to UEFI/Legacy modes, swapped drives, wiped partitions, and reinstalled OS multiple times. I haven’t updated the BIOS yet.

I suspect a VMD/RST conflict might be involved, but I’m not sure if it’s enabled or required for this B660 board. As a developer with prior OS installations, the issue appeared suddenly. I used the system normally in the morning, then returned later; after logging into Windows, only a gray screen appeared. Since then, no OS boots from internal storage.

Could the motherboard, storage controller, or VMD settings be the culprit? Any advice on BIOS tweaks (VMD, SATA/NVMe, UEFI adjustments) or firmware issues would be greatly appreciated. Also, any specific guidance for Acer or this B660 chipset? Thanks in advance!
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D
Dblox
08-21-2025, 12:30 AM #1

Hi everyone, I'm facing a tricky problem with my Acer Nitro N50 (DG.E2VEQ.004). The system specs are as follows: CPU – Intel Core i5‑12400F; GPU – Nvidia RTX 3060; RAM – 16 GB DDR4 (2x8GB, 3200 MHz); Storage – 512 GB NVMe SSD plus 1 TB Seagate HDD; Motherboard – Intel B660 OS.

I can boot Live USBs and various operating systems without trouble—everything seems to work smoothly. The GPU appears to be detected and runs without crashes. However, installing Windows 11 causes a persistent "Windows could not be installed" error. Linux installations seem fine but get stuck after login on the first boot. Any OS I install boots either to SSD or HDD, but after logging in I see a gray screen, with no further issues. This happens regardless of whether I use an SSD or HDD, or switch between Windows and Linux.

I've tried several fixes: ran MemTest86 (no RAM errors), performed CPU stress tests (no overheating), updated NVIDIA drivers (temporary fix for graphics glitches), disabled Secure Boot, switched to UEFI/Legacy modes, swapped drives, wiped partitions, and reinstalled OS multiple times. I haven’t updated the BIOS yet.

I suspect a VMD/RST conflict might be involved, but I’m not sure if it’s enabled or required for this B660 board. As a developer with prior OS installations, the issue appeared suddenly. I used the system normally in the morning, then returned later; after logging into Windows, only a gray screen appeared. Since then, no OS boots from internal storage.

Could the motherboard, storage controller, or VMD settings be the culprit? Any advice on BIOS tweaks (VMD, SATA/NVMe, UEFI adjustments) or firmware issues would be greatly appreciated. Also, any specific guidance for Acer or this B660 chipset? Thanks in advance!

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Olewww123
Senior Member
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08-21-2025, 12:30 AM
#2
Sounds like a driver issue of sorts. What is the exact error code you get in Windows when it says "Windows could not be installed " ? Get help with Windows upgrade and installation errors - Microsoft Support
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O
Olewww123
08-21-2025, 12:30 AM #2

Sounds like a driver issue of sorts. What is the exact error code you get in Windows when it says "Windows could not be installed " ? Get help with Windows upgrade and installation errors - Microsoft Support

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xXAguaMarineXx
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168
08-21-2025, 12:30 AM
#3
The system encountered an installation failure. Earlier today, I observed visual glitches on both screens while streaming YouTube. I suspected a graphics driver problem and updated the driver for my RTX 3060, which resolved the issue. After a short break, I rebooted and successfully logged into Windows 11. Upon restarting again, the display turned black. A restart didn’t fix it. Booting Ubuntu from a USB worked, and I performed some GPU and RAM checks. These tests had previously passed with MemTest86, and the CPU handled stress testing well. Still, installing OS on HDD or SSD always leads to installation failure or a grey screen afterward.
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X
xXAguaMarineXx
08-21-2025, 12:30 AM #3

The system encountered an installation failure. Earlier today, I observed visual glitches on both screens while streaming YouTube. I suspected a graphics driver problem and updated the driver for my RTX 3060, which resolved the issue. After a short break, I rebooted and successfully logged into Windows 11. Upon restarting again, the display turned black. A restart didn’t fix it. Booting Ubuntu from a USB worked, and I performed some GPU and RAM checks. These tests had previously passed with MemTest86, and the CPU handled stress testing well. Still, installing OS on HDD or SSD always leads to installation failure or a grey screen afterward.

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