System shuts down repeatedly and reinstallation isn't working.
System shuts down repeatedly and reinstallation isn't working.
Connect an additional external drive and attempt the Windows installation once more.
The alternative RAM failed completely, no POST occurred, suggesting incompatibility despite matching speeds and SODIM format. Both slots displayed identical issues, making it unclear why the SSD remains important since progress toward the Windows install stalled regardless of connection. I also tested another SSD without improvement, and when using a different drive it didn’t help much. Update: Running the Ubuntu live image is also problematic—it loads but doesn’t boot properly, just rebooting after file checks.
What type of mini PC are you looking for? Specifications differ greatly between models. Is there a detachable power source available? The issues you’re experiencing might stem from a malfunctioning power supply unit. Best of luck!
It's a standard mini PC setup with an i5-10310U processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB NVMe storage. The 12V @ 3A power supply seems fine, and I haven't encountered any other models like this before. I've tested several power supplies, but the issue might not be the supply itself—perhaps something internal is affecting performance. Safe mode could indicate a deeper problem, so it's worth checking the internal components or consulting the manufacturer's support.
Safe mode likely consumes less power than the full Windows version. It might be sufficient to create a noticeable impact. Many compact devices with comparable designs exist—ranging from Android TV boxes to MiniForum systems. Do you have any backup partition or restore capabilities on that device? It’s probably outdated, but if it functions, you can always obtain updates later. Is it possible to update the BIOS on this machine? Even reusing the same BIOS file may resolve certain errors. Remember to reset the CMOS afterward. Another option is to switch to a different power source or location; sometimes nearby electrical interference becomes apparent. I’m running out of ideas right now. The tiny sizes put extra stress on parts, often revealing burnt capacitors or resistors that cause issues. Is it worth investing in repairs? That’s a decision only you can make. If you take your computer to a repair shop, request a quote beforehand so you can decide confidently. Good luck!
@msacco Well you know one thing for sure now, it's not simply a software issue. Something is making a call to or loading a device driver for hardware that is malfunctioning. You have a good clue in the fact that it happens with both windows and ubuntu, BUT not win safe mode. Question now is what device is being called upon in the first two scenarios that isn't being called in safe mode. Maybe nic hardware. when you boot into safe mode are you doing it with networking enabled? if not try it and see if it fails. One other thing to do if you can is turn on verbose start-up, and see when /what is failing, but sadly I think that can only be done from within windows now. Used to able to hit F8 at boot and bring up a menu, don't think you can still do all the same options with Win 10-11. I may be wrong, I hope so. I had a similar issue once and that was how I figured it out, verbose boot, that way I was able to see the last thing that attempted to load. Can verbose boot logging be enabled on ubuntu? I honestly don't know. hopefully someone else can help you to enable boot logging of what is loading during boot.
After careful consideration, the issue likely lies with the network adapter. This is the only component I can recall that gets set up by Windows and Ubuntu at startup, yet it remains inactive in Windows Safe Mode unless you enable "Safe Mode with Networking." Make sure to choose that option in the Safe Mode settings; otherwise, the network drivers won't load and the adapter won't be activated.
You were completely right, I attempted to charge my PC directly from the 100AH lifepo4 battery and it functioned perfectly—just started up without any problems. It seems the real problem was related to power, not the supply itself. I didn’t encounter any issues trying different batteries, so it wasn’t a hardware fault. Thanks for your help!