The PC freezes during startup even when using a bootable USB drive?
The PC freezes during startup even when using a bootable USB drive?
Hey everyone,
Yesterday, while using my PC normally, it suddenly froze completely—like it was stuck in time. The keyboard and mouse stopped responding, and I had to perform a hard restart. However, once it reached Windows startup, it froze again. I repeated the process several times, but it still freezes after the BIOS loads (the photo shows it just getting stuck).
Additionally, I can access the BIOS settings smoothly and without any freezing or errors. I also waited an hour to see if it would freeze, but the BIOS ran normally.
I considered that my SSD might be corrupted, so I removed it and connected it to another PC. I formatted it and installed a fresh Windows 10. After running chkdsk and formatting, everything worked fine. Still, when I put it back onto my main PC, it would freeze during boot.
I’ve tried various troubleshooting steps:
- Booted from a bootable USB (Linux Mint and Windows 10 Installer) still freezing.
- Swapped RAM and tested each stick individually—all passed on MemTest.
- Removed the GPU and used integrated graphics.
- Disconnected all USB devices and RGB/fan headers.
- Stayed in BIOS for over 30 minutes.
- Set CPU power limit to 65W, assuming overheating; CPU temps in BIOS are normal (around 40°C).
- Inspected the motherboard—no bent pins or damage found.
- Reset BIOS to defaults and even reset the CMOS battery.
- Tried launching CMD or recovery tools during Windows setup, but it froze too.
- No debug LEDs or beeps from the motherboard.
- Opened the PC with only one RAM stick and integrated graphics—still freezing.
My specs are:
- CPU: Intel i9-13900
- Motherboard: MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4, BIOS version 7D96v1E (released 2025-04-21)
- RAM: 64GB DDR4 3200MHz (4x16GB)
- GPU: Red Devil RX 6800XT
- SSD: Samsung 980 & WD Black
- PSU: FSP Hydro G 850W Gold (1 year old)
- Cooler: NZXT Kraken Elite 360 AIO
At this stage, the only possibilities are CPU or motherboard issues. Without an extra CPU to test, I’m not sure which one is the real problem.
If anyone has faced a similar issue or has suggestions, please share your thoughts. I’d really appreciate any advice before considering a replacement.
Welcome to the forums, newcomer!
PSU:
FSP Hydro G 850W Gold
What is the age of your power supply?
Motherboard:
MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 (Latest BIOS)
For clarity, please state the BIOS version instead of saying latest.
You didn’t mention your discrete GPU in your specifications.
Attempted to run CMD or diagnostic tools during Windows recovery start-up, but it also freezes.
It seems like you might have faced the annoying degradation problem for your CPU. If the same issue appears on another motherboard with the correct BIOS version, then it’s likely your CPU.
I see you’ve listed more than one drive in your storage. Have you checked if both drives are pending a firmware update on a donor PC?
RAM:
64GB DDR4 3200MHz (4x16GB)
Do you have a link to this RAM kit? Have you tested using just two sticks in slots A2 and B2?
So I have two PCs, the main one with the boot issue and a second backup PC. I transferred the SSD from the main PC to the backup PC to verify if the problem was with that SSD, but it turned out not to be. I reformatted it and installed Windows on it just to confirm. Then I reinstalled it on the main PC, which still doesn’t boot properly and keeps freezing afterward. Just to clarify, while installing Windows on the SSD on the backup PC, I made sure no other SSDs were connected.
Thank you for your message. However, the device you currently have isn't a brand-new build; it was assembled two years ago and has been functioning well until now.
I'm not entirely clear on how this would function because the equipment on your second PC differs from the example provided.
I wanted to confirm my actions were correct—I wasn’t attempting to boot a Windows installation from another PC onto my primary one. I just checked whether the SSD was malfunctioning. I removed the SSD from my Main PC, which was experiencing freezing issues, and connected it to my second PC to verify if the drive itself was the cause. After formatting the SSD and installing a fresh copy of Windows on it using the second PC, I reinstalled it back onto my main PC. The ongoing freezing still occurred, confirming that the SSD wasn’t the issue. My intention was not to transfer a functional OS but to assess the drive’s condition and rule out its role as the problem.
Hello, sorry for the delayed response; perhaps I overlooked your earlier comment.
PSU is now one year old.
Motherboard BIOS version 7D96v1E, released on 2025-04-21.
My Discrete GPU is a PowerColor Red Devil RX 6800 XT.
Both SSDs/Storage drives have been transferred to my backup PC for inspection. They are functioning well, with no updates needed and no issues detected by cristaldiskinfo or chkdsk.
For RAM, I’ve also completed a full Memtest run. Here’s the link to the RAM kit: https://www.gskill.com/product/165/166/1...16D-32GTZR
I attempted to open CMD and other diagnostic tools from the Windows Recovery Environment, but it freezes frequently, preventing troubleshooting. I’ve also heard about Intel CPU degradation concerns, and it seems plausible this could be the reason. I intend to test the CPU on another motherboard with a compatible BIOS soon to verify. If it exhibits the same freezing behavior, I’ll be certain it’s the processor issue.
It seems the issue is likely related to the CPU. You've already confirmed the RAM is fine. MoBo might be the problem, but typically when MoBo fails, the system won't even start, let alone boot into BIOS. For a clear answer, try testing on another compatible machine. If the CPU functions properly, it won't produce BSoD errors and will run benchmarks well, pointing MoBo as the cause. You might also consider sending your system to a repair shop for detailed diagnostics. Running diagnostics on just the CPU could help, but a full system check is more reliable since technicians can assess the entire build.
Thank you for your feedback. Yes, I can enter BIOS and stay there smoothly without any issues or freezes, even when trying to boot any OS. Just recently, I encountered problems at the nearest PC shop—it's two hours away and it's raining heavily in the Philippines. I’m hoping I can get this resolved quickly so I can secure a warranty, and I’d like to check if it qualifies for an extended warranty for 13th generation devices.