Two Distinct, Terrifying, and Unaccounted For Pests
Two Distinct, Terrifying, and Unaccounted For Pests
I've been using the same Windows version for quite some time, through various system upgrades. I suspected potential driver problems but didn't encounter anything specific, so I didn't attempt a reinstall. I never moved to Windows 10, as I heard concerns about privacy and file paths, opting instead to wait for Windows 11, which had just been released. For a long period, my system performed well without major issues, but recently it began experiencing random crashes. These often occurred when the computer stayed on for extended periods or when performing CPU-heavy tasks, though sometimes they happened without warning.
The growing number of games and software that no longer functioned on Windows 7 and 8 also prompted me to consider an upgrade. Although the crashes were resolved and my latest titles ran smoothly, my system would suddenly experience significant input lag. This manifested as brief pauses followed by a faint beep before returning to normal operation. These interruptions happened regularly—sometimes every minute, other times just a few seconds—and resetting the PC helped, though it wasn't a practical fix.
When my PC ran too long or ran demanding tasks, it would frequently freeze for 1-2 seconds, then restart normally. This pattern repeated consistently. While resetting the computer provided some relief, it wasn't a viable solution when I was playing games that triggered an immediate "hang" state.
Given these challenges, I concluded my current Windows version was no longer viable. After years of software usage, something had clearly gone wrong. I replaced the existing SSD and performed a clean installation of Windows 11. I transferred as many files as possible from my old drive and reinstalled all my applications. The process succeeded, except for modern games that still couldn't launch on my fresh Windows 11 setup.
I suspected an issue with the driver installation or file transfer, but even after formatting the drive and starting a clean install, the same problems persisted. Each game had its own error—some wouldn't load at all, others crashed immediately, and some froze on the first frame. I tested multiple games using different engines and reinstalled them to rule out recognition issues, but nothing worked. The errors varied, leaving me with no clear indication of what was causing the problems.
Currently, I have two hard drives running Windows 11, each with distinct issues: one causes severe input lag, while the other completely blocks modern software. I have no idea which problem originated from my previous installation or file transfer. My system specs are as follows:
- OS: Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 21H2 (OS Build 22000.739/22000.708, for First/Second drives)
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 2700X Eight-Core Processor at 3.70 GHz
- RAM: 24.0GB Dual-Channel Unknown @ 1066MHz
- Motherboard: Micro-Star International Co. Ltd. B350 TOMAHAWK (MS-7A34) (AM4)
- Graphics: 8176MB ATI Radeon RX Vega (ASUStek Computer Inc)
- Power Supply: EVGA Supernova 850 G2
I resolved the issue with my more recent install, discovering that modern games required a dependency on Windows Media Foundation. Since I hadn't used default video players and assumed WMF wasn't needed, I didn't realize it was necessary. However, some games still demanded an installed Media Foundation for their cutscenes.
Despite these challenges, I'm confident in the fact that I can still manage without further complications, as I can easily transfer my settings.
What processor is it using? Which drives are involved, and what models do they come with? Which titles won't run? How old are they? Have you explored compatibility settings? What issues arise for each game? All the things I skipped are likely in 11, 12, and 13... it's unlikely to revert. Are there only games that cause problems?
List detailed specifications including power supply unit and operating system build version. The processor model is unclear but may relate to an older Ryzen based on GPU characteristics. It might require around 3200 speed RAM to reach full performance, though this could be influenced by PSU quality. A 550 to 750 watt PSU would work, with higher wattage needing better quality. It’s not advisable to use a low-quality PSU for gaming. You can run a Vega 64 model on a 550 to 750 watt power supply. A high-quality unit is recommended for optimal performance.
Win10 and Win11 are essentially similar in terms of privacy, yet they provide ample choices to block most data collection. Additionally, both versions have been shown to boost game performance compared to older Windows releases, whether or not Game Mode is enabled. I would recommend setting one up on an SSD with your games.