Unable to start Windows.
Unable to start Windows.
System details for Windows 11 Pro motherboards from Asus Crosshair 6. CPU model: 5700X (previously had 1700X, still functioning well). RAM: 16 GB GSKILL DDR4 3200. Graphics: Radion VII Power Supply with Seasonic 850 Prime Titanium storage (960 EVO 500 GB). Secondary drives: Samsung 850 500 GB (holds most irreplaceable files, photos, videos; backup online), WD Red 4TB (minimal use now), and a 2TB SSD containing game files. Recently, the machine worked fine while playing V Rising before going offline. After waking up, it crashed and the screen went dark. Restarted multiple times but kept failing to boot normally. Checked boot order, forced boot, and confirmed no overclocking in BIOS. Attempted reinstallation from boot disk but required full restart or BIOS access. Installed on WD Red also failed consistently. MB BIOS updated to 8702 didn’t resolve the issue. Occasionally the BIOS seemed stuck on an arrow key, resolving temporarily with a restart. More details would help narrow down the solution.
This situation might involve several issues, so it's crucial to pinpoint which part isn't functioning properly. Before starting troubleshooting, consider clearing the CMOS memory. Disconnect the power source, remove the coin cell battery, and press the power button a few times (or follow the device’s guidance). If the system continues to enter BIOS mode, proceed with further checks. Remove all connected drives except the boot drive—they’re essential at this stage. Any additional peripherals such as printers, webcams, or gamepads should be taken out. Power on using the Windows USB installer. When prompted about installation location, select manual partitioning and erase everything on the boot drive. Install in the remaining unallocated space. If the system restarts during installation, ensure it boots from the boot drive, not the USB device. In extreme cases, disconnect the USB installer before rebooting to prevent interference. If installation fails, remove the boot drive and try a different storage device for testing. The WD HDD is safe since it contains minimal data. If you still face difficulties installing Windows, inspect RAM, GPU, cables, connectors, CPU connections, etc. If problems persist, consider testing each component individually on another machine to isolate the faulty part. Good luck!