Unusual startup problem linked to the Windows logo might connect to Steam.
Unusual startup problem linked to the Windows logo might connect to Steam.
is failing or corrupted? I’ve checked for errors, but no obvious issues were found. The problem seems consistent whenever Steam is involved. I’ll attempt to explain my problem in detail and the steps I’ve taken so far. Initially, my setup includes:
- Motherboard: Asus Prime X570-P
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
- GPU: MSI Ventus 3X RTX 3080
- RAM: Two 16GB modules, Lexar Ares DDR4 3600MHz CL18
- Power supply: Silverstone 750W 80+ Bronze
- Storage: Four drives configured as follows – OS drive, NVMe SSD, HDD, and Seagate drive
- Operating system: Windows 10 Pro
The issue began after updating the NVIDIA drivers to version 551.23. When I launched Steam, the application became unresponsive, refusing to close. Attempts to force close it via Task Manager failed. Opening other programs also caused similar problems. I tried restarting the PC, but it remained locked in a Windows loading state, displaying the Asus logo with persistent icons. Multiple restarts didn’t resolve the situation.
I then reset the system using the Windows Recovery Environment, but the screen remained black indefinitely. The cursor would appear when moving the mouse, yet no progress was made. I repeated the process several times, disconnected and reconnected peripherals, unplugged USB devices, and even removed two RAM sticks. Despite these efforts, the PC never booted again.
I tried using a different USB stick with Windows 10 installation, which also failed to start properly. The Startup Repair option reached a dead end, indicating Windows couldn’t fix the problem. I attempted to restore from a backup, but it also didn’t succeed.
Next, I used the command prompt from the recovery menu to run chkdsk and restart, but the system would restart again without resolution. I tried reinstalling the front fan of my Thermalright peerless assasin 120SE, but this didn’t help.
After working through several RAM configurations and even replacing some modules, the system would occasionally boot but always crashed during Steam installations or updates. The persistent error appeared to be tied specifically to Steam, suggesting a possible file corruption or driver conflict.
Recently, I discovered the issue was likely related to a corrupted or incompatible Steam installation. After replacing RAM and performing a clean install, the problem disappeared temporarily. However, I still faced recurring startup glitches with Steam.
I’ve tried various troubleshooting steps: registry cleanup, disk diagnostics, software restarts, and even physical hardware changes. The recurring failure during Steam usage remains unresolved.
Could it be that the storage drive (likely F
is failing or corrupted? I’ve checked for errors, but no obvious issues were found. The problem seems consistent whenever Steam is involved.
I’m seeking advice on whether replacing the drive or addressing potential file system damage would help. Any additional insights would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you ahead of time.
P.S.: I’m currently trying to capture a screenshot from CDI, but drive F: isn’t showing up at all in Windows.
The event viewer displays details about the crashes, such as timestamps, crash types, and affected processes.
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