Computer will boot from USB TO LINUX but not USB to windows

I'm back! I ended up sending my motherboard back on an RMA, just received it back ...plugged everything back in andnnnnd I'm having the same exact problem..so frustrated. Now my mother board lights all light up fine and when it goes past bios to actual BOOT, the green light goes off. I don't know what to do

If it works in Linux then the motherboard is good.

Try resetting the BIOS to default:

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/reset-pc-bios-...

If you cannot do that then clear CMOS:

https://www.maketecheasier.com/how-to-reset-cmo...

What happens when you try to boot the hard drive with Windows? See if you can run Startup Repair on it:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-startup-...

Even better is the Macrium Boot Corrector which is on the Macrium Reflect Rescue Media, and will start any Macrium image or clone, can also work on regular installs that won't start:

https://kb.macrium.com/KnowledgebaseArticle5016...

http://www.macrium.com/blog/2008/09/23/HowToCre...

You can also Sysprep the install to remove drivers or "generalize" it for easier adaptation to new hardware. But this has not needed to be done in Windows 10, first case I've seen it might:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-win...

I will give you all possible steps to troubleshoot Windows installation failure which work in about 90% of cases. If not we'll go from there:

Follow the gold standard Clean Install steps in this tutorial which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Make sure all other drives and peripherals are unplugged. Update the BIOS or UEFI firmware to latest, or reset to Defaults, making sure (if you have it) UEFI is enabled, CSM or Legacy BIOS disabled, Windows Boot Manager set first to boot, if necessary disable Secure and Fast Boot until after install, set SATA controller to AHCI, Save changes and Exit. Access BIOS/UEFI Setup as shown here: https://www.mydigitallife.net/comprehensive-lis...

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/reset-pc-bios-...

Create the latest Windows 10 Installation Media by installing Media Creation Tool and following the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... If you're using another PC to do this uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first. If you can start Windows enter UEFI firmware here: http://www.isunshare.com/windows-password/four-...

The media may also be bad, so confirm it boots and queues up per these steps in another PC, or else recreate it. You can also try a DVD, or the alternate download site from MS TechBench here: https://tb.rg-adguard.net/public.php. Burn to DVD using WIndows Image Burner or create bootable flash using one of the options here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2376-create...

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on first screen press Shift + F10 to open a Command Prompt, type the following commands, each followed by Enter key:

DISKPART

LIST DISK

SEL DIS # (replace # with the disk # of the Windows disk from list in previous command)

CLEAN

EXIT

Close Command Box, on second screen choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen choose Unallocated Space, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof.

Make sure to follow the setup steps in the first link tutorial to complete your install. Drivers are important enough that those steps are printed in red. If installation stalls or won't complete, try disconnecting from the internet.

You will get and keep the best possible install to the exact extent you stick with the steps, tools and methods in the first linked tutorial. It's a better install than any amount of money could buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC.

If all else fails you can move the hard drive to another PC to do the install with it plugged in alone. Windows 10 is remarkably adaptive to new hardware without needing adaptive restore. If it will start it will swap out all drivers requiring several restarts. You can also try applying a same-version System Image to the intact SSD/hard drive.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Hi Jen. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

Is there a Linux dual boot on the PC? What is installed exactly and where, and why is USB referred to in the thread title as it confuses what you're trying to do which I think is repair Windows 10 that will not start after a green screen?

First try fixes for Green Screen in Windows 10:

https://www.quora.com/Why-does-my-computer-scre...

https://www.nucleustechnologies.com/blog/tips-t...

https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/forum/screen-turni...

I these do not help then Use whichever method works in this link to get into Repair Mode so you can do the necessary repairs or do a Reset: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

Easiest is to force shutdown by holding in the power button. Do this twice. The third time you power on it should start into Repair Mode. Once in the Repair Mode try the numbered steps below.

It may be necessary to create bootable media on another PC to access Advanced Startup Options to try repairs, a Reset or do the Clean install. The bootable media has it's own set of files so that repairs or Reset might work better, doesn't require a password, and you'll have it to if necessary do the vastly superior Clean Install.

To create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC install Media Creation Tool and follow the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-10/m.... Uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key given here: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first.

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on second screen choose Repair Your Computer, then Advanced Troubleshoot Options, then:

1. Try a System Restore,
2. If that fails try Uninstall Updates as far back as necessary to see if this was caused by an Update,
3. Open the Command Prompt to:

a) run System File Checker: https://www.wintips.org/how-to-run-sfc-offline-...

b) run a full Disk Check: https://www.windowsdigitals.com/how-to-run-chkd...

c) trigger Safe Mode with Networking (for internet) or Safe Mode following https://www.intowindows.com/boot-windows-10-in-... to roll back Updates & Drivers in Windows Update History, update your drivers from the PC/Motherboard manufacturer's website and diagnose further:
https://www.pcmag.com/news/354269/how-to-use-sa...

d) From the Command Prompt try to create a new Local Admin Account to replace your account: https://www.isumsoft.com/windows-10/3-ways-to-c..., sign in to test it, move files over, when ready delete the old account and if desired change the new one to your MS Account.

4. If those fail then go back to Troubleshoot Options to do a Reset.
5. If that fails choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof. Everything needed to get the best possible Clean Install is here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.... It is a better install than any amount of money can buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC because you will learn what works best and how to apply it with your own hands.
6. If you have files that aren't backed up you can use the same bootable media to try to rescue your files using these methods: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Your files should be backed up at all times if you value them at all. In the Clean Install tutorial in Step 5 I give the best methods to back up.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________
Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

The reason for putting USB in the headline is that is the problem, it won't let me BOOT to anything windows on a USB drive..no problem for Linux..but not for windows.....Let me start from the beginning of the issue, last Thursday, I was installing battle.net on the computer. My computer randomly restarted (I have been using windows 11 since it came out, and its been successful for the most part).. when it restarted it would not boot to windows. It comes up with just the windows block screen with not "waiting" symbol like it does when it usually boots. I then disconnected all my drives..made a bootable disk to revert back to windows 10 and tried to force my computer to go into recovery mode, it would not. I then put my M2 drive back in, which is where I had windows installed, and it let me boot into windows recovery, I then tried to sfc scan and it wouldn't do it..said the drive was locked. I then started to reinstall windows 10 and twice the install stopped and restarted my computer and tried to continue the install and a green screen came up and said DRIVER IRQL error ( i couldn't catch it in time to see EXACTLY what it was. Since then..nothing happens.. (see the link for a video of what it does https://flic.kr/p/2mAH868 So I decieded to put UBUNTU on a USB drive and load it up..and it loaded fine. since then I have deleted and reformated my windows boot drive..and permanently installed linux on a separate drive....I have flashed my bios... i have tried different USB drives, different formats..EVERYTHING..I have exhausted all my resources. How come the computer works fine in linux..and will boot to the USB drive for anything and everything BUT windows. I don't get it..

I even tried to use DBAN to delete the entire drive..and the screen just sits black....I don't get it... I'm not worried about files..or anything else anymore..just want to boot to windows.

Hi Jen. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

Is there a Linux dual boot on the PC? What is installed exactly and where, and why is USB referred to in the thread title as it confuses what you're trying to do which I think is repair Windows 10 that will not start after a green screen?

First try fixes for Green Screen in Windows 10:

https://www.quora.com/Why-does-my-computer-scre...

https://www.nucleustechnologies.com/blog/tips-t...

https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/forum/screen-turni...

I these do not help then Use whichever method works in this link to get into Repair Mode so you can do the necessary repairs or do a Reset: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

Easiest is to force shutdown by holding in the power button. Do this twice. The third time you power on it should start into Repair Mode. Once in the Repair Mode try the numbered steps below.

It may be necessary to create bootable media on another PC to access Advanced Startup Options to try repairs, a Reset or do the Clean install. The bootable media has it's own set of files so that repairs or Reset might work better, doesn't require a password, and you'll have it to if necessary do the vastly superior Clean Install.

To create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC install Media Creation Tool and follow the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-10/m.... Uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key given here: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first.

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on second screen choose Repair Your Computer, then Advanced Troubleshoot Options, then:

1. Try a System Restore,
2. If that fails try Uninstall Updates as far back as necessary to see if this was caused by an Update,
3. Open the Command Prompt to:

a) run System File Checker: https://www.wintips.org/how-to-run-sfc-offline-...

b) run a full Disk Check: https://www.windowsdigitals.com/how-to-run-chkd...

c) trigger Safe Mode with Networking (for internet) or Safe Mode following https://www.intowindows.com/boot-windows-10-in-... to roll back Updates & Drivers in Windows Update History, update your drivers from the PC/Motherboard manufacturer's website and diagnose further:

https://www.pcmag.com/news/354269/how-to-use-sa...

d) From the Command Prompt try to create a new Local Admin Account to replace your account: https://www.isumsoft.com/windows-10/3-ways-to-c..., sign in to test it, move files over, when ready delete the old account and if desired change the new one to your MS Account.

4. If those fail then go back to Troubleshoot Options to do a Reset.
5. If that fails choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof. Everything needed to get the best possible Clean Install is here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.... It is a better install than any amount of money can buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC because you will learn what works best and how to apply it with your own hands.
6. If you have files that aren't backed up you can use the same bootable media to try to rescue your files using these methods: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Your files should be backed up at all times if you value them at all. In the Clean Install tutorial in Step 5 I give the best methods to back up.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.