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Windows won't startup, "Driver PNP Watchdog"

Anonymous
2023-11-05T01:23:35+00:00

Hi,

There was some issues with my PC’s network and I did a network reset. After the reset was done the PC restarted and went into a black screen for a long time. So I decided to press tbt power button and restarted it. Then after this, window won’t start at all. PC couldn’t even go into the repair mode, every time when it was trying to enter the repair mode, the dots circulated for several seconds then they got stuck and froze. I also used the media creation tool to create an installation media on my usb using my old PC. After I plugged the usb into the PC with problem, it either went into the installation screen where there is an option for repair and froze, or it gave me the DRIVER PNP WATCHDOG blue screen. So basically there’s nothing I could use to fix it. Any recommendation on what I could do? If possible, I would want to recover the previous windows rather than a clean install. But right now clean install isn’t even an option. Much appreciated.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-11-06T03:28:42+00:00

    Hello, Edmond Wu1

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    The "DRIVER PNP WATCHDOG" error indicates a problem with a driver or hardware in your system. To restore Windows, you need to have a restore point and be able to access the repair mode. Since you're currently unable to access the Windows repair mode, it may not be possible to restore Windows. Have you tried resetting the BIOS and removing all the unnecessary external devices to see if you can access the repair mode? Different manufacturers may have different instructions for resetting the BIOS, so you should refer to the manufacturer's guidelines.

    If resetting the BIOS doesn't work either, it's likely that there is a hardware issue, and you may need to take your computer for repair.

    Yuhao Li

    Microsoft Community Technical Support

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2023-11-09T01:01:05+00:00

    That's possible. After resetting, Windows goes back to its default settings, but your hardware, drivers, and saved files remain unchanged. So, there might be compatibility issues.

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2023-11-06T09:31:35+00:00

    Since you have already tried removing external devices, replacing RAM and graphics card, and you are unable to access any recovery mode or perform a fresh install, it may indicate a malfunctioning motherboard.

    Here are some steps you can try to further troubleshoot the issue:

    1. Check all connections on the motherboard: Make sure all power cables, data cables, and slots are securely connected. Re-seating these connections may help resolve any potential connectivity issues.
    2. Clear CMOS: Try clearing the CMOS settings, which will reset the BIOS settings of the motherboard. You can find detailed instructions in the motherboard's manual or on the manufacturer's website.
    3. Update BIOS: If you have cleared the CMOS but the problem persists, you can try updating the BIOS version of the motherboard. Download the latest BIOS from the manufacturer's website and follow the instructions for updating.

    If the above steps still don't resolve the issue, it may be necessary to get your computer repaired. Contact the manufacturer or find a reliable computer repair professional to have them check the motherboard and other hardware components to determine if any faulty parts need to be replaced.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2023-11-07T02:05:18+00:00

    OK. I hope your computer gets fixed soon.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2023-11-06T13:44:33+00:00

    Thank you. I tried clearing tbt CMOS and BIOS was updated couple days before the issue. But tbt problem is still here. I guess I’ll take it to the computer service.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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