USB boot gives blue screen

Question

Hello,

I have a mostly new build pc (I want to add old harddrive later on, now using a new SSD), but I get stuck at installing windows 10.

I have a new gigabyte B550M DS3H motherboard, MSI graphics card (not new), new processor (amd ryzen), new ram and new SSD.

I have made a bootable USB using rufus (media creation tool gave errors). The USB is 32G, and was new on my first attempt.

First I had GPT partitioning. That seemed to work (installation started after I selected language etc), but then gave a message that there had been an error (no mor specific information or error code given). More aatempts resulted in the same error, or an error saying that I tried booting legacy on an UEFI-only media.

I now have made the USB again, with MBR partitioning, but I now either get an orange-white striped screen, or I get a blue screen and an automatic shut-off after ~1 minute. I also have gotten an error-message on some attempts, which says to remove the device and restart, but then it continueous in a loop with the same message (regardless whether the USB is plugged in or not) or a black screen that remains indefinitely.

I tried every combination of BIOS settings a google-search came up with (enable/disble CSM, enable/disable fast boot, switch to USB 2.0 instead of 3.0-port, secure boot on/off), but nothing helps.

How can I proceed?

edit: I don't know what the issue was, but repeating the process with an older, used, USB-stick worked. Probably the new USB was 3.0, and the old 2.0, which is better for these kind of things.

Answer 1

Hi Marieke. II'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

I will give you all possible steps to troubleshoot Windows installation failure that I've given to thousands of others in this situation and 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.

Failures and errors during the Setup phase can often be overcome by disconnecting from the internet, e.g. unplug router.

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.

Please report back the results of each step so I know what else to suggest.

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