MSI B550-M Mortar: Fresh Windows Install?

RedMogg · 10 Jul 2020 at 03:25

Had to send my Gigabyte X470 Aorus Gaming back for RMA last week - instead of being without a system for the next few weeks, I ordered the MSI Mortar B550-M (I'd been looking for an excuse to downsize) and have now installed it in my rig, under a custom loop.

I've had a few issues getting Windows to boot - the one time it has loaded up, I took the chance to uninstall all Gigabyte drivers & apps, using IOBit Uninstaller.

I downloaded the MSI drivers to my phone and transferred across to my 4Tb storage drive (and I think I've answered my question, because the Barracuda drive doesn't show up in the BIOS) - perhaps I should run the drivers on the NVME?

I'll disconnect the Team 1Tb SSD and the 4Tb Barracuda from the board and see if it'll allow drivers to be installed.

I'll give it a try and report back.

pc-guy · 10 Jul 2020 at 16:23

Probably the best to do a fresh install.

RedMogg · 10 Jul 2020 at 18:01

pc-guy said:
Probably the best to do a fresh install.

I'm thinking the same.
Disconnecting sata drives helped - was able to load straight into Windows.
Installed chipset & Motherboard drivers via my phone (my son's rig uses Powerline adapters for t'internet, which my system didn't seem to like), but Windows won't load if SATA drives hooked up.
Also won't post if I enable XMP or PBO.

PSU is fine (Corsair RM850i) so it's not a lack of power.

I'll try hooking up to its usual spot (in my media cabinet, using TV as monitor, with wired connection straight to router) and see if that helps.

Aside from a fresh Win10 install, is it worth updating BIOS? Would I update BIOS first, then see if Windows fails, or do the Windows refresh first, then update BIOS if needed?

pc-guy · 10 Jul 2020 at 18:07

Problem with the chipset switch is that windows don’t like it. And I am pretty sure UEFI boot will throw a wobble as well.

go default settings (test ram unless you know it is fine). Install fresh windows and go from there.

alternatively you can try to see if clear cmos and revert to bios default will help you load windows.

If there is a new bios out there, see what the change log is and probably best to put it on.

Does the machine post or nothing. Ie the beep noise (if you got it activated) or the screen let’s you press f2 or delete to get into bios.