Bizarre boot problem

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Soldato
Joined
6 Mar 2008
Posts
8,799
Location
Leicestershire
Hi all,

So I've got a customer's desktop computer and have run out of ideas as to what the problem can be.

The computer has been working so it's not a new build.

Initial fault - spinning circle when trying to load windows with preparing automatic repair at times. Just no boot into Windows.

Unplugged everything and replugged in both ram modules individually - so not the memory.

Removed nvme ssd

Left just CPU, Motherboard and GFX card installed as no onboard gfx - trying to boot off a usb to load windows without a ssd installed and its the same, just a spinning circle constantly.

So it's not booting even into Windows setup with just mobo, cpu and gfx installed

updated the bios to the latest one

Changed the bios parameters to disabled secure boot, disable/enable csm - enable secure boot etc. all the different variations I can think of and still the same

tried two different USB sticks both I know work in other machines.

I can't think of what else it could be! Malware infection on the motherboard?! A faulty CPU or Motherboard?
 
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I have one memory stick installed. I think it's something to do with MBR/UEFI/GPT so trying a Rufus usb
 
B550 Gaming X V2 rev 1.3 Motherboard with latest bios
Ryzen CPU

Tried rufus and selected GPT and still not working.
 
Just for the sake of ruling out something weird going on with Windows, have you tried a Linux live USB?

Have you tried clearing the CMOS via the jumper?
 
SonicSW20 said:
Just for the sake of ruling out something weird going on with Windows, have you tried a Linux live USB?

Have you tried clearing the CMOS via the jumper?
Click to expand...

Yes cleared cmos, took battery out, just tried another USB stick this time with Windows 10 installed.

I've enabled CSM and legacy support
Disabled CSM
Enabled secure boot
Disabled it

I just can't think of anything else, that's 3 different USB sticks, two different operating systems.

Each time its the Windows logo and spinning dots if Win 10, spinning circle if Win 11.

I cannot fathom what it can be. I wouldn't have thought it could be a faulty Mobo or CPU otherwise they wouldn't get that far to posting.
 
i had something very similar a few weeks ago and it turned out to be a dodgy connection on one of the sata ssds [one that was actually empty as well lol] might not be it but worth mentioning
 
I've unplugged everything from the motherboard, theres no drives attached.

Tried diff mem sticks,

3 usb sticks, Win 10 - 11 and 7 - Win7 I thought was going to work and even that gets stuck on the Starting Windows with Win7 logo on screen

So it must be a faulty CPU or Motherboard. It literally cannot be anything else - it can't be 3 USB sticks that work with other machines.

I don't understand how it can be a faulty BIOS when I can access it and I've upgraded to latest version.

I've turned TMP stuff off and on, all different configurations of secure boot off/on, csm on / off etc.

Nothing makes any difference.

Never seen anything like it before and the only conclusion I can come to is that it's faulty hardware - either the Motherboard and/or Bios are borked or the CPU is.
 
Bad bios flash maybe? Did they run any updates around the time it started having problems?

Have you done a full memtest? I know you've changed the ram, but it might show a bad IMC.

Have you tried booting with just the IGP?
 
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Could be the motherboard has generated a fault that results in I/O not working correctly, thus neither SSD or USB is functioning correctly?
 
try different usb ports, preferably usb 2 one. I have an asus transformer tablet that when trying to upgrade windows via usb it cleverly disconnects/stops detecting the usb ports and after maybe 12 hours of spinning, rolls back the upgrade.
 
When I first saw this thread, I thought it might be Intel RST chipset drivers. But when I saw the spec posted, I realise now it's an AMD motherboard. But I still think it could be chipset or CPU related.

Have you tried removing the CPU, checking it and the socket for damage? While it's out, a gentle blast of compressed air won't hurt, nor will cleaning the CPU (not the socket) with alcohol.

For a very brief amount of time and with a fan pointing at the CPU if you need to, try to boot the system up without a heatsink on the CPU. If the system boots up, try again with the heatsink on. This might point to your problem, it might not, but it's worth a go.
 
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