Cannot get Windows Install to boot in UEFI mode

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 08:29

Hi team!

I have been struggling with a challenge getting Windows to install - and at 2am last night my wife was less than impressed with me battling away on this, so I've come to ask (plead) for help.

The symptom is that I boot windows install from a USB in EUFI mode and I get a blank, blue screen. The PC then restarts after 30 seconds or so.

I have tried:
- different USB slots (USB 2, USB 3)
- resetting the BIOS
- turning off CSM
- setting secure boot to 'other OS'
- removing secure boot keys
- unplugging as many peripherals as possible
- unplugging all SATA drives
- unplugging all but one M.2 drive
- unplugging all drives
- creating the install media using Windows Media Creation Tool
- creating the install media using RUFUS
- scanning the USB for bad sectors
- trying a second USB stick (on this step now)
- buying a third USB stuck (in the post to come today)
- googling the problem
- searching the forum

Throughout all of this if I enable CSM and boot to the usb it works fine. I just cannot get it to boot into Windows Install in EUFI mode.

Any thoughts on how I can get this install to start please?

Cheers,
Chris

bledd · 26 Dec 2022 at 09:14

Update your BIOS, reset it to defaults, then try again.

During installation, disconnect all drives besides the one you want windows on.

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 11:19

bledd said:
Update your BIOS, reset it to defaults, then try again.

During installation, disconnect all drives besides the one you want windows on.

Thank you for your suggestion. I have done this and have the same result.

teenwolf · 26 Dec 2022 at 11:22

is UEFI mode really that important ?

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 11:28

teenwolf said:
is UEFI mode really that important ?

At this point I'm invested

bledd · 26 Dec 2022 at 12:13

Which motherboard do you have?
Which SSD or nvme drive do you have?

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 12:17

bledd said:
Which motherboard do you have?
Which SSD or nvme drive do you have?

I have an ASUS x470 TUF

I have have tried with two different NVME drives, but the one I want install Windows on is a WD SN750 SE

Edit:- https://www.asus.com/uk/motherboards-components/motherboards/tuf-gaming/tuf-x470-plus-gaming/

SanDisk SSDs, Memory Cards, and Flash Drives for Your Digital Life | SanDisk

SanDisk Product support, where you can find your order status, product registration instructions, check a warranty claim, and more.

support-en.wd.com

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 13:27

Tested with another USB key, same results.

//edit:- What did Cinderella say when her photos didn't arrive on time

Orcvader · 26 Dec 2022 at 18:32

How did you create the bootable USB? Can you try download the Windows ISO then use Rufus to create the USB as GPT instead?

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 19:14

Orcvader said:
How did you create the bootable USB? Can you try download the Windows ISO then use Rufus to create the USB as GPT instead?

I first used the Microsoft Media creation tool

Then i tried Rufus just as you suggest

Same result both times.

VaderDSL · 26 Dec 2022 at 19:22

If you create a linux live usb stick does it let you boot?

Create the bootable media — Linux Mint Installation Guide documentation

linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io

Then you can at least start ruling out the USB sticks/motherboard?

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 19:39

VaderDSL said:
If you create a linux live usb stick does it let you boot?

Create the bootable media — Linux Mint Installation Guide documentation

linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io

Then you can at least start ruling out the USB sticks/motherboard?

I will test this and report back!

Orcvader · 26 Dec 2022 at 20:01

Just in case, what's the full system specs? Maybe something else is preventing UEFI from working? Tried with the minimal amount of hardware connected?

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 20:26

Orcvader said:
Just in case, what's the full system specs? Maybe something else is preventing UEFI from working? Tried with the minimal amount of hardware connected?

I'm running a custom loop, so it's not terribly practical to remove all the hardware, but the same thought crossed my mind and I tried to remove as much as possible.

Left connected are:-
1080ti
2700x
Asus X470 Tuf gaming
Soundblaster AE5
Logitech USB Unifier receiver
Ethernet plugged into mobo
Usb Key with install media

Not connected (but that you might normally expect to be connected)
(Tried with no drives connected at all, but I'd like to do this with the WD 750 mentioned above)
Fans, pump, etc. powered separately and not connected to mobo.

Orcvader · 26 Dec 2022 at 20:41

Can you try without the sound card? Another thing to check is the 1080 Ti, I remember there being a firmware update that updated DP 1.3 to 1.4, as well as other fixes that could help: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/drivers/nv-uefi-update-x64/

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 20:44

Orcvader said:
Can you try without the sound card? Another thing to check is the 1080 Ti, I remember there being a firmware update that updated DP 1.3 to 1.4, as well as other fixes that could help: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/drivers/nv-uefi-update-x64/

I will try this and report back. I think I can probably get the sound card disconnected

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 22:03

Orcvader said:
Another thing to check is the 1080 Ti, I remember there being a firmware update that updated DP 1.3 to 1.4

This was indeed the case. Firmware updated and restarting now to see if this helps as a first troubleshooting step.

//edit:- no dice. Moving to next troubleshooting step

Orcvader · 26 Dec 2022 at 22:17

Which USB ports are you trying? Have you tried the USB 2.0 ports on the back? I would stick with Rufus with the GPT partition scheme as I've had better luck with that when trying to install as UEFI.

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 22:18

VaderDSL said:
If you create a linux live usb stick does it let you boot?

Testing this now - creating a USB and will be back to report results.

//edit:- this worked fine; I am able to boot to the USB with mint on it using UEFI. I'm actually in the mint OS right now, typing this.

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 22:19

Orcvader said:
Which USB ports are you trying? Have you tried the USB 2.0 ports on the back? I would stick with Rufus with the GPT partition scheme as I've had better luck with that when trying to install as UEFI.

I have tried USB 2 and USB 3 ports to the same outcome (works with the CSM, doesn't work with UEFI).

I only tried Rufus once (both USB 2 and USB 3) and am just overwriting that USB with Linux Mint right now. I'll go back to Rufus after the other troubleshooting steps.