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

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.

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 11:28

teenwolf said:
is UEFI mode really that important ?

At this point I'm invested

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 22:36

qbazdz said:
Perhaps you tried already, but have you got a spare machine to check if that USB boots correctly in another device?

My immediate thinking is about the media tool screwing up the USB and the win install.

From what you described, the system can detect the USB drive and starts to boot but displayed blue screen? I thought first screen to see when trying win install what the spinning dots loading screen?

I do have another machine, however the hardware is quite old and unlikely to support UEFI.

What I can say is that this USB is good as Mint is running on the USB as I type right now. I've also tried multiple USB Sticks, a brand new one is in the mail to me also, and I have tried Rufus as well as the Windows Media Creation Tool.

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 22:38

Orcvader said:
Can you try without the sound card?

Testing this now. Be gone for a bit whilst I move the tubing aside like vines in a long-forgotten jungle.

//edit:- no joy; same result as before

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 22:51

qbazdz said:
From what you described, the system can detect the USB drive and starts to boot but displayed blue screen? I thought first screen to see when trying win install what the spinning dots loading screen?

You are right - having been through it 6 times just now the very first thing to show up is the windows logo. Interestingly there is no progress wheel below it, like there is when running the install media using legacy mode.

After this there is a blue background, the same one you'd expect to show up with the overlay to select language options - however no language options pop up.

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 22:52

qbazdz said:
Do things look normal when in bios? Like temps, voltages? Maybe something isn't seated quite right?
Have you actually upgraded anything or is it just a fresh install to new drive?

Yes, machine running like a dream. I wanted a clean install to contrast my current setup against a minor chip upgrade I am planning to do, but have not yet done to a 5600 (which is looking sad in the box on my desk right now).

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 22:57

Mujja said:
Just checking, you downloaded a 64-bit ISO?

Seems like a WinPE (Windows setup) driver issue.

Do you have another computer you can pop the nvme into and start the install. At the first restart in Windows setup, shutdown the computer, remove the nvme and install in your dodgy computer. Windows will now boot in to the full OS skipping WinPE.

I have downloaded the 64-bit ISO for Rufus, and asked the Media Creation Tool to create a USB to install 64-bit windows, yes.

This is a very cool idea - thank you. At the precise moment I don't have another computer handy, but I will keep this in mind depending how desperate I get.

Chris Beard · 26 Dec 2022 at 23:04

Okay - thank you @Orcvader, @VaderDSL, @qbazdz, @Mujja and @bledd - I really am grateful for your continued help.

I'll still try troubleshooting this and will keep trying suggestions posted here, but I'm going to refocus on getting up and running using legacy mode as @teenwolf suggested some time ago now.

I'm particularly grateful for updated 1080ti firmware @Orcvader as this has solved another issue I had with my ultrawide not handshaking nicely with my gfx card that seems to have gone away. Thank you!

Chris Beard · 27 Dec 2022 at 08:22

AthlonXP1800 said:
How To Enable Or Disable Secure Boot For ASUS Motherboard

Secure boot is a security feature on your PC that checks the digital signature of each driver, operating system (OS), and even boot software like EFI

www.technewstoday.com

Try step 5 to change OS type to Windows UEFI Mode that will boot and install Windows on UEFI Mode.

Thank you - I have tried this and get the same result.

I've then gone back and changed this back to 'Other OS' as it was before (and as the guide asks me to set it).

Chris Beard · 27 Dec 2022 at 08:23

freddie64 said:
Are you sure your USB stick is UEFI bootable?

https://www.nextofwindows.com/is-my-bootable-usb-drive-uefi-bootable#:~:text=The key to finding out,Windows system in UEFI mode.

W10 or 11?

Thanks Freddie, I'm confident the USB key (and indeed, all my hardware) is UEFI compatible as I was able to boot Linux Mint from the USB Key with CSM disabled in the bios settings.

//edit:- Windows 10