So here's the deal: I've been using my rig with Windows 11 and decided it was finally time to update after being stuck on version 22H because of work stuff. I took a backup just in case, but when I tried to update, I ran into an error (0x800703fa) that seemed to be tied to some anti-cheat software I had installed, specifically Vanguard and Faceit. I removed both and restarted, but when I tried to launch World of Tanks, everything went black except for the sound of my buddy on Discord. Restarting led to a black screen again, so I booted into safe mode. After cleaning the drivers with DDU and attempting to reinstall the Nvidia drivers, I was met with white pixel stripes on my screen. It got worse; I couldn't get any display until I removed the CMOS battery, but then there were pixels everywhere in BIOS too.
Here's where it gets super strange: during Windows troubleshooting, I had weird pixels, but after doing a fresh install from USB, the pixel issues vanished... until I tried to install the Nvidia drivers again, then it was back to the stripes. I feel like something triggered from uninstalling the anti-cheats and now my GPU might be on its last legs. Any advice or ideas? I'm really hoping someone has a solution before I face the dreaded reality of a fried GPU!
3 Answers
That’s rough, man! I’ve had my share of PC struggles and it sounds like the anti-cheat thing really messed you up. I’d recommend looking into reinstalling Windows as a fresh start, and maybe even checking your GPU. If it's showing white pixel stripes even in BIOS, it might not be in great shape. You've got quite a powerful rig, so it’s a shame to hear it's down like this! Hope you get it sorted out soon!
Wow, it's insane how fast things can go from fine to completely messed up like that. Just a reminder that even high-end systems can have their quirks. At least you aren’t gaming on a console! Keep us posted on whether you resolve the issue.
It sounds like you might need to do a complete Windows reinstall by formatting your SSD. Sometimes, remnants from failed upgrades can mess things up. Since it sounds like you haven't formatted yet, it might clear out any bad data. Just be sure your model of SSD is safe to format—check the manufacturer's site for compatibility details. If you've backed up everything important, it's definitely worth a shot!
Also, remember that if you have important work stuff, it’s best to have multiple backups. Better to be over-prepared, right?
I get it, some SSDs can have issues when formatted. You should definitely verify if yours is on the list of ones to avoid. Better safe than sorry!