A computer built in 2022 began experiencing random crashes, game errors, and other instability. Reinstalling graphics drivers, verifying game files, and running SFC and DISM did not help. The motherboard BIOS was several years and many versions out of date, and the board was reportedly affected by a BIOS bug. After resetting the CMOS, the BIOS was finally updated, but the crashes became much more frequent.
We decided to perform a clean Windows installation, but Setup fails at around 75% every time. Restoring the BIOS defaults did not change anything. Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 are enabled. Could the motherboard, memory, installation media, or storage drive be failing?
System:
- CPU: Ryzen 5 7600X
- GPU: MSI RTX 5060 Ventus
- Memory: 32 GB DDR5-5600
- Motherboard: Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX, revision 1.0
- Storage: Western Digital 1 TB SATA HDD
2 Answers
The failure point suggests either the installation media or the target HDD. Windows Setup is probably failing while copying or applying the image. Try a different USB drive and inspect the HDD's health with a bootable diagnostic tool. If the drive reports bad sectors, read errors, or a failing SMART status, replace it rather than continuing to reinstall onto it.
You can also use a scripted unattended installation that explicitly runs DISM to apply the Windows image; the resulting error output may reveal whether the target disk or installer is the problem. Be careful to select the correct disk because this will erase it.
First check whether the machine is stable while sitting in the BIOS. Fully power it off, unplug it, press the power button a few times, reconnect it, load the BIOS defaults, and let it sit at the POST or BIOS screen for several minutes. If it crashes there, Windows is not the cause.
Also recreate the installation USB, preferably with a different flash drive if possible. A damaged installer or USB drive can cause Setup to fail while applying the Windows image. Trying a Linux live USB or another Windows version can help separate an installer problem from a hardware problem.
I did not check Event Viewer before wiping the old installation, unfortunately. The installer USB had already been recreated once, but I will test the system in the BIOS screen and try another drive.