Windows 8.1 Reinstallation problems

BigDave77

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Aug 27, 2014
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4,510
(NOTE: There is a TLDR at the bottom)

Hello everyone! I have a problem. And.. it was small at first, and now it's nearly catastrophic, so look below and read the story!

I built my pc this past week, here are the build details:

CPU Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core $339.93
CPU Cooler Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing
Motherboard Asus Z97-PRO(Wi-Fi ac) ATX LGA1150
Memory G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600
Storage Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" SSD
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM
Video Card MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB TWIN FROZR
Case Cooler Master Storm Scout 2 Advanced ATX Mid Tower
Power Supply SeaSonic 550W ATX12V / EPS12V
Optical Drive Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer
OS Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit)
Monitor Asus VS248H-P 24.0"
Fans Cooler Master Blade Master 76.8 CFM 120mm
Keyboard SteelSeries APEX
Mouse SteelSeries Diablo III Wired Laser (Purchased)
Custom A50 Battlefield 4 edition Astro wireless heads

Dawn of the First Day - 72 hours remain:

Everything went very smooth while building and installing windows the first time. Got things set up and backed up the computer, was going to create a repair disc, BUT windows 8.1 only does USB's and I didnt have a USB to sacrifice on hand so the recovery drive was not made.

Dawn of the second day - 48 hours remain:

The computer booted up today nicely... and wow, my wifi adapter isn't recognized anymore? Oh, the broadcom driver in the device manager says it has a problem. Well I guess i'll just uninstall all the wireless components of my computer and reinstall them. *tries to update broadcom* Oh, I can search my hard drive for an update? I'll try that!

#whathasbeendonecannotbeundone

*Computer FREEEEZZESSS*

What happened? Let's reboot! ... uh oh, windows error... entering recovery mode. oh crap I didnt get a USB, can I try to boot a system image? ... nope that didnt work. hmmmm....

Dawn of the final day - 24 hours remain:

Enter BIOS... RAM is recognized, both hard drives are recognized. All fans working, temperatures normal. GPU is still a usable item for putting display on my monitor. All peripherals are functioning.

Let's try a CLEAN install, *deletes partitions on hard drives and tries reinstall on SDD* ... huh, mechanical failure? what's that mean? *googles* oh, well I'll just only have one hard drive attached then and no other usb devices attached unless its the mouse and keyboard.

*tries again*

New error- Watchdog timeout.

DEAR GOD

*googles* oh.. hardware failure? well let's try the HDD this time? *tries* *same error* Well shoot. What do I do?

Story end.

Please help me with ideas and advice.

TLDR - Run good first day. Second day Wireless Fail. Third day computer crash an no able to install windows 8.1 due to watchdog timeout error.

I have not yet tried the following:

Updating BIOS
Disconnecting GPU
Using External Hard Drive
Disconnecting ethernet cable

UPDATE: I have resorted to converting my SSD to GPT (or is it GTP?) Format, now my error has changed from Watchdog Timeout to WHEA Uncorrectable Error. With this new information, any insights?
 

BigDave77

Reputable
Aug 27, 2014
16
0
4,510
So after fiddling with this for an unearthly amount of time... I fixed it.

The problem was that the GPU was on a different update (the update it was on when the problems occurred) so I mechanically removed it, then started the windows installation! and it worked! everything was reinstalled and I put the GPU back in and it's working fine. Hopefully that wifi issue never returns, and if it does.... I AM LEAVING IT THE HECK ALONE FOREVER