constant BSOD even trying to re install windows

joe90_remy700

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Jan 19, 2014
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firstly sorry but this is going to be long...

my build:
cpu: i7 6700k
mobo: asus z170 pro gaming BIOS 1105
ram: 16gb (2x8gb) hyper x savage 2400/cl12 1.35v
cooler: H110i GT
gpu: msi gtx 970
ssd: samsung 850 evo 250gb
hdd: WD blue 1tb
odd: external usb

when i had completed the build it would not post, but i got it to run on 1 stick then enable XMP profile 1 in the BIOS so the ram was at 2400 1.35v, disabled it was 1.20v
after that, updated BIOS to 1105 and got both sticks running dual channel
installed win7, upgraded straight away to 10 and all was fine, ran Prime95 26.6 and HWMonitor showed 4.2ghz turbo on all cores, 65c temp with cooler on quiet mode

so i had a go at a bit of oveclocking, set cpu voltage to 1.325 manual, ratio of 45 and ran p95 for about 20mins to check temp and was a-ok
so bumped the ratio to 47 and when trying to run p95 had instant BSOD
so took it back to 45... BSOD upon reboot
reset the bios settings... BSOD loop with different errors coming up

ok... so i wanted to try wiping my ssd and re-installing win7 (only way to get clean install) and guess what.... BSOD

have cleared CMOS, running 1 stick of ram and tried erasing the ssd from BIOS (came up as frozen all the time, after reboot it said was finished wiping after only a few seconds)
have unplugged hdd and tried to install win7 on ssd... BSOD either when tying to boot from cd or after selecting language (a few different errors each time)
now i have the ssd unplugged and trying to install to the hdd but guess what i am getting? yes, BSOD still.
all combinations i have tried with and without the gpu, 1 or 2 sticks of ram, XMP enabled or disabled
i am at my wits end, i really have no idea what is up with this, i can only get to BIOS or look at the inevitable BSOD

do i need to RMA something, and if so what? or is there something i have missed?
 
Hello... Unplug... SSD,HD,DVD...etc,... can you boot to the Bio's?
1) and report operating freqs/temps, PC health etc? and stable conditions?
2) check your settings VS the installed hardware specs.
3) SAVE&EXIT them for a BAD OC boot setting... as a restart place.
4) removing your battery and clearing the CMOS will get you BACK too step one in settings.

If your going to "Manually" Start to Over Clocking, then you need to take your MB off of AUTO "High performance" modes.
 

joe90_remy700

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Jan 19, 2014
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hi
yes i set the BIOS back to default, just with XMP enabled as the ram was only 1.20v with it disabled, and everything in the BIOS is fine re temp, frequencies etc.

the problem is not the overclock as i have reset it to stock settings, the problem is i cannot boot into windows for various failures and now i cannot do even a clean install of windows 7 on either ssd or hdd, for the same various faults. getting to BIOS is fine but i have no OS and it is not letting me install an OS
 
Hello... a Windows7 install MEDIa should be a DVD 2gb... you could make a USB install ISO from it... Got another DVD Drive? OR try and maybe make a USB ISO? im wondering if the BSOD is from the DVD drive here... try a different cable/PWR MB slot IDE mode for it.

8) Try SATA IDE mode for a OS install.
 
Hello... BSOD is a Hardware communications error... Your DVD drive is a Hardware device. B )
Ya try different one and please look over my steps up to this point... You should be asked for AHCI driver for a Windows 7 install.

*** and hardware and setting changes to the MB needs to save&exist... and rebooted... the DVD will not work in AHCI mode and needs to set in SATA channel 2-3-4 and set for hardware IDE mode.

try step 8) please for me too.
 

joe90_remy700

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Jan 19, 2014
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ok so i have connected a "spare" sata dvd drive to the mobo, but still bsod when trying to install. it loads windows files then crashes after the windows logo appears.
i could not find any options to change from achi to ide mode, only other option for sata is raid, if thats what you mean?
 
Hello... OK... so the problem stands as follows... "Files have been loaded ( install complete ) and WIN is getting ready too BOOT the desktop, for the First time... AND you get a BSOD?"

9) Unplug all other HD drives and DVD's, card readers/etc... Connect only OS SSD SATA0... Disable network hardware and Audio hardware in the BIO's save&exist. try a Windows OS SSD boot now.
 

joe90_remy700

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Jan 19, 2014
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no it is after the pre-load, i dont even get to the installation steps like language select.
with the usb dvd drive i could sometimes get to select language, then it crashes when i hit "install now" ie when it is trying to write anything to the hdd or ssd

so as i see it now, it is posting to bios fine, reading the install dvd but when it tries to install regardless if it is the ssd or hdd plugged in, it crashes
 
Hello... 10) Try the exact same install using your KID's OR spare computer... and then see if that MB/computer will LOAD to the SSD there... Anyway this will test your install DVD, DVD player and SSD for loading files... OK? B )

Maybe DEAD SSD? typically you can reflash the firmware on a SSD before sending it in for RMA... next step OK ?
 

joe90_remy700

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Jan 19, 2014
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ok i will have to try tomorrow i need to go now. in the mean time could you leave steps on how to reflash the ssd firmware i can also try it tomorrow before posting result here.
fwiw, the install dvd successfully installed on my pc last week before todays cockup, my old rig multiple times, and last week on my step sons rig
 

joe90_remy700

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Jan 19, 2014
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that link has no firmware for the 850 evo...

anyway, some progress:
disabled xmp, set cpu voltage to manual 1.325v (was 1.280 auto) and dram to 1.35 (1.20 auto), disconnected lan and managed to get further than language select, but it asked for the drivers for my external dvd (even when i inserted dvd installation disk when prompted it couldn't find them, or from a usb but all i could download was the firmware already loaded) *sigh*
so now i am in the process of getting a bootable windows 7 usb done on my htpc (funnily enough the dvd worked without installing anything) and will try.
seemingly upping the cpu and/or setting the correct dram voltage has made it stable enough to progress slightly.

if the usb stick doesn't work, is it wise to use my step sons pc (amd build) to try to install windows to the ssd (or failing that, hdd) with only it and his internal dvd drive plugged in? or will it make a mess of my pc if i put the ssd back in my computer with windows installed via his pc?

at least no blue screens so far *touch wood*

EDIT: still getting stuck at "a required cd/dvd device driver is missing" pop up window when trying to install. *BANGS HEAD ON WALL* even though i am installing from a usb.
why? and how to fix it? i have cleared secure boot keys so it is disabled, have tried "hotswapping" the usb stick between physical drives when on that screen (both steps suggested multiple times when googled) and have tried both usb 2.0 and 3.0 ports
 
Hello... 11) YES... AMD OS files on a INTEL MB will not WORK... I just want to TEST if your current procedure, media and SSD will work/load Windows, from another MB connection, "SIMPLE TEST"... disconnect the other Drives when you do this, as not to alter them.

12) You could just connect the SSD to another computer and test "Partitioning" Formatiing and File transfer to the SSD, for Product operation Test.

13) USB2 stick needs to be formatted FAT32 and made "Bootable"... make sure Legacy/other USB options are enabled in BIO's.

14) Try the Install from Different MB SATA ports.

15) Flash your MB BIO's.
 

joe90_remy700

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Jan 19, 2014
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ok so... flashed mobo BIOS and the dreaded BSODs came back just as the windows logo is coming up before starting the install. ran up to that point with either dvd or usb media.
so i set the same 1.325 vcore and 1.35v on the ram, and yet again the BSOD

tried the ssd on another pc, was recognised in BIOS (as was on my pc) but could not see the drive in windows (well, there was a drive "D" there but was not able to format it)

so i think i will try to get replacement ssd, (and maybe cpu mobo and ram if i can, as it was acting funny from the get-go with failures to post. the last thing i want is to find something else wrong with the system and again need replacements). the place i ordered from is around 100km away so i hope they can swap straight away in store

if you have any other suggestions i am of course open to it, you have been really patient and helpful.
i will give it to the end of the work day today to try anything out, but will need to contact the store this evening or first thing tomorrow to try for an exchange on saturday
 

joe90_remy700

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Jan 19, 2014
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ok cool.
i got hold of the company, and i am going in the morning to them they said it is most likely ram or mobo and will test and replace anything that is needed. i will take my cpu and ssd and explain (in my bad german) the advice you have given that it could also be the ssd.
at least i do not have the stress of RMA through manufacturers they will do it there and then for me.
either way, your help was greatly appreciated, any one of your above replies can be the best answer ;)
 

joe90_remy700

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Jan 19, 2014
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quick update: made a 250km round trip to the shop i ordered the parts from, they happily took them for testing and after around 1hr they rang to say it was the cpu and swapped it for me there and then
they also installed an upgrade version of win 10 on the ssd, so it was ready to go when i rebuilt it. all i need to do now is activate it hopefully with my windows 7 key (the process is however made all the more difficult as it is saying it is not possible at the moment, and that they installed it in german) but at least it works now!