Hello everyone,
I'm struggling with a critical instability issue on my desktop PC after attempting a clean install of Windows 11. The problem seems hardware-related, manifesting as a constant freeze or sudden crash during the "Copying Windows files" phase, typically between 10% and 13%.
Here is the complete history and what has been attempted:
1. Initial Problem and Setup
PC: Custom Desktop (ASUS Motherboard).
Initial Trigger: The issue started after enabling DOCP/XMP in the BIOS to overclock the RAM, which immediately led to the BitLocker recovery screen and disabled peripherals.
Result: This led to a persistent boot loop/reboot cycle whenever I attempted a new Windows installation.
2. Software/Boot Issues Solved
We successfully resolved the BitLocker/Boot Loop issues by:
BIOS Reset: Performing a physical CMOS reset (removing the battery).
USB Fix: Successfully creating a UEFI-compatible USB drive on macOS using wimlib-imagex split.
Clean Disk: Accessing the Command Prompt and performing a diskpart clean on the NVMe drive.
BIOS Configuration: Setting Secure Boot to "Other OS" and CSM to "Disabled" for pure UEFI boot.
Hardware Fix: Discovering the correct USB port (labeled "BIOS") was the only one allowing the PC to boot the media.
3. Current & Persistent Problem: Hardware Freeze
Despite resolving the software and boot issues, the installation constantly fails, indicating hardware instability under load.
Symptom: The installation freezes or suddenly crashes during the "Copying Windows files" stage (consistently between 10% and 13%).
Environment: The freeze also occurs randomly in the minimal Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), confirming instability at very low load.
4. Tests Performed (Diagnosis of Instability)
We have systematically eliminated most common causes:
BIOS Settings: DOCP/XMP is Disabled. RAM is set to default 2133MHz. Conclusion: Instability is not due to configuration.
RAM Modules (2x): Tested each RAM stick individually in A2 and B2 slots. The freeze occurred with both sticksin both primary slots (A2 and B2). Conclusion: Both RAM sticks may be marginally damaged, or the memory controller is failing.
CPU/Chipset Stability: We are currently testing/about to test the disabling of Global C-state Control (Power Saving) in the BIOS as a common fix for post-OC instability.
NVMe Drive: Cleaned via diskpart clean and installation attempted. Conclusion: NVMe drive is the prime suspect for I/O failure unless disabling C-States fixes the instability.
Seeking Advice
Given the consistent freeze during file copying, and that the single-stick RAM tests failed, I suspect either a permanently damaged NVMe drive (failing I/O under stress) or that both RAM sticks were damaged by the initial DOCP instability.
Has anyone encountered this specific freeze point (10-13%) after resolving an initial DOCP/BitLocker issue? Are there any further specific ASUS BIOS settings (beyond C-States and AHCI Mode) that could resolve this low-level instability?
Thank you for any insight!
