Unable to get past BSOD boot loop

[Nleavelle]

Thanks for any help in advance!

A little backstory: I built two generally identical PC’s. Recently updated the BIOS and Windows (in that order) on one of the machines. It ran through the rest of the day but the following morning would not boot.

Issue: Boot loop into BSOD where three different stop codes alternate appearing. I.e. first message appears, then when the restart occurs sometimes one of the other messages will appear)

Stop Codes presented:

”Kernel security check failure”
“Unexpected kernel mode trap”
”System thread exception not handled”

I understand most people point to a driver issue and have seen recommended steps to resolve. However, I cannot seem to get to any of the aptly mentioned areas. Cannot load Windows (Thus can not figure out how to create dump files), WinRE, Safe Mode, Bootable USB Media.

All attempts bring me to this screen. I’ve seen rare instances of it preparing to repair but it kicks to the stop code screen within no more than 2 seconds.

Being that I have two essentially identical systems I swapped the NVME SSD’s to test.

Result: The issue does not follow the SSD.
Swapped the RAM as well along with clearing CMOS with no change. Haven’t swapped the CPU’s yet as I need to find my thermal paste (though I feel this may not be necessary).

Specs:
Windows 10 64-bit (Up-to-date)
ASUS ROG STRIX B450-F Gaming
BIOS Version 3003
AMD Ryzen 3200g
G.SKILL 16GB (2 x 8GB) Ripjaws V Series DDR4 PC4-25600 3200MHz
Corsair CX Series 650W 80 plus bronze

If these issues arose due to incompatibility of drivers with an update or other Windows OS specific problem. Why would the issue persist when a different Boot SSD was used?

At any rate, I’m at a loss and very much appreciate any help in finding a resolution here.

Thanks all.

[veeg]

Hello

If i read your post correctly you cannot get into safe mode?

[Nleavelle]

Thanks for your response.
This is correct. Also cannot get bootable USB media to load up either.

[Nleavelle]

Hello

If i read your post correctly you cannot get into safe mode?

Thanks for your response and to whomever (if it wasn’t you) for moving this to the applicable thread.

This is correct. Also cannot get bootable USB media to load up either.

This occurs with either NVME SSD tested.

[phillpower2]

I built two generally identical PC’s.

Unless the computers are 100% identical hardware & software wise you cannot easily take a boot device out of one UEFI BIOS computer and place it into another, you could get away with it on legacy BIOS computers running OSs up to Windows 7 as you could tap F8 to get into safe mode and uninstall any incompatible drivers from there, not so easy with UEFI BIOS and Windows 8.1/10 down to there being no F8 option to access Safe Mode.

What I would do is put the original storage device and RAM back and then try getting into the Windows (RE) see canned info below for trying to get into the RE;

See if you are able to force the computer to start in the Windows Recovery Environment (RE) by starting up and shutting down the computer two or three times using the case power button, please note that you need to shut down the computer after the MBs splash screen and just before Windows attempts to load, if successful you should then continue to the Troubleshooting options and then hopefully be able to use a system restore point or Safe Mode etc.

[Nleavelle]

Unless the computers are 100% identical hardware & software wise you cannot easily take a boot device out of one UEFI BIOS computer and place it into another, you could get away with it on legacy BIOS computers running OSs up to Windows 7 as you could tap F8 to get into safe mode and uninstall any incompatible drivers from there, not so easy with UEFI BIOS and Windows 8.1/10 down to there being no F8 option to access Safe Mode.

What I would do is put the original storage device and RAM back and then try getting into the Windows (RE) see canned info below for trying to get into the RE;

See if you are able to force the computer to start in the Windows Recovery Environment (RE) by starting up and shutting down the computer two or three times using the case power button, please note that you need to shut down the computer after the MBs splash screen and just before Windows attempts to load, if successful you should then continue to the Troubleshooting options and then hopefully be able to use a system restore point or Safe Mode etc.

Thanks for the help here.

To clarify on the hardware the only difference between them is the SSD brand and the memory in that case.

One is using 4x8GB sticks of rip jaws and the other is using 2x16GB of vengeance. Both 3200 speed C16. BIOS is set to auto for all cpu/memory settings on both boards.

I will absolutely do as you suggested but will have to wait until Close of Business to test.

That said, I did attempt Safe Mode as the canned info suggests (as well as trying to use bootable USB) prior to trying hardware swaps.

Just so I have a much information on next steps as possible though:

If, when I reattempt Safe Mode with original configuration fails..

What would my nexts steps be?

The data of the affected system is backed up and current.

Is there anyway to factory reset the motherboard, clean install Windows on the currentLy affected SSD? Or a brand new replacement SSD?

Thanks again for all assistance, information, and understanding.

[phillpower2]

To clarify on the hardware the only difference between them is the SSD brand and the memory in that case.

Unrecognised drivers for the SSD would upset the apple cart.

You have to be able to get into the RE before you can try Safe Mode, if you don[ICODE]t have the computer in front of you or don[/ICODE]t have the time to get to it now I suggest that you post back here when you do, alternatively if you do have the time now, try the RE steps, if you can into the RE check for a system restore point that is before the issue first arose, if no joy there, try Safe Mode only (No Networking) and uninstall any drivers that were installed leading previous to the boot loop happening.

[Nleavelle]

Unrecognised drivers for the SSD would upset the apple cart.

You have to be able to get into the RE before you can try Safe Mode, if you don[ICODE]t have the computer in front of you or don[/ICODE]t have the time to get to it now I suggest that you post back here when you do, alternatively if you do have the time now, try the RE steps, if you can into the RE check for a system restore point that is before the issue first arose, if no joy there, try Safe Mode only (No Networking) and uninstall any drivers that were installed leading previous to the boot loop happening.

Ok copy that and thanks for the clarification and will do. And forgive me as I misspoke about safe mode when I meant RE. (Just to clarify) the originally affected SSD is currently in the other system as it’s a business critical drive so I won’t be able to troubleshoot until End of Day.

I was just wondering next steps you’d suggest in the event I can still not access RE after returning to the original config.

Again, many thanks or your help and understanding.

[phillpower2]

If that`s the case I would leave the other SSD where it is and see what can be done with the drive in your possession, the less a business critical drive is moved around the better + we are unable to help with any work related computer hardware or software.

Post back when you are able to work on this undisturbed, less chance of any mishaps that way.

Can I ask that you do not quote every reply, it really does not help any and just makes for unnecessary reading, thanks.

[Nleavelle]

Apologies there and absolutely no problem.

Will report back.

Thanks again.

[phillpower2]

(y)

[Nleavelle]

Ok I’m back and I return with the issue persisting.
Reinstalled original component configuration and attempted to get into RE to no avail. It does the same thing where it show the “Preparing automatic repair” then kicks directly to the BSOD screen.

Any nexts steps here are appreciated.

[Nleavelle]

Also of note: when using the Bootable USB Media I was able to get to the Windows insignia as if it was trying to load but then within about 5 seconds boots to the BSOD screen with the same error message aforementioned.

[phillpower2]

You may need to disable secure boot so will post my canned info below;

See option five here courtesy of Shawn Brink, Boot to Advanced Startup Options from Windows 10 Installation USB or DVD - Repair your computer.

Secure boot info;

For computers that have UEFI as opposed to legacy BIOS, to be able to boot from your USB device you may need to disable secure boot and change UEFI to CSM Boot, not all computers and BIOS are the same, please refer to your user manual if you have one as the following steps are only one such example.

Power up the computer.

Tap or hold down the key that will allow you to access the BIOS on your computer and then do the following;

Select Security → Secure Boot and then Disabled.

Select Advanced → System Configuration and then Boot Mode.

Change UEFI Boot to CSM Boot.

Save the changes and Exit the BIOS, commonly F10.

[phillpower2]

Any update for us?