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Question

Having to reinstall windows 10 countless times.

Nov 1, 2018 3:25AM PDT

Right. Probably about 12 months ago now, I had a friend put together a custom gaming PC for me. Woo. Yay.
Ever since I have had the damn thing, I have been having issues with Windows 10. Most updates, well they would half update and then freeze, so I would have to turn the computer off and on where the update would fail and then try again another time. Same thing over and over again.
Well one day it black screened, so I took it into an IT. He said parts of my mobo had burnt out so he repaired it against my wishes. I took it home, the problem arose again. This time it entered into a boot loop. So here I am, every damn time, reinstalling my Windows 10.
I just recently replaced my mobo, brand new, hoping that that would somehow fix my problem. I've had it in for a month now and my computer just boot looped again last night. Reinstalled Windows 10 again.
Can someone please help me? I'm about to throw my computer out of a window.
I don't know much about them, but I can try to look up the parts and stuff I have in it.
Please.
PLEEEAAASE HEEELLLPPP!


Oh, also every time I try to "restart" my computer, it freezes.

Post was last edited on November 1, 2018 3:29 AM PDT

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
This sounds like hardware issues.
Nov 1, 2018 11:06AM PDT

Here we have some hundred W10 machines between office and home and not one boot loop issue. It sounds like you need to sort out your PC issues. They sound like hardware.

Did your friend OVERCLOCK anything or use a CRACK to activate Windows?

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Eh
Nov 1, 2018 2:46PM PDT

I don't know. The original OS he used was an OEM. He's built several computers and mine is the only one that's ****** up.
After the first issue, I went out and brought a full copy of Windows 10 from PC Case Gear. I followed Googles instructions on how to install it, and voila.
I apologise but I don't know an awful lot about computers.

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Let's get some reports to see if they show the problems.
Nov 1, 2018 2:51PM PDT

In your case I'm going with two reports rather than just one. I take it you think this is not a spyware or virus issue. If so, just say so and we have a link for that.

Test 1: Does your machine finish the test at Userbenchmark.com?
If so, share the web link of the results.

Test 2: More of a report. Share your Web Speccy results using the instructions at https://www.piriform.com/docs/speccy/using-speccy/publishing-a-speccy-profile-to-the-web

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results
Nov 1, 2018 3:16PM PDT
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Answer
check the hardware in this manner
Nov 1, 2018 12:58PM PDT

Download an ISO of Mint Linux (version 18.3 is stable) and "burn image" to a DVD. Set your BIOS to boot from the DVD. Use it for awhile since it's a fully operating system from the DVD and see if everything works OK. If so, then it's not your hardware, but something to do with Windows 10.

When you installed windows 10 again, did you go to your motherboard manufacturer site, download all the driver files for it, and then install each of them? You can't JUST install windows and always expect everything to work OK.

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PS
Nov 1, 2018 1:00PM PDT
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Aussie link
Nov 1, 2018 2:51PM PDT

Don't suppose you have an aussie link so I don't have to pay millions of dollars for shipping?

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from Australia
Nov 1, 2018 3:16PM PDT
http://ubuntu.net.au/

https://www.ebay.com.au/b/Linux-DVD-Operating-System-Software/11226/bn_10483369

Also, if your drive isn't DVD and need CD instead, probably try Lubuntu 16.04 "Alternate" which will fit on a CD.

Stable-Release-Linux-Mint-18-3-Cinnamon-Sylvia-32-64-Bit-BOOTABLE-DVD

Free Shipping in Australia, just remember to change the country to that, ships from Perth.

Above is Cinnamon Desktop version. Below is the very stable MATE desktop version. Make sure if you need 32 bit or 64 bit. 32 bit runs on almost everything. If older than 10 year computer, best to get 32 bit.

Linux Mint, MATE desktop version 18.3 LTS (long term support)

Post was last edited on November 1, 2018 3:25 PM PDT

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External CD drive
Nov 1, 2018 2:49PM PDT

I only use an external CD drive, will this work with that?
And when I was reinstalling windows, no I didn't, because I didn't know that. I did what Google said, because I don't know much. That's why I'm trying to get help.
Friend has had it a couple times, I don't know how he went about installing windows.

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Well, now you know.
Nov 1, 2018 3:26PM PDT

Give make and model of the computer, we can give you a link to the driver files needed.

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I can't
Nov 1, 2018 3:35PM PDT

I can't give you a make and model for the computer. I can give you the model of the mobo though.

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(NT) OK
Nov 1, 2018 4:02PM PDT
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Answer
A Speccy and Userbenchmark reading.
Nov 1, 2018 3:32PM PDT

I don't usually call for both but in your case it seems to be called for.

1. The Userbenchmark did call out the subpar memory result. The Speccy finds out why.
You have two sticks of RAM but one of them appear to be in the wrong slot. Get your motherboard manual to find where they belong. Then POWER OFF!!! Remove the AC cord, then move them.

2. The CPU and GPU look OK for temperature.

3. The MOTHERBOARD IS SMOKING HOT.
System Temperature: 118 °C
That's way out of where it should be and can lead to OS corruption and other issues. Maybe a chipset cooler or fan has fallen off or died? Fix that! Double check with the motherboard maker's temp reporting tools.

4. Unplug 14GB KDI-MSFT Windows 10 USB Device when not required.

5. BIOS. I'd get that up to date since a lot of the notes are for system stability.

6. Disable this: https://www.howtogeek.com/224981/how-to-stop-windows-10-from-uploading-updates-to-other-pcs-over-the-internet/

SUMMARY. The 118C temp is very concerning. Fix that. Also, the RAM setup should be corrected.

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Uhhm okay.
Nov 1, 2018 3:48PM PDT

Okay. So. ****. Um.
So I at least know what the RAM is, but I just, go all ham and move them around myself? I have never touched the insides of my PC, usually I have someone who knows what they are doing to touch the insides. I'm prone to breaking things.

Okay, so the guy who put the PC together said the 118 degrees is an incorrect reading. Speccy says 118 where apparently "bios and other things say normal temps".

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That's why
Nov 1, 2018 3:52PM PDT

I noted to check with other tools. I don't rely on Speccy alone for this but it's way too high so we have to find out.

As to moving memory sticks there are YouTubes about how to unplug and plug such a thing in but since they didn't get it right and both tests show that, why not have him move it?

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It's going to take a few days
Nov 1, 2018 3:54PM PDT

It's going to take a few days, but instead of touching things myself when I am a computer noob, I'm going to wait until one of my tech savvy friends can have a look and move those things around for me. We'll take a look and try to fix those issues you described. After all that, I'll probably post again in here..

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One More Possibility
Nov 2, 2018 7:04PM PDT

It's possible that your computer's power supply is causing problems. If it's not fully compatible with your motherboard it may produce the symptoms you described. Also, the power supply has a number of cables coming out of it and these connect to your motherboard, graphics card, hard drives, etc. If any one of those cables is not fully plugged in it could result in the symptoms you described. So, check that all the power supply cables are firmly connected. Then double-check compatibility of the power supply generally to the motherboard.
As an example, my girlfriend's 2 year-old PC which I built for her ran great with a Corsair CX-430 power supply. Then I was given a brand new motherboard (different brand) and cpu, so I carefully installed it using the other existing parts of the PC. The result was very similar to what you have been experiencing, even though the new motherboard and cpu draw a bit less power than the previous system. After much testing and head-scratching I replaced the CX-430 with a newer model CS-450. All the problems disappeared and the PC is still running great. Not saying that the issue with your machine, just that it's one more possibility to check out if other solutions fail.
*Extra thought: You might also try running the computer with each stick of RAM separately in case one stick is faulty, and then without the graphics card just in case it's drawing too much power from the power supply.