Question:

How can I troubleshoot a persistent blue screen of death issue that prevents Windows 11 from booting? >
> I am experiencing a severe problem with my custom-built PC that runs Windows 11. Whenever I try to boot it, I encounter a blue screen of death (BSOD) with various error codes, such as ACPI Bios Error, IRQL Not Less or Equal, Kernel Security Check Failure, etc. This issue started after my PC froze while playing Cyberpunk 2077, and I have not been able to boot into Windows since then. I have tried several methods to fix it, such as resetting the BIOS, updating the BIOS, and attempting to enter safe mode, but none of them worked. The PC either gets stuck on the repairing screen or loops back to the BSOD. I have also noticed that this issue occurred once before, about two months ago, but it resolved itself after multiple restarts. However, this time it seems to be more persistent and serious. I suspect that there might be some hardware or driver compatibility issues with my PC components, which are listed below: >
> – Mobo: Asus Tuf Gaming Z690-Plus Wifi D4 > – CPU: I5 12600k > – RAM: 16gb DDR4 > – GPU: RTX 4070 > – Storage: 1tb M2 Samsung SSD (primary), 2 TB HDD > – PSU: 750w >
> Unfortunately, I cannot access the dump file since I cannot boot into Windows. I would appreciate any advice or guidance from experts on how to diagnose and resolve this issue. Thank you for your time and attention.

Answer:

How to troubleshoot a persistent blue screen of death issue that prevents Windows 11 from booting?

>
> A blue screen of death (BSOD) is a serious error that occurs when Windows encounters a problem that it cannot recover from. It usually displays a stop code and a sad face, followed by a restart or a shutdown. There are many possible causes for a BSOD, such as hardware failures, driver conflicts, software bugs, malware infections, or corrupted system files. In this article, we will focus on a specific scenario where a custom-built PC running Windows 11 fails to boot due to a persistent BSOD issue. We will also provide some possible solutions and tips to prevent this problem from happening again. >
>

The problem

>
> The user reported that their PC froze while playing Cyberpunk 2077, a demanding game that requires a powerful graphics card and processor. After that, the PC could not boot into Windows 11, and instead showed a blue screen with various error codes, such as ACPI Bios Error, IRQL Not Less or Equal, Kernel Security Check Failure, and more. The user tried to fix the issue by resetting and updating the BIOS, and attempting to enter safe mode, but none of these methods worked. The PC either got stuck on the repairing screen or looped back to the BSOD. The user also noticed that this issue occurred once before, about two months ago, but it resolved itself after multiple restarts. However, this time it seemed to be more persistent and serious. The user suspected that there might be some hardware or driver compatibility issues with their PC components, which were listed as follows: >
> – Mobo: Asus Tuf Gaming Z690-Plus Wifi D4 > – CPU: I5 12600k > – RAM: 16gb DDR4 > – GPU: RTX 4070 > – Storage: 1tb M2 Samsung SSD (primary), 2 TB HDD > – PSU: 750w >
> Unfortunately, the user could not access the dump file, which is a file that contains information about the crash, since they could not boot into Windows. The user asked for advice or guidance from experts on how to diagnose and resolve this issue. >
>

The diagnosis

>
> Based on the user’s description, the most likely cause for the BSOD issue was a hardware or driver compatibility problem. This could happen if the user installed a new component that was not compatible with their motherboard, processor, or operating system, or if they updated a driver that was faulty or outdated. Some of the error codes that the user encountered, such as ACPI Bios Error and IRQL Not Less or Equal, indicated that there was a problem with the power management or the interrupt request level of the system. This could be related to the motherboard, the processor, or the power supply unit. Other error codes, such as Kernel Security Check Failure and System Thread Exception Not Handled, suggested that there was a problem with the kernel or the system thread of Windows. This could be related to the graphics card, the storage device, or the system files. To narrow down the possible cause, the user needed to perform some troubleshooting steps, such as checking the hardware connections, testing the memory, scanning the disk, and updating or rolling back the drivers. >
>

The solution

>
> To fix the BSOD issue that prevented Windows 11 from booting, the user had to follow these steps: >
> 1. Check the hardware connections. The user had to make sure that all the components were properly connected and seated in their slots. They also had to check the power cables and the fans, and make sure that there was no dust or debris that could interfere with the airflow or the electrical contact. If the user had recently installed a new component, they had to remove it and see if the problem persisted. If the problem was resolved, then the new component was likely the culprit, and the user had to either replace it or find a compatible driver for it. > 2. Test the memory. The user had to test the RAM modules for any errors or defects. They could use a tool such as MemTest86, which is a free program that can run from a USB drive or a CD. The user had to download the program from the official website, create a bootable media, and then boot the PC from it. The program would automatically run a series of tests on the memory and report any errors or failures. If the user found any errors, they had to replace the faulty RAM module or try a different slot. > 3. Scan the disk. The user had to scan the storage device for any errors or bad sectors. They could use a tool such as CHKDSK, which is a built-in utility in Windows that can run from the command prompt. The user had to create a Windows 11 installation media from another PC, using a tool such as the Media Creation Tool. The user had to insert the media into the PC, boot from it, and then select Repair your computer. Then, they had to choose Troubleshoot, Advanced options, and Command Prompt. In the command prompt, they had to type `chkdsk C: /f /r /x` and press Enter. This command would scan the C drive, fix any errors, recover any readable information from bad sectors, and dismount the volume before scanning. The user had to wait for the process to complete, and then restart the PC. If the user had more than one drive, they had to repeat the command for each drive letter. > 4. Update or roll back the drivers. The user had to update or roll back the drivers for the components that could be causing the BSOD, such as the graphics card, the motherboard, or the processor. They could use a tool such as Driver Booster, which is a free program that can scan the PC for outdated or missing drivers and update them automatically. The user had to download the program from the official website, install it, and then run it. The program would show a list of drivers that needed to be updated, and the user had to click Update All. The user had to wait for the process to finish, and then restart the PC. Alternatively, the user could roll back the drivers to a previous version, if they had recently updated them and the problem started after that. The user had to boot the PC in safe mode, which is a mode that only loads the essential drivers and services. To do this, the user had to press and hold the power button until the PC turned off, and then repeat this process two more times. On the third time, the PC would enter the Windows Recovery Environment. The user had to choose Troubleshoot, Advanced options, Startup Settings, and Restart. Then, they had to press F4 to select Enable Safe Mode. In safe mode, the user had to open Device Manager, which is a tool that shows all the devices and drivers on the PC. The user had to right-click on the device that they wanted to roll back, and choose Properties. Then, they had to click on the Driver tab, and choose Roll Back Driver. The user had to follow the on-screen instructions, and then restart the PC. >
>

The prevention

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> To prevent the BSOD issue from happening again, the user had to follow some best practices, such as: >
> – Keep the PC clean and cool. The user had to regularly clean the PC from dust and debris, and make sure that the fans were working properly. They also had to avoid placing the PC near heat sources or in direct sunlight, and ensure that there was enough ventilation around it. > – Keep the PC updated and protected. The user had to regularly check for and install the latest updates for Windows 11, the drivers, and the applications. They also had to use a reliable antivirus program and scan the PC for any malware or viruses. > – Keep the PC backed up and restored. The user had to regularly back up their important files and settings to an external drive or a cloud service. They also had to create a system restore point, which is a snapshot of the system state at a certain point in time. This way, they could restore the PC to a previous state if something went wrong. To create a system restore point, the user had to open Control Panel, and choose System and Security, System, and System Protection. Then, they had to click on Create, and give the restore point a name and a description. To restore the PC, the user had to open Control Panel, and choose Recovery, Open System Restore, and Next. Then, they had to select the restore point that they wanted to use, and click Next. The user had to follow the on-screen instructions, and then restart the PC. >
>

The conclusion

>
> A BSOD issue that prevents Windows 11 from booting can be a frustrating and scary experience, but it can be fixed with some troubleshooting steps and tips. The user had to check the hardware connections, test the memory, scan the disk, and update or roll back the drivers. The user also had to keep the PC clean, cool, updated, protected, backed up, and restored. By following these steps and tips, the user could hopefully resolve the issue and enjoy their PC again..