Windows 10 Clean Install Issue

I have an new build desktop PC running an MSI B150 Gaming mobo, 8 GB Crucial RAM (2 x 4GB), and an EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 video card. Windows recently failed, giving a blue screen on startup, which led me to try a clean install of Win 10 x64. I'm using a USB installation media downloaded from Microsoft's website. The USB will boot fine to the Windows logo every time, but after about 20 seconds of the spinning circle, 9 times out of 10 it will go the a blank (black) screen and just stay like that. Every now and then however, if I keep trying it, it will go to the setup screen. But if I try to start the installation, i select the language etc.. and it will get stuck at the "Setup Is Starting" screen. I've tried running it from both the external video card, and the integrated DVI port, with the same result. I've also tried doing the RAM dance with no success. I'm starting to think it's the mobo, which would suck, because it's only 3 or 4 months old. Anybody have any thoughts on what else could be causing it?

 

I would test the hard drive, first - Many times I have found an installation will not carry through, when the hard drive had a few bad sectors.

 

I would absolutely agree, if it was failing during the installation process itself. But I'm rarely getting into the setup screen,and haven't been able to get the actual installation itself to start at all. I haven't even been able tog et far enough as to select which drive I will be installing to. Is it not just running off of the installation media at this point?

 

Have you tried a different USB port? Or a fresh download?

 

I would suggest to try a fresh download of w10, to re-install- perhaps the usb has a problem..(I note that Earthling has also suggested that, while I was considering a reply) I have had a usb stick play up with installation media, and done a re-download that appeared to fix it.
External Video card fault, -cable?
I have had new hard drives go within a very short time-
One thing, though as Earthling says- have you tried another usb port ?

 

I've tried creating a new installation media to a fresh USB stick, same result though. I even tried 8.1 x64 v. 10 x64 just to see, but even that, same thing. I've used two different usb ports, but they are both on the front of the computer and use the same connection to to the mobo. I'll try one on the back and see if it makes a difference (the rear ones come directly off the mobo, so it might). It's the same result while using the external video or integrated, but I can try removing the external card just to see if it's causing the issue.

 

So the USB port seems to have been the issue. I switched it to one of the rear ports (direct to mobo) and it worked. I don't think it's a coincidence either, cause I had to restart the installation a few times to make some BIOS/UEFI changes, and it worked every time. Thanks for all the help with getting to the bottom of it!

 

Thanks for the feedback - always good to have.

 

Sometimes the obvious is too easy to try, and not the first thing thought of, but we are pleased to know it is resolved.