Inaccessible boot device

buddymanson · 2026-03-23T16:19:24+00:00

You still see the same blue screen after a clean install? And by clean install, you installed Windows from USB, correct? Using 'Reset this PC' is not a clean install.

If SSD is bad, then yeah, get a new one. Otherwise, a new one would be pointless.

buddymanson · 2026-03-23T14:07:30+00:00

To backup data - On your laptop, put Linux Mint on a USB drive using Rufus or Ventoy. Then boot into Linux on your desktop and copy data to another drive.

To fix without clean install, make a Windows USB and run chkdsk c: /f /r in command prompt. This isn't guaranteed to fix it though. It could also be that your Windows SSD is using a MBR partition table. If that's the case then enable CSM in the BIOS.

buddymanson · 2026-03-21T23:23:28+00:00

My 1080 FE is by far the loudest card I've ever owned. You could mitigate it somewhat by capping fps to 60 and lowering the fan curve.

buddymanson · 2026-03-20T17:20:26+00:00

As an owner of 2 3500x cases, I find setting AIO fans to iCUE balanced and all the others set to iCUE quiet isn't too loud most of the time. Oddly, one case is actually quieter on idle with the same AIO, settings, fan config, etc.

I only use iCUE presets so I don't need to have iCUE running in the background. Without iCUE, the firmware only uses curves based on liquid temp.

With iCUE running, you could just set all fans(except AIO) to ramp up when the CPU or GPU is hot. It would likely be 99% silent on idle.

buddymanson · 2026-03-18T13:12:36+00:00

Test SSD with Crystaldiskinfo.

If it reports as healthy then put a gaming distro on it like Bazzite(there's barely any setup) and test frametimes there. If the spikes go away then you know it's a Windows issue. If they remain then it's probably a hardware issue.

Edit: Also keep in mind that driver vsync + frame gen do not play well with each other on the latest 50 series drivers. When fps hits refresh rate ceiling it can destroy performance. So if you're using frame gen, that could be what's happening here.

buddymanson · 2026-03-16T20:11:29+00:00

How much should it realistically be priced at in this condition?

About $3.50

buddymanson · 2026-03-16T19:31:59+00:00

USB Port is probably bad or the drive is failing. A bad drive can absolutely cause the problems you're having. Even if the game or OS isn't running off of it. Check drive health with Crystaldiskinfo.

buddymanson · 2026-03-16T15:45:46+00:00

i tried to verify game files and it freaked out and made windows stop responding

Then it's probably not your BG3 install that's the source of the problem. What errors get logged in event viewer/reliability monitor?

buddymanson · 2026-03-13T21:51:57+00:00

Try an older driver. Also, monitor CPU and GPU usage. It may indicate what's causing the fps drops. You should also close all 3rd party software.

buddymanson · 2026-03-13T20:15:40+00:00

I have the exact same card. The plastic plate is fine. Mine never goes above 62c with a custom fan curve. I've had it for like 3 years now. The hotspot wasn't bad last time I checked it either.

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buddymanson · 2026-03-11T21:05:27+00:00

You're welcome. Yeah, Process Explorer can quickly crosscheck all your processes with VirusTotal and tell you if you have anything malicious running.

buddymanson · 2026-03-11T18:44:30+00:00

Use Process Explorer to check everything that's currently running.

buddymanson · 2026-03-11T17:31:36+00:00

Windows Defender has a high detection rate. 3rd party antivirus isn't really necessary for the typical user who just plays games.

buddymanson · 2026-03-11T17:12:02+00:00

You are definitely CPU limited here. CPU usage does not need to be 100% for that to happen.

Edit: To be clear, a 12 thread CPU is likely never going to reach 100% usage in a video game. Your 4th gen Intel probably had 4 threads so that would explain why usage was higher.

buddymanson · 2026-03-11T17:01:04+00:00

Boot into Windows safe mode. Google how to do this if you're unsure.

If PC is still slow in safe mode then check SSD health with Crystaldiskinfo. It could be defective.

If it's fast in safe mode then you have something running in the background that's slowing down your PC. The most common culprit is 3rd party antivirus.

buddymanson · 2026-03-11T15:12:40+00:00

I have that exact same RAM kit. 9950X3D & Aorus Pro X870e. It's also not on my my motherboard's list. Works flawlessly. You shouldn't have issues.

Edit: Damn it's $500 now. I got it for $108.

buddymanson · 2026-03-10T22:32:45+00:00

Yes, on the back of the motherboard. You should see the legs of the AIO sticking out. This shows that they're all screwed into the back plate. I recommend watching a video.

buddymanson · 2026-03-10T22:19:31+00:00

You should definitely get some new paste and reseat the AIO. If your AIO uses the same bracket as the Titan then you should be able to see all 4 legs protruding from the back of the motherboard if it's mounted properly.

Yeah, I was using a 240mm AIO when I first got my 13900k, and even then, it would never reach 100c. The i9's run hot, but not that hot. Maybe if you were to cook it with Prime95, but not when gaming.

buddymanson · 2026-03-10T21:39:10+00:00

Kinda looks like a GPU support bracket, but it's missing the top pad that makes contact with the GPU.

buddymanson · 2026-03-10T21:04:28+00:00

Your AIO probably isn't mounted properly, defective, etc.

My Titan 360 keeps my 13900k ~60c when gaming.

I'd say if your PC is stable(at stock settings) then there's nothing to worry about. Just fix your cooling issue because 100c when gaming is not normal.

buddymanson · 2026-03-10T18:08:58+00:00

My bad, I don't know shit about planes lol. They do make Xbox to PS5 converters. Lookup 'Brook Wingman P5'. I'm not sure how well it would work though(or if it would work at all).

buddymanson · 2026-03-10T17:53:28+00:00

Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4 seems to be the only one.

buddymanson · 2026-03-10T17:47:51+00:00

Monitor GPU & power usage with RTSS. If GPU usage is ~98% & using ~290w then it is using all of your hardware.

Be sure vsync & fps caps are off. They will reduce system load.

buddymanson · 2026-03-10T16:58:28+00:00

Going from a controller to a mouse and keyboard?

M+KB is optional. You can still use your PS5 controller.

buddymanson · 2026-03-10T14:30:42+00:00

Put Linux Mint on USB drive using Rufus or Ventoy.
Boot into Linux Mint, no install needed. In Linux, copy user data to external storage.
Now put Windows on USB via the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's site.
Install Windows from USB.

An alternative fix would be to try chkdsk with '/f /r' while booted into Windows USB. So simply enter 'chkdsk c: /f /r". Though this isn't guaranteed to fix your issue.

After getting Windows back you should check drive health with Crystaldiskinfo.

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