Insider Dev Builds of 21H2 and Windows 11 fail to boot on an Asus ROG G703GXR

Anonymous
2021-07-03T19:52:10+00:00

I've tried just about every release of 21H2 as well as the new release of Windows 11.

So far, they all react the same way.

Download works fine.

Update during restart works fine.

If further updates need to install, that boot sequence works fine and updates continue to install.

Once it reboots with no further updates to install, the post finishes, there is a bit of disk activity after the post before the spinning circle of dots would normally appear.

That is as far as the boot goes.

It just hangs there, indefinitely.

I've left it sit there for over 48 hours to no avail.

My only recourse is to physically power off the laptop, wait, turn back on and the upgrade is rolled back to the 21H1 installation I am running from the insider beta channel.

The G703GXR is a desktop replacement laptop.

It runs an Intel Core i9, 9980HK, 8 core (2.4Ghz to 5Ghz).

It also has an NVidia RTX 2080.

64GB RAM, 8GB VRAM

1 x Samsung 970 Pro 512GB NVMe for boot.

2 x Samsung 980 SSD 1TB (part of storage space)

1 x Samsung 860 QVO 2TB (part of storage space)

2 x Samsung 970 Pro 512GB NVMe inside ROG ESD-S1C USB-C enclosures.

I've checked and triple-checked all the CMOS/UEFI settings, trying different combinations.

I've gone as far as re-installing from scratch using the 21H1 USB ISO image (which cost me my W10 Pro for Workstations digital license when not all the devices matched the prior install).

I then attempted the 21H2 and W11 insider previews again, same hang at the same place.

What are the differences in the boot sequence for 21H2 and W11 from 21H1?

Is there a way to get any logs or debug information from the boots?

Windows Insider program | Windows Insider preview | Install, activate, and Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

141 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2021-08-31T04:10:54+00:00

    As for getting 21H2 iso, downloaded from Microsoft while it was available prior to W11 hitting beta channel.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2021-08-31T04:09:56+00:00

    Negative on install media problems, as it fails to boot using direct insider updates as well as iso image burn to dvd-dl, or rufus to flash drive.

    Too many times to consider bad media, when media isn't involved aside from standalone trials.

    There most definitely is something different in the boot loader or drivers section for 21H2 that isn't in 21H1, otherwise 21H2 would boot just as every 21H1 update has.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2021-08-31T04:01:39+00:00

    21H1 and 21H2 are the exact same code except for the Enablement package which is only naming of 19044.1200 instead of 19043.1200 all the drivers should be the same.

    Sounds more and more like bad Installation media.

    How did you get the 21H2 ISO to create the installation USB Flash ?

    (Forget about the DVD, that is just another complication).

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2021-08-31T03:46:34+00:00

    Never gets to any place that I could interact with.

    Power On - Post - Strobe - Hangs before spinning circle of dots. (is there a name for that?) aside from SCoD?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2021-08-31T03:46:22+00:00

    Yes, both usb flash and DL DVD.

    I've applied every 21H1 update and all work flawlessly.

    It is only when I try 21H2 or W11 that things go sideways.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments