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

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  1. 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.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-08-31T03:43:02+00:00

    Never gets to disk select when booting from USB Flash or DVD, so I don't know what would be shown.

    If I could get it to boot to command line from the usb media instead, I could run diskpart to see what it sees.

    On the second screen where it says "Install now / Repair your computer" click Shift + F10

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-08-31T03:29:10+00:00

    Does it boot from the USB media of current official 21H1 19043.928 made with MS Media Creation Tool ?

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-08-31T03:25:46+00:00

    Yes, I have. First they tried a rookie mistake - oh, that's just in development, please wait until it is released.

    When I told them that they'd want to resolve the issue BEFORE 21H2 or W11 were released unless they wanted a major black eye for an entire platform failing to upgrade, finally got a bit of traction. Helped when I went through my ASUS ROG software beta test contact and sent up the contact info of all 4 of us that are on the same platform, with the same problem.

    Now, just waiting for them to pick a time to contact me.

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-08-31T03:20:21+00:00

    Never gets to disk select when booting from USB Flash or DVD, so I don't know what would be shown.

    If I could get it to boot to command line from the usb media instead, I could run diskpart to see what it sees.

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