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
    2021-09-03T20:56:44+00:00

    Sophos is actually one of the top corporate anti-malware/anti-spyware/anti-virus platforms.

    They have a home version as well which is centrally managed through your home account web interface.

    Basically once set up, can prevent users (my kids) from changing settings or disabling of the protection.

    Installed Win 10 Pro per the online license associated with the laptop, then purchased upgrade to Workstation for the Storage Space management and ReFS.

    Z: is a NAS drive where downloads are stored. Not sure why that would a bit of difference, but could try it just for kicks.

    Note: Downloads folder would have nothing to do with booting from ISO hanging.

    Spoke with ASUS support to try and get started working with their engineering support to try and determine the root cause for this platform issue so that when 11 is released Oct 5th, they won't get a black eye for having a bollixed platform.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-09-03T20:57:26+00:00

    Downloading now, hoping for the best, but expectations are that nothing will have changed.

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-09-03T21:13:45+00:00

    Downloading now, hoping for the best, but expectations are that nothing will have changed.

    Worked fine for me on any of my machines, but I don't have Asus ROG G703GXR.

    Also I build my own installation media with FAT32,

    I stopped using Rufus 😎 long time ago.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-09-03T21:20:50+00:00

    Burning to a DVD+R DL... so native ISO image.

    I knew I kept an external burner for some reason, much like the external 3.5" USB FDD as well.

    Got a Jazz drive somewhere, as well as 120MB 3.5" IDE FDD and a ZIP 250...

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-09-03T21:24:18+00:00

    The downloads folder is a normal, default user folder. Since yours was not showing up at all in the log, while the Public Downloads folder was, possibly moving such a user folder is not allowed. Just trying to find something to help..

    When Oct. 5th rolls around, keep in mind this may not be a normal full release to the public.. The rules seem to have changed so the process may also.

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