CPU or Motherboard dying?

[CabanaBanana]

I am trying to do a fresh install of windows but as soon as I get to the spinning circles, it blue screens with numerous errors such as:



whea uncorrectable error

0xc000021a

machine check exception



But I can get to the BIOS and change settings as long as I like, but nothing past that. So I am trying to figure out if this is a dead/dying CPU or Motherboard.



I have tried:



several different sticks of ram, even brand new kit, and i've tried in different slots

Different SSDs

SSD with windows already installed

reset CMOS



Hardware:

i7-10700
NZXT N7 Z490

 

[Ociya Syndor]

did the whea error lead you to the 'fresh install'?
i doubt it's either cpu/mobo if your getting into bios & initializing installation. sounds like a storage issue.
might be worth reviewing all bios settings>storage>boot>csm/uefi settings.
win10 or win11? what's your install media usb?

 

[CabanaBanana]

did the whea error lead you to the 'fresh install'?
i doubt it's either cpu/mobo if your getting into bios & initializing installation. sounds like a storage issue.
might be worth reviewing all bios settings>storage>boot>csm/uefi settings.
win10 or win11? what's your install media usb?

did the whea error lead you to the 'fresh install'?

The hardware was purchased used without knowing the history

i doubt it's either cpu/mobo if your getting into bios & initializing installation. sounds like a storage issue.

I've tried multiple different storage drives including an SSD with windows already installed from a different computer

might be worth reviewing all bios settings>storage>boot>csm/uefi settings.

What would I be looking for? I have tried enabling CSM and also tried reset CMOS

win10 or win11? what's your install media usb?

Tried both Win10 and Win11 with both UEFI and MBR install usb drives. Created with Rufus, which I've had hundreds of successful installs with on different PCs before.

 

[VuurVOS]

Can you list the full system specifications and which spare parts you have used?

 

[Vya Domus]

I would blame the motherboard at this point probably, it's incredibly rare for CPUs to go bad.

 

[AleXXX666]

I would blame the motherboard at this point probably, it's incredibly rare for CPUs to go bad.

ram/ssd too.

 

[Lost_Troll]

When you say you tried different SSD's, were these SATA or NVME?

You may want to try a different SATA port or NVME slot and see if t fixes the issue.

 

[izy]

You should try to underclock your CPU and see if it fixes the problem , you can also try ECO mode if your motherboard has one. (check if your CPU cooler works and is fitted OK)
Try a new PSU if you havent done that, worth a shot.
Check all the cables connected to your motherboard and other components , remove all unnecessary components and USB ports (keep only CPU and SSD, remove the GPU too , you have integrated video)
Disable all extra stuff from your BIOS (like onboard sound , network , COM ports etc.. , everything that you can turn off)
Check for a BIOS update and update your BIOS, you can consider even an downgrade to a different version if there isnt a newer one .
You may want to try a different SATA port or NVME slot and see if t fixes the issue. (as @Lost_Troll said).
Use a new USB stick and make a new Windows install drive and try with it. (try different USB ports too)

For testing purpose you can use a Linux live USB stick and see if you can get into the operating system.

Create the bootable media — Linux Mint Installation Guide documentation

linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io

If nothing worked after you tried all of this you should check your CPU SOCKET and see if any broken pins and if not the easy route to debug further is to test your CPU in other motherboard or your motherboard with a different CPU.

The 0xC000021A error can occur if there were corrupt system files in the computer, a failed upgrade, or an incomplete installation of a software program.

Good luck.

 

[wNotyarD]

Out of curiosity, can you run a Linux live distro from USB? Not telling you to use it as your daily driver, but it may help checking UEFI or disk errors.

 

[Vya Domus]

ram/ssd too.

As I understand he said he tried different RAM sticks and drives.

 

[SL2]

Created with Rufus, which I've had hundreds of successful installs with on different PCs before.

Try something else as well, like Windows own USB install software, or Winsetupfromusb.

Not that I'm certain that it will fix the problem in this specific case tho, but it's a simple thing to try out.
IIRC, I've had issues with that software on some specific computer, it never worked and I never knew why.

Trying out Linux like someone said is also an alternative.

Also, try a different USB drive, and different USB connectors, including USB 2.0 (even though W10 have the needed drivers in the ISO).

 

[Bill_Bright]

Whenever troubleshooting possible hardware problems, and because everything inside the case depends on it, one must always actually verify (and not assume) they are providing good, clean, stable power. As a certified electronics technician, I never assume the power supply is good, even if a brand new, top-of-the-line model from a highly reputable maker.

You need to swap in a known good supply and see what happens - if for no other reason than to verify your current supply is good.

Heat is also a potential suspect. Did you properly mount the CPU? Did you ensure a good flow of cool air through the case?

 

[neatfeatguy]

Do you have multiple storage device installed in the system while you're trying to install Windows?

I had issues with Windows 10 (can't say it's the same for 11) installing properly that caused BSOD immediately after Windows installs and loads into Windows or would cause spinning circles and never get through or even start the install process of Windows when I had multiple storage devices connected to the system.

Once I removed all other storage devices other than the one I was installing the OS on the issue went away.