Freezes to product logo on boot


If you can access to BIOS ensure that BIOS updated to the latest version. If the version is up-to-date or you can’t access the BIOS try to unattach all hard drives from the motherboard and boot pc/laptop to see if it helps.

When successful without hard drives attached and Bios is up-to-date already try adding your other hard drives and to boot the machine after each addition.

If one of the hard drives is so broken that whole unit gets stuck you’ll propably notice when you have added a faulty one to your build. Or if you have a faulty connection on hard drive contact slot. Rule that one out aswell by contacting hard drives on each others places in the build.

And you can always check if the pc/laptop/component manufacturer offers hardware diagnostic tools for their products. Often they do.

–> If all works after Bios update then gz!

-> When your device gets stuck on logo without hard drives attached to it the motherboard is propably broken.

-> Unit still gets stuck on product logo on boot after Bios update: The motherboard is propably broken.


Stuck on Windows loading screen loop

Usually a Windows problem. Some of those problems can be fixed with Windows repair tools. With Windows installation/repair media tool on usb you can do a lot. For example uninstall recent updates, use recovery image and use CMD. (Possible from Windows USB without entering Windows installation on your pc hard drive)

Windows USB tool:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-installation-media-for-windows-99a58364-8c02-206f-aa6f-40c3b507420d#id0ejd=windows_11

You can download Widows USB-tool from manufacturers site and run it from usb. Move usb first in boot order, boot the device. When it loads to Windows installation/repair tool pay attention to the smaller text on the left “Repair your computer”.

If your motherboard refuses booting from USB or doesn’t show USB boot in pre-boot menu go to Bios and check if there is an option called “Secure Boot”. It’s meant to prevent booting from external devices so  turn that one Off and try again. But note your surroundings. If you aren’t an administrator of the device – Secure Boot is usually “On” for cyber security reasons.


Sadface/error messages on blue screen

I know sometimes the error message on boot flashes really fast. Especially when display reacts to boot with a latency. But if you want to recover you OS try to see the message and see if it’s hardware-related or a Windows error code. (Google :’D) With Windows error message try recovering from usb.

INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE -error can mean missconfigured BIOS settings for booting or Windows problem. This message on hard drive fail is rare. In this case I would check the RAID/ACHI-, Secure Boot- and UEFI-setting and see if BIOS is latest version. You can try re-setting BIOS back to defaults. If no help proceed with Windows repair USB we talked about earlier in this article.



BIOS-version

Update your Bi-ASS!
If turning Secure Boot ‘Off’ helps to boot on internal drive, BIOS is malfunctioning
-> Update your   B-!

(Most people propably won’t do this if after changing Secure Boot setting if they are able to get back to their OS – be smarter!)


RAID-on

I doubt this setting goes on by itself – read what Raid and Mirroring means if this was your own doeing!

Sometimes systems refuse to work with Raid setting on if you have only 1 hard drive installed. And there is just no point of having this setting selected with just 1 drive!
–> “ACHI” -sata mode will usually work just fine. So select that and try booting again after applying changes.

Hope your workstation is up and running! If you are having a problem with you PC feel free to describe it down in the comments. Maybe I can help or write some suggestions what to try next.



Read part 1/2: https://jurotar.fi/blog/index.php/2025/08/11/common-boot-problems-1-2/