Troubleshooting a Persistent PC Boot Loop: Seeking Solutions

For the past several days, I’ve been grappling with a frustrating issue involving my gaming PC. Everything was functioning smoothly until I attempted a routine restart. Since that moment, my computer has been stuck in a seemingly endless boot loop, indicated by a persistent yellow DRAM light on the motherboard.

The Problem Unfolds

After the restart, my system failed to progress to the BIOS screen, cycling on and off repeatedly. The only workaround I’ve discovered is pressing the “Clear CMOS” button located on the back of the motherboard panel. This action allows me to access the BIOS temporarily, but as soon as I attempt to boot into Windows, the loop resumes.

Sometimes, I’ve had a flicker of success by enabling “Boot Overdrive” in the BIOS, which occasionally lets me boot normally. However, those brief moments of functionality often lead me to a Blue Screen of Death displaying the error code “INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE.” This is particularly perplexing since I recently performed a fresh Windows installation, which initially worked fine. Yet, after shutting down, I’m back at square one with the boot loop.

Extensive Troubleshooting Attempts

Out of sheer determination, I’ve explored numerous solutions in hopes of resolving the dilemma:

• Adjusted the XMP settings, toggling them on and off.
• Updated the BIOS to the latest version.
• Completely wiped all drives.
• Removed and re-seated the CMOS battery.
• Swapped RAM modules and tried different slots.
• Loosened the CPU cooler in case of pressure issues.
• Verified the health of my storage device, which reported as ‘good.’
• Ensured all drivers, including those for the RAID controller, were up to date.

Despite these comprehensive efforts, nothing appears to have rectified the situation.

A Call for Help

Regrettably, I’m running out of viable options and finding it challenging to pinpoint the root cause of this issue. It’s important to note that this isn’t my first build; having constructed PCs for over a decade, I typically encounter minimal issues. However, this particular problem has proven to be an unanticipated challenge, and I’d prefer to resolve it myself rather than resorting to professional assistance.

If you have experienced similar issues or have insights that could assist me in breaking this cycle, I would greatly appreciate your input. Thank you for taking the time to read my post; let’s collaborate to conquer this vexing problem