Understanding and Troubleshooting Complex PC Issues: A Case Study
Introduction
Building and maintaining a functional personal computer involves numerous variables, from hardware compatibility to software stability. Recently, a user encountered a series of perplexing problems following a hardware upgrade, highlighting the challenges of troubleshooting in a modern Windows environment. This article aims to dissect the reported issues, explore potential causes, and provide guidance for IT professionals and tech enthusiasts facing similar scenarios.
System Overview
The user’s PC comprises the following components:
- Motherboard: Asus PRIME A320M-K/BR
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT (used, previously a Ryzen 5 1600)
- Graphics Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
- Memory: 16GB Corsair DDR4-2400 MHz (2×8 GB)
- Storage:
- 1TB NVMe SSD (Reletech P400 EVO PCIe 2.0)
- Multiple 1TB HDDs (Seagate Barracuda, Samsung HD)
- Power Supply: Corsair CX500 V2, 500W, 80 Plus Bronze
Key Problems and Observations
- Corruption in PNG Images
The user reports that certain PNG images display with vertical striped lines, both within Windows and on external devices like smartphones. The corruption appears intrinsic to the image files themselves, not just rendering issues. Similar artifacts are observed even on Ubuntu, indicating a possible file corruption or compatibility problem.
- Failed Windows 11 Installation and Boot Failures
Following a processor upgrade, Windows 11 consistently Blue Screens during startup, notably at the initial logo display. Multiple reinstallations, BIOS tweaks, and troubleshooting attempts have failed. While a rare successful installation occurred, subsequent reboots continued to trigger blue screens, prompting a rollback to Windows 10.
- Limited Internet Access in Windows Applications
Post hardware upgrade, native Windows apps—including Microsoft Edge, Windows Update, Microsoft Store, and Copilot—are unable to access the internet. Notably, Windows 10’s Windows Update retains connectivity, but Edge and Store do not. External browsers installed via USB function correctly after manual installation.
- Performance and Gaming
Despite network issues, general performance remains unaffected. Gaming benchmarks, including titles like Far Cry 5, show normal performance, except for Battlefield 1, which displays an immediate error message on launch.
Analysis and Potential Causes
**Hardware
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