Different error codes when installing windows 10: IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL, Clock Watchdog Timeout, driver power state failure.

[OVill4]

I just got this brand new Intel NUC Kit NUC8i3BEK, and bought these

• Crucial P1 1TB 3D NAND NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD - CT1000P1SSD8
• Kingston Technology HyperX Impact 16GB 2400MHz DDR4 CL14 260-Pin SODIMM Laptop Memory HX424S14IB/16

TL;DR

Unable to install Debian 10.2, Debian 10.3 or Windows 10

Installer crashes or freezes.

Ubuntu "finished installation" (see below for details), but when using some apps it freezes or crashes.

Long story

I started installing the Debian 10.2.0 but the installer froze in the middle of the installation.

I thought it could be my usb drive that got corrupted, so I download Debian 10.3.0 and checked the md5 checksum, same issue, installer froze in the middle of the installation (static screen image, no mouse or keyboard responding). I even tried the non graphical installer which had the same error just that this crash the computer and restarted it.

My next attempt, thinking the debian linux kernel might not support something in this NUC (kernel is 4.19 if I remember), was to install ubuntu (with kernel 5.3), which it kind of worked, the installer crashed at the end of the installation, but it was able to complete. So I could start the intel NUC in Ubuntu 19.10, I could use it for a dew minutes before it either crashes or freezes. The only applications being used are chrome, terminal to ssh into other machine, gnome files connected with other computer via ssh.

So maybe the linux kernel doesn't support some of the hardware, either the NUC internal components (CPU, chipset, network, etc) or the RAM/SSD.

So I went into installing Windows 10, thinking if it works then it's a linux problem. The window installer crashes as well with the BSD (Blue Screen of Death), I tried many times to finish the installation of windows and I got these different errors:

IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL

Clock Watchdog Timeout

Driver Power State Failure

I already updated the BIOS to the latest version available.

At this point I think one of the components, the RAM or the SSD is wrong.

So I ran memtest86+ from a bootable USB for 4 hours and found no errors.

Still need to run some tests for the SSD, at this point it has to be with a bootable linux.

Anyone can help troubleshoot this issue, I wanted to install Windows 10 to run the Intel diagnostics tool and have a general overview of the machine.

[OVill4]

Just an update, found a linux rescue image which has smarmontools to run a diagnostics on the SSD,

No errors logged and already using the latest SSD firmware version.

Anyone has any idea how to solve the freezing and crashing issues?

[OVill4]

Just an update, found a linux rescue image which has smarmontools to run a diagnostics on the SSD,

No errors logged and already using the latest SSD firmware version.

Anyone has any idea how to solve the freezing and crashing issues?

[Wanner_G_Intel]

Hello OVill4,

Thank you for submitting your question on this Intel® Community.

Linux* versions are reported as compatible by Intel® NUC users. However, Intel hasn't validated these operating systems. What we can recommend is that you use the latest kernel.

Intel-validated Operating System Support (PDF)

First, we would like to know if you are able to install Windows* 10 on your unit.

• Load BIOS default settings

1. Press F2 during boot to enter BIOS Setup.

2. Press F9 to set defaults.

3. Press F10 to save and exit BIOS.

• Then, try to perform a fresh install of Windows* 10 using the steps available in the Operating System Installation for Intel® NUC support article.

If the issue persists, please let us know if you are able to test other memory and SSD.

Wanner G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[OVill4]

Hello Wanner,

Thanks for the reply.

So I reset the BIOS to its defaults and then started a fresh install of Windows 10.

And I got the Clock Watchdog Timeout. I tried twice and twice the same error when reaching "100% of copying files" which is the first stage of the installation.

I have another older NUC (NUC5i3RYB) which has been up and running with no issues, but has DDR3 instead of DDR4. And the SSD on that one is SATA SSD instead of NVME SSD.

So planning on getting the new NVME SSD into the old NUC (hope it's supported, haven't checked tech specs), and I'll attempt to install Windows 10 on it. At least I'll have Windows installed in the new SSD if it works.

Then I'll bring back the new NVME SSD into the new NUC and see if it's able to boot Windows 10 to run the Intel Diagnostics Tool.

Unless you have more ideas or suggestions.

[OVill4]

Hello,

An update:

I tried the new NVME SSD in the old NUC, and I was able to install Windows 10 without problems. I'd discard SSD problems.

Then I took the SSD with installed windows into the NUC with issues, (I swapped the RAM in the other slot just in case), updated some missing drivers, and after a few minutes it crashed with the: clock watchdog timeout, fortunately not during driver installation.

After the crash it restarts, I can use windows for 10 to 15 min aprox. then crashes again with clock watchdog timeout, and each time it crashes sooner I guess files are getting corrupted each time it crashes

I've managed to run the Intel Diagnostic Tool with no errors reported, I ran the Windows Memory Diagnostics with no errors reported, I ran a second round of memtest86 and no errors.

I don't have other SSD or RAM to try them out. Any ideas what else can be done to troubleshoot?

[LeonWaksman]

Do you have WiFi adapter enabled? If yes disable it and see what happens.

Leon

[OVill4]

Hello LWAKSMAN

I disabled the WAN and LAN adapters from the BIOS and started a fresh install.

But got the same Clock Watchdog Timeout BSD

[Wanner_G_Intel]

Hello OVill4,

At this point, what we can recommend is that you perform a BIOS Recovery by Security Jumper.

BIOS Update and Recovery Instructions for Intel® NUC

To find the Security Jumper, please refer to Section 2.3 BIOS Security Jumper of the Technical Product Specifications (Page 41)

BE0078.bio file for For Intel® NUC Kit NUC8i3BEK

Please let us know if the issue persists.

Wanner G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[OVill4]

Hello Wanner,

So I followed the instructions to perform the BIOS Recovery by Security Jumper.

All went fine, I reset to BIOS defaults afterwards as recommended on the instructions.

Then started a fresh install of Windows 10, but still having the same error:

Clock Watchdog Timeout BSD like a minute after reaching 100% of Copying files.

Could this be a hardware problem?

[Wanner_G_Intel]

Hello OVill4,

This could be a hardware issue. 

To better assist you, we have sent you a private message requesting personal information. Please reply to this message at your earliest convenience.

Wanner G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Louis4]

Hello Wanner,

I have the exact same behavior on my NUC. Can you help me?

Thanks

[Wanner_G_Intel]

Hello all,

This issue has been resolved by working directly with the community post originator. If your system is exhibiting the same behavior, please contact Intel Customer Support.

Contact Support Page

Feel free to reference this post once you reach out to Intel Customer Support.

Wanner G.

Intel Customer Support Technician