Intel Chipset Software v10.1.19222.8341 crashes Z790 boards upon reboot [inaccessible boot device]

[Fragbert]

Following a thread on station-drivers, which is the premier destination to satisfy those with an OCD dedication to have the absolute latest WHQL drivers for intel components <link removed>

I just came here to say Z790 based motherboards will experience an inaccessible boot device BSOD (for me, an Asus PRIME Z790-A WIFI) immediately after installing the 10.1.19284.8351 chipset drivers upon reboot. Windows 11 recovered fine with a previous restore snapshot so no big deal - my only comment is WOW never did I ever think these INF files that aren't really "true" drivers can BSOD a system. Bravo Intel!

Looks like this is only affecting Z790 chipsets. The boot device in my case is a NVMe FireCuda PCIe 4 that is attached to the CPU M.2 slot and not the chipset M.2 slots, if that matters.

I realize this chipset software inf is labeled for NUCs, however they indubitably have updated INFs for Raptor Lake, and whomever from intel that responds with the defacto "this chipset software is not for desktop systems, blah blah" - could you please also pass along to engineering there is indeed a bug in this chipset release so it does not get carried over into whatever future chipset software build designated for actual desktop systems? Thanks and ta ta!

[AlHill]

Use of 3rd party driver update sites is not recommended.  You never know what information from your machine they are uploading (and to what country it is going), and you never know what payload is in the packages they are downloading.

Doc (not an Intel employee or contractor)
[Maybe Windows 12 will be better]

[Fragbert]

I never stated I downloaded from that website - I only linked to a discussion of the software package in question. I downloaded directly from intel here; https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/19695/intel-chipset-device-software-for-windows-10-64-bit-and-windows-11-for-intel-nuc-products.html

As said before, it is labeled as a chipset package for NUCs, but it has updated INFs specific to Z790 based boards - and it detects and installs perfectly fine where you then BSOD upon reboot.

Enjoy!

[n_scott_pearson]

While I agree that Intel should look at it, this doesn't justify a gross level message like Z790 broken. You *did* use a version specifically intended for Intel's NUC products. You should be using *only* the version(s) supplied (and purportedly validated) by your motherboard manufacturer.

Just saying,

...S

[Fragbert]

There was no gross generalization on the Z790 chipset hardware - how did you interpret that? It's obviously a chipset software issue.

I can tell you, demonstrably, that this chipset package has a good chance of BSOD'ing a Z790 based system. The link I provided was just forum conversation with several other Z790 owners of various brands all saying the same thing when using this specific chipset INF software. Apparently that website is a no-no here for whatever reason.

[n_scott_pearson]

Again, you are using a version that is *NOT* for your Z790 system! It is specifically for - and only validated to support - the targeted Intel NUC product(s). You should be using *only* the version(s) supplied (and purportedly validated) by your motherboard manufacturer.

...S

[Fragbert]

Yes, yes, we all know this defacto language that yourself and intel will always state in situations like this - however, YOU KNOW as well as I and the thousands of others who use WHQL intel chipset software from other OEM channels instead of intel's website that *they always work perfectly* and many, MANY a times where a newer release of an intel driver found elsewhere fixes issues that are not addressed yet by their board manufacturer. 

I'm not here to ask for help, I don't need it. I'm just pointing out this is probably the first time ever that a chipset software release can BSOD a system. It's quite amazing to be honest. Didn't think it could happen. Also, there have been many chipset software releases that intelligently detect if the hardware it is being installed on is not compatible and will halt the install. For whatever reason raptor lake INFs were included and no incompatibility was flagged.

I just came on here to disclose that this happens with this specific release - in hopes that an intel engineer takes note, despite preemptively knowing that I will be getting lots of fingers shaking at my direction from Intel. 

You see that raptorlakepch-ssystem.inf? Take note that 10.1.49.7 blows up a Z790 system whereas 10.1.46.3 is fine. If there's a NUC out there with a Z790 it will get BSOD'd all the same. Zipped for those interested!

Ta ta! I hope you can forgive me!

[AlHill]

This chipset inf is not for your board.

You have "pointed it out".

Time to move on.

Doc (not an Intel employee or contractor)
[Maybe Windows 12 will be better]