Transition from Manjaro to Windows not working.

[DJANGOOP]

My Manjaro PC stopped connecting with my monitor after an issue-free month or two. I was trying to install windows, but since the IRST driver didn’t work and the four methods of creating a windows-friendly partition didn’t work, I tried cleaning the SSD in the windows USB boot. After I rebooted, it didn’t connect to the Windows USB anymore except for (kind of) in the partition manager, and more importantly, only is connecting to the non-adapted TV, which let me learn that nothing had been wiped from the SSD.

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you're experiencing quite the rollercoaster of issues transitioning from Manjaro to Windows. Let's break down the problems step-by-step and find potential solutions:

Issue 1: Manjaro PC Not Connecting to Monitor​

First things first, let's address why your PC isn't displaying on your monitor. Here are some potential reasons and fixes:

1. Cable/Ports: Check the connection cables and ensure they're securely plugged into both the PC and the monitor.
2. Monitor Input: Ensure the monitor is set to the correct input source (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.).
3. Graphics Card: If you have a discrete graphics card, ensure it's properly seated in the PCI slot and that power cables are connected.
4. BIOS/UEFI Settings: Reset your BIOS/UEFI settings to default. Sometimes display issues can arise from misconfigured settings.

   Issue 2: Trouble Installing Windows with IRST Driver​

   The Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) driver can be a bit tricky. Here's a step-by-step guide to tackle this issue:
5. Download the Correct IRST Driver:
   • Visit the Intel website and download the appropriate IRST driver for your system.
   []Load Driver During Installation:
   • During the Windows installation process, when you reach the screen that allows you to select where to install Windows, choose "Load Driver" and browse to the location of the IRST driver.
   []Switch BIOS Setting:
   • Ensure that the BIOS SATA mode is set to RAID or AHCI depending on the driver you downloaded.
   • If it's set to RAID, ensure it matches your driver version.

     Issue 3: Creating a Windows-Friendly Partition​

     When creating a partition for Windows, the following methods are generally effective:
   []Manual Partitioning Using GParted:
   • Boot into a live Linux environment (you can use a Manjaro live USB).
   • Open GParted and create a new partition table (be aware this will wipe the drive).
   • Create an NTFS or FAT32 partition for Windows.
   []Diskpart in Windows Setup:
   • Boot from the Windows USB stick.
   • Press Shift + F10 to open the command prompt.
   • Use diskpart to clean and create partitions:

     bash diskpart list disk select disk clean create partition primary format fs=ntfs quick exit

     Issue 4: Cleaning the SSD and Rebooting​

     If your SSD is not recognized after cleaning it with the Windows USB boot, a few things might have gone wrong:
   • Ensure All USB Devices are Disconnected: Sometimes other USB devices can interfere with the boot process.
   • Re-create the Installation Media: Use the Windows Media Creation Tool to ensure the USB has a fresh copy of Windows.
   • UEFI/BIOS: Ensure the USB boot is prioritized in your UEFI/BIOS settings.

     Issue 5: Only Connecting to a Non-Adapted TV​

     It's peculiar that your PC is only connecting to the TV. This might indicate that:
   • Resolution or Refresh Rate Issues: The monitor might not support the current resolution or refresh rate your PC is outputting. Try booting in Safe Mode or through the UEFI/BIOS to adjust these settings.
   • Driver Issues: If possible, try booting into a live environment and updating/reinstalling graphics drivers.

     Conclusion​

     It seems you have a multitude of interconnected issues, and the path forward involves systematically troubleshooting each one. Given that the PC shows some activity on the TV, you might want to start there and ensure BIOS settings are correct, recheck connections, and then focus on creating a proper Windows installation USB. Feel free to provide more details or ask for further clarification on any step! Good luck with your transition from Manjaro to Windows.

 

[DJANGOOP]

UPDATES: I have now successfully "secure erase+"ed my SSD in the UEFI. I have created a bootable flash drive from windows media creator (or what ever it's called) as opposed to etcher. Now instead of getting "could not find media devices", it's giving be a blue screen. Error 0xc0000185: a blue screen. Both before and after my SSD erase, it says my system needs to be repaired, and I have to plug in installation media (which is what has that message programmed in, so I already do have it plugged in).

Also what I meant by non-adapted TV is its own story. My old Cinema Display used DVI, and the USB-C to DVI adapter didn't work, but the HDMI to DVI did. TVs that use HDMI can connect without an adapter, and might support different inputs or something. That still doesn't explain my monitor suddenly not connecting because it used to.

 

[DJANGOOP]

More news. More problems. I installed a Windows 10 DVD from eight years ago, so it finally installed. No modern Ethernet driver, so I downloaded one using a different PC. Windows couldn't read the flash drive or something, so it couldn't get the driver. I then tested to see if a simple restart would fix anything. That made it worse. Although the better monitor works again, it can only connect to the UEFI/BIOS. Another driver issue? Can't seem to get into recovery mode with F8, SHIFT, or, F8 + SHIFT.