Q: Boot Camp W10 pro stuck in "Critical_Stop_Error" reboot cycle

Hi,

I just successfully loaded W10 Pro on my iMac. I was able to get through past Key code registration and hit the first reboot. I get a windows logo, then the spinning circles (loading), then sadly a blue screen error (Critical_Stop_Error) and a constant reboot cycle. Everything was going according to instruction until this point. I feel like this is windows not seeing proper drivers.

I did have to reset my NVRAM to allow the computer to select the bootcamp partition for the load.

I remember seeing someone on the forums who has same computer that was never able to resolve. I cannot find the post. I am hoping there may be someone out there who can help me through this. I am so close...yet so far.

Computer Specs:

iMac Retina 5k, 27-inch, Late 2014

4ghz i7

32 GB 1600mhz DDR3

AMD Radeon R9M295x 4096MB

128GB SSD

3TB drive SATA HD

Bootcamp

Version 6.0.1 (6024.40.2)

Windows Partition Size:

355 GB

Loaded using

Lexar 32GB USB3.0 flash drive

Posted on Oct 10, 2016 9:09 PM

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Q: Boot Camp W10 pro stuck in "Critical_Stop_Error" reboot cycle

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by Archimedes_Claw,

Archimedes_Claw Oct 16, 2016 5:55 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw
Level 1 (4 points)

Windows Software

Oct 16, 2016 5:55 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw

Do you want me to create a DVD from the .iso for 8.1?
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by Loner T,

Loner T Oct 16, 2016 6:08 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw
Level 7 (24,845 points)

Safari

Oct 16, 2016 6:08 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw

Excellent. Please burn the W8.1 64-bit ISO to a DVD-R SL and try to install using EFI Boot.
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by Archimedes_Claw,

Archimedes_Claw Oct 16, 2016 6:35 PM in response to Loner T
Level 1 (4 points)

Windows Software

Oct 16, 2016 6:35 PM in response to Loner T

Sure thing I need about 20 minutes to dig up a DVD-R. They are probably next to my 3.5 floppies somewhere.
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by Loner T,

Loner T Oct 16, 2016 6:42 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw
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Safari

Oct 16, 2016 6:42 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw

Do you want to try booting the iMac from the 1.44MB Floppies?
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by Archimedes_Claw,

Archimedes_Claw Oct 16, 2016 7:07 PM in response to Loner T
Level 1 (4 points)

Windows Software

Oct 16, 2016 7:07 PM in response to Loner T

Yeah that sounds like something out of Dante's Inferno. Ok i'm burning the .iso to a DVD-R. DO I still use the USB to boot?
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by Archimedes_Claw,

Archimedes_Claw Oct 16, 2016 7:15 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw
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Windows Software

Oct 16, 2016 7:15 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw

First burn crashed out. Started a second attempt.
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by Loner T,

Loner T Oct 16, 2016 7:28 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw
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Safari

Oct 16, 2016 7:28 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw

Right-click on ISO, choose Burn, expand the Burn menu, and choose the lowest speed, and enable Verify and Mount after burn.

Once you have a viable DVD, try to boot from it using Alt/Option with the USB connected. The USB has the $WinPEDriver$ which allows you Apple BT devices to function during installation. If you have a wired USB Keyboard/Mouse, then you can try without the USB, just with the DVD.

Please also try each USB Port in the back of the iMac, and remember to reset SMC/NVRAM after each failed attempt.
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by Loner T,

Loner T Oct 16, 2016 7:30 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw
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Safari

Oct 16, 2016 7:30 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw

Archimedes_Claw wrote:

Yeah that sounds like something out of Dante's Inferno.

This, indeed, feels like the Inferno (Dante's or Disco - take your pick).

Will anyone object to this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_sY2rjxq6M ?
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by Archimedes_Claw,

Archimedes_Claw Oct 16, 2016 7:41 PM in response to Loner T
Level 1 (4 points)

Windows Software

Oct 16, 2016 7:41 PM in response to Loner T

USB in different slots or the DVD? or yes to both? It just finished burning. I'm resetting and restarting here.
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by Archimedes_Claw,

Archimedes_Claw Oct 16, 2016 7:46 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw
Level 1 (4 points)

Windows Software

Oct 16, 2016 7:46 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw

I think i'm missing something. I burned the .iso to a DVD.
Did you mean build a win8.1 install disk from the .iso?
or boot to EFI and select the DVD iso?

Sorry for the confusion
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by Loner T,

Loner T Oct 16, 2016 7:47 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw
Level 7 (24,845 points)

Safari

Oct 16, 2016 7:47 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw

Use the right-most USB Slot, when facing the Mac, for the Optical drive, with the USB Flash drive in one of the remaining slots.

We should also test with just the USB Flash drive in each of the USB slots starting at the right-most USB slot first.

I have seen erratic behavior on some iMacs with the USB Installer.
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by Loner T,

Loner T Oct 16, 2016 7:51 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw
Level 7 (24,845 points)

Safari

Oct 16, 2016 7:51 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw

Archimedes_Claw wrote:

I think i'm missing something. I burned the .iso to a DVD.

Did you mean build a win8.1 install disk from the .iso?

or boot to EFI and select the DVD iso?

Sorry for the confusion

We need to try booting from a standard DVD which has only W8.1 (as supplied by Microsoft) and use Alt/Option to select EFI Boot from the DVD, instead of the USB Installer. The USB Installer's $WinPEDriver$ will be used to provide the Preboot Environment (WinPE).
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by Archimedes_Claw,

Archimedes_Claw Oct 16, 2016 7:53 PM in response to Loner T
Level 1 (4 points)

Windows Software

Oct 16, 2016 7:53 PM in response to Loner T

the alt/option key won't even recognize the DVD player. I just see the following:

1) Macintosh HD
2) Macintosh HD 2
3) Windows (orange)
4) EFI (Orange)

The burn and verification was successful for the .iso file onto a blank DVD
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by Archimedes_Claw,

Archimedes_Claw Oct 16, 2016 8:38 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw
Level 1 (4 points)

Windows Software

Oct 16, 2016 8:38 PM in response to Archimedes_Claw

I booted from the EFI and it launched the DVD .iso. I'm still getting that windows error that the computer cannot be prepared for the next phase of the installation.
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by Loner T,

Loner T Oct 17, 2016 4:06 AM in response to Archimedes_Claw
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Safari

Oct 17, 2016 4:06 AM in response to Archimedes_Claw

Can you test with just the USB Installer but try the installation with each USB connector in the back of the iMac? If it does not work, you should take it to the nearest Apple store and let them run MRI on the iMac.
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