Stuck in an Endless Installation Loop

Hi Group,

I bought a new computer and installed Linux Mint on it. Shortly after, I realized I needed Windows on the machine because some critical software only runs under Windows. So I set up the computer to boot from the USB drive and plugged in the Windows 11 drive I got with the computer.

It rebooted to the Windows installer, asked me the usual questions about languages and keyboards. Then it took me to a screen that displayed all of the partitions my SSD had been partitioned into. Some looked like Linux partitions and others looked like Windows things. I deleted some smaller partitions and formatted the largest one, which allowed me to click the [Next] button. It started copying files over from the USB drive, then the screen went black. Another display come up that seemed to indicate it was installing more files. That lasted a few seconds. After that it rebooted and dropped me back off at square 1, asking for language and keyboard information.

I entered and re-entered that information until I realized it wasn't going to let me proceed. So now I'm stuck, unable to continue with the installation process.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to break out of this loop? I'd be grateful!

Ken Alexander
So Phisai, Thailand

Welcome to Eleven Forum.

ve3hls said:

...I set up the computer to boot from the USB drive and plugged in the Windows 11 drive I got with the computer....

Click to expand...

This is your issue....

ve3hls said:

...it rebooted and dropped me back off at square 1, asking for language and keyboard information...

Click to expand...

After copying the Windows files from the USB the next step should be to boot from the hard drive to complete the install. But you have set it to always boot from the USB if present. Simply turn off the computer, remove the USB, then turn it on again. The install should now run to completion.

Bree is spot on, I simply wanted to add a bit more information.

After Windows setup copies all the needed files to the HDD or SSD, the setup media is no longer needed. At this point, everything needed is already copied. If your PC is set to automatically boot from the USB drive first, you can simply unplug the USB first. This is at the time when the first reboot takes place. So, as soon as you see the message that says that the system is going to reboot momentarily you can simply unplug the USB drive.

This is why Bree's suggestion works, because by removing the USB drive with the system turned off, the PC will now boot from the HDD or SSD and happily continue with the installation of Windows.

Bree said:

Welcome to Eleven Forum.


This is your issue....


After copying the Windows files from the USB the next step should be to boot from the hard drive to complete the install. But you have set it to always boot from the USB if present. Simply turn off the computer, remove the USB, then turn it on again. The install should now run to completion.

Click to expand...

OK, Just got home and booted the computer without the USB key. It froze solid at the ASUS splash screen, stayed like that for 2 or 3 minutes, then the screen went black and I couldn't do anything. No amount of keyboard or mouse activity had any effect.

Sorry,
Ken

hsehestedt said:

Bree is spot on, I simply wanted to add a bit more information.

After Windows setup copies all the needed files to the HDD or SSD, the setup media is no longer needed. At this point, everything needed is already copied. If your PC is set to automatically boot from the USB drive first, you can simply unplug the USB first. This is at the time when the first reboot takes place. So, as soon as you see the message that says that the system is going to reboot momentarily you can simply unplug the USB drive.

This is why Bree's suggestion works, because by removing the USB drive with the system turned off, the PC will now boot from the HDD or SSD and happily continue with the installation of Windows.

Click to expand...

See my reply to Bree. Still not working.

Ken

ve3hls said:

Hi Group,

I bought a new computer and installed Linux Mint on it. Shortly after, I realized I needed Windows on the machine because some critical software only runs under Windows. So I set up the computer to boot from the USB drive and plugged in the Windows 11 drive I got with the computer.

Click to expand...

From what you wrote, I conclude that the Windows 11 drive you've got with the computer isn't a SSD or a HDD but a Windows 11 USB installation drive.
Is that correct ?

ve3hls said:

It rebooted to the Windows installer, asked me the usual questions about languages and keyboards. Then it took me to a screen that displayed all of the partitions my SSD had been partitioned into. Some looked like Linux partitions and others looked like Windows things. I deleted some smaller partitions and formatted the largest one, which allowed me to click the [Next] button. It started copying files over from the USB drive, then the screen went black. Another display come up that seemed to indicate it was installing more files. That lasted a few seconds. After that it rebooted and dropped me back off at square 1, asking for language and keyboard information.

Click to expand...

When you say you deleted some smaller partitions and formatted the largest were them partitions created with Linux Mint?

If you intended to have only Win 11 on the drive you should have deleted All partitions on the drive (exceptions for data partition)

You can make a dual boot (Win 11 and Mint) on same drive. Is that what you're trying to achieve?

ve3hls said:

OK, Just got home and booted the computer without the USB key. It froze solid at the ASUS splash screen, stayed like that for 2 or 3 minutes, then the screen went black and I couldn't do anything...

Click to expand...

For dual booting Linux and Windows it is recommended by all Linux distros that you install Windows first....

if you want to dual-boot or multi-boot with Windows, it is easier and recommended to install Windows first, before you install Linux Mint.

Click to expand...

Multi-boot — Linux Mint Installation Guide documentation

ve3hls said:

I bought a new computer and installed Linux Mint on it. Shortly after, I realized I needed Windows on the machine....

Click to expand...

If you've not been running Linux for long and wouldn't have too much to reconfigure, then I'd recommend starting over and installing Windows first.

Bree said:

For dual booting Linux and Windows it is recommended by all Linux distros that you install Windows first....

Multi-boot — Linux Mint Installation Guide documentation



If you've not been running Linux for long and wouldn't have too much to reconfigure, then I'd recommend starting over and installing Windows first.

Click to expand...

I'm not going for a dual boot system. I'm trying to install Win 11 over my existing Linux Mint installation. To me, dual boot sounds like "Twice the problems!"

Megahertz said:

From what you wrote, I conclude that the Windows 11 drive you've got with the computer isn't a SSD or a HDD but a Windows 11 USB installation drive.
Is that correct ?

When you say you deleted some smaller partitions and formatted the largest were them partitions created with Linux Mint?

If you intended to have only Win 11 on the drive you should have deleted All partitions on the drive (exceptions for data partition)

You can make a dual boot (Win 11 and Mint) on same drive. Is that what you're trying to achieve?

Click to expand...

Yes, that's correct. I bought the computer, SSD, RAM and Win11 together. Win11 came on a USB drive.
No, I don't want dual boot.
I will go back and delete all partitions. Some can't be touched, but I'll do what I can! Thanks!

Ken

ve3hls said:

Yes, that's correct. I bought the computer, SSD, RAM and Win11 together. Win11 came on a USB drive.
No, I don't want dual boot.
I will go back and delete all partitions. Some can't be touched, but I'll do what I can! Thanks!

Ken

Click to expand...

I may be mistaken, but I believe that you can delete all partitions on the target drive using the Windows installer. You can then let it automatically partition and format the drive.

While doing a clean installation, that's what I'd normally do with a target drive that isn't blank.