Problems installing Windows 10 on Acer Spin 3 (SP314-54N)

I just purchased the Spin 3, and went to install Windows 10 Pro from a bootable USB. I've done this before with no issues on other systems. At first, setup would fail because it couldn't detect my drives. I solved this by installing non-Intel VMD drivers during setup (downloaded from Intel's site, put it on the boot USB and selected during setup. I tried the Intel VMD one but it wouldn't work, marked as 'incompatible' during setup, so I used non-Intel VMD instead. https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/19512/intel-rapid-storage-technology-driver-installation-software-with-intel-optane-memory-10th-and-11th-gen-platforms.html). This allowed me to select a drive and install windows.

Now, when I boot, I get a BSOD with the error:

"The operating system couldn't be loaded because a required file is missing or contains errors.

File: iaStorAfs.sys

Error code: 0xc0000098"

I reset the PC from troubleshooting and reinstalled it twice. Same error both times.

Accepted answers

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/673074/problems-installing-windows-10-on-acer-spin-3-sp314-54n

Why would you want to install Win-10 Pro when this laptop can run Win-11 Pro and you can use the Win-10 Pro key to install Win-11t? Run your laptop with Win-11 version 22H2, this version works very well and you will have NO chance of getting the iaStorAfs.sys error as it mainly happens in Win-10, I've never ever experienced this error in Win-10 Pro ever.

The iaStorAfs.sys error happens because of a wrong IRS driver, not all IRS are the same and the IRS SP314-54N Acer listed driver has been tested with this laptop to work! Also, when you do a "Celan Install" and did a complete format of the boot drive? You should NOT install any other "Intel IRS drivers like version 18.6.1.1016 driver" but you should only install the specific Acer listed driver for your SP314-54N the "IRST (Intel® Rapid Storage Technology) Driver Version:17.8.0.1065" at "Load driver" section of the installation. But besides this, there can be other reasons too. For instance, there can be some unwanted background process running on the laptop, any third-party app conflicting with the system, or maybe a corrupted Windows system file. Do the clean install again and only install the IRS driver for your laptop, as that will make your laptop function 10% and with Win-11 you will not have this iaStorAfs.sys error, also update the bios to the Version:1.13 titled "Updates CPU microcode revision" that will also help with Win-11. This is my opinion to you, as I speak from experience of doing the above and a clean installation of Win-11 and to version 22H2 and have had NO problems with any previous Win-11 version or the new 22H2 on my Nitro AN515-56 and it works perfectly amd 100% without any BSOD's or crashes, which btw, I've never ever had on this laptop with Win-10 or 11.

All comments

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/673074/problems-installing-windows-10-on-acer-spin-3-sp314-54n

Why would you want to install Win-10 Pro when this laptop can run Win-11 Pro and you can use the Win-10 Pro key to install Win-11t? Run your laptop with Win-11 version 22H2, this version works very well and you will have NO chance of getting the iaStorAfs.sys error as it mainly happens in Win-10, I've never ever experienced this error in Win-10 Pro ever.

The iaStorAfs.sys error happens because of a wrong IRS driver, not all IRS are the same and the IRS SP314-54N Acer listed driver has been tested with this laptop to work! Also, when you do a "Celan Install" and did a complete format of the boot drive? You should NOT install any other "Intel IRS drivers like version 18.6.1.1016 driver" but you should only install the specific Acer listed driver for your SP314-54N the "IRST (Intel® Rapid Storage Technology) Driver Version:17.8.0.1065" at "Load driver" section of the installation. But besides this, there can be other reasons too. For instance, there can be some unwanted background process running on the laptop, any third-party app conflicting with the system, or maybe a corrupted Windows system file. Do the clean install again and only install the IRS driver for your laptop, as that will make your laptop function 10% and with Win-11 you will not have this iaStorAfs.sys error, also update the bios to the Version:1.13 titled "Updates CPU microcode revision" that will also help with Win-11. This is my opinion to you, as I speak from experience of doing the above and a clean installation of Win-11 and to version 22H2 and have had NO problems with any previous Win-11 version or the new 22H2 on my Nitro AN515-56 and it works perfectly amd 100% without any BSOD's or crashes, which btw, I've never ever had on this laptop with Win-10 or 11.

ranahannah

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1154323#Comment_1154323

Thank you for your response, I tried installing windows with the acer listed driver you linked, and during install got the error, "Windows cannot install required files. Make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation. Error code: 0x8007025D".

William_mk2

@ranahannah

Try this method..

On a different working computer.

Go to the website

https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/software-download/windows10

Below the info Create Windows 10 installation media

click on download tool now..

It will download the windows media creation tool - click on media creation file on the lower left corner.

Insert a blank 8 gb flash drive

it will download and install the windows 10 on the blank flash drive..

Now insert the flash drive on the broken computer

Boot it using flash drive..

click on install

chose custom

on where do you want to install windows screen - remove all the partitions

It will become like one single unallocated space

There is no need to format it..

chose the unallocated space

click on next

It will install the operating system.

You can even order Acer recovery media.

Please visit the website - support.acer.com - chose your country - click on shop. scroll down - click on eRecovery media on the bottom of page. Enter the snid no - you can place the order for recovery media. It might be a set of disks or recovery usb flash drive. Alternatively, on the top right corner you can find the phone no to contact Acer store. You can also order it from Acer store.

Recovery media is a unique media which is designed only for your computer. It cannot be used on any other computer. It comes with drivers and applications which is designed for your computer.