Repeat BSOD with Nitro AN515-51 model # N17C1 on Windows10. What should I do?

marc729 · January 28

Hello Acer Community, hope this finds you well.
The laptop is an Acer Nitro AN515-51 series, model # N17C1. The serial # tag also shows AN515-51-55WL, mfg date 2017/11.

Following about a year of inactivity, after startup it obviously had a long list of updates to download/install. During installation, the computer got real sluggish (with the spinning circle icon showing on the cursor), and there were several prompts to close the process "windows" (iirc?). I decided against that, and let it continue, which it did for a while until the computer just froze up.

After shutting down and starting back up, it would go to BSOD with the stop code Registry Error, restart, and then went into a loop back to the BSOD (I forced shutdown after about five restarts). Eventually I found out about alt-F10, and was able to get to the startup troubleshooting menu.

Unfortunately, I can't recall what the password is. The login account is my Microsoft hotmail address, but that seems to be irrelevant, as the current and all old passwords for my MS account don't work. Because of this I cannot attempt Startup Repair, System Restore, or Reset with keeping personal files.
So I just went with System Reset in full, which bypasses the password requirement. But with this I just get the error prompt "There was a problem resetting your PC."

I'm not sure what to do now? Don't have an Acer/Win10 recovery USB, as I must've foolishly skipped this on first startup.
I should mention that I upgraded the RAM with 2 x 16GB DIMMs, and installed a 2.5" 2TB SSD. Everything worked perfectly for many years. Also, I have an Intel 660p M.2 2280 2TB PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 3D2 QLC SSD, but I never installed it as I had no idea how to clone the original boot drive to this new one, as the board only has the one M.2 slot.

What do you think? I'm okay with losing everything on my boot drive, except I understand there's a partition there with essential drivers and such put in by Acer that is critical for bootup. Would have to ditch that drive eventually anyway, as I'd like to replace it with the Intel 660p (if possible; btw does 2TB exceed what this model is capable of supporting?).
I'm considering bringing everything in to Acer, but thought I'd run this by y'all first. Really do appreciate your time for reading all this.

What should I do?

[Edited the thread to add issue detail]

GAMING6698 · January 28

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/720092/repeat-bsod-with-an515-51-windows10

We will create and install Windows 10/11 on your laptop using a bootable USB. I can provide you with the steps. You need an 8GB USB pen drive and a Windows 10 PC or laptop. It shouldn't take more than 30 minutes. If you don't have another Windows system, ask a friend for help to create the bootable USB for you or visit you friend house or visit any cafe as they offer computers for public use, often referred to as internet cafés or cybercafés.

We just need to download the ISO, which is around 5-6GB, and create the bootable USB using Rufus.

So, are you ready?

marc729 · February 1

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1323140#Comment_1323140

Hi GAMING6698, thank you for responding.

Before continuing with your course of action, I have a couple of questions if that's okay? Firstly, what about the Acer partition and files currently on the boot drive? I was under the impression that you don't want to lose these.

And secondly, perhaps the boot drive M.2 can be replaced with the new Intel 660p 2280 2TB before Windows 10 installation? Anything to be extra careful with if I do this? I assume this computer will be compatible with the new 2TB drive in the M.2 slot, but please let me know if not.

I will have to find a spare 8GB USB stick and access to another Win10 computer; hopefully I can get ready over this weekend.

Happy New Year to you, and to everyone here! :)

GAMING6698 · February 1

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1323816#Comment_1323816

-Do you create any partition of your boot drive for files and data?

-As for acer partition, Alt+f10 not working so for clean installation so, you can delete this partition and windows will automatically create required partition. Or you can just select your primary drive for windows installation without deleting acer recovery partition.

-You said you want to install windows in another drive. Do your intel drive has any important files? Also check if intel SSD is visible in bios under boot priority.

marc729 · February 7

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1323858#Comment_1323858

Hey GAMING6698, sorry for the late response. Been kinda busy lately. The only reason fixing this computer hasn't been a critical priority, is that I've got this other one I'm using now, and the Acer is mostly for gaming.

I will be removing the current boot drive, and installing the Intel M.2 when I get the chance (it's a new, empty drive). Are you experienced with this kind of hardware work? I don't want to screw anything up, as I hear electricity discharge is a not uncommon way to damage circuitry. I did manage to install a 2.5" drive, as well as replace the existing RAM, but both of those had easy access that didn't require removing the entire bottom cover to fully expose the motherboard.

Thanks for your willingness to help, and sorry I haven't yet been able to take you up on your offer to assist.

— M

GAMING6698 · February 7

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1324946#Comment_1324946

You don't need to remove your old Windows SSD. I suggest disabling it in the BIOS; this shouldn't cause any issues.

Then, you can install Windows on your Intel SSD using a bootable USB drive. Afterward, you can re-enable the old Windows drive in the BIOS. Because the boot priority will be given to your Intel SSD, your old Windows drive will only appear as a local disk. At that point, you can copy the data from it and then format the drive.

Here's a breakdown of why it works:

Disabling the old SSD: Disabling the old SSD in the BIOS prevents the computer from trying to boot from it. This is a good safety measure to ensure the new installation on the Intel SSD takes precedence.
Boot Priority: The BIOS boot order determines which drive the computer tries to boot from first. By setting the Intel SSD as the first boot device, the system will load Windows from it.
Accessing the Old Drive: Once Windows is running from the Intel SSD, the old SSD, when re-enabled, will be recognized as a secondary storage drive. This allows you to access its files.
Data Transfer and Formatting: You can then copy any needed data from the old SSD to the new one before formatting the old SSD for reuse.

marc729 · February 9

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1324947#Comment_1324947

Although I haven't yet opened it up to see for myself, from what info I've found online the AN515-51 does have two M.2 slots, but one is taken up by the WiFi module. If this slot can take the extra drive I've got, I can attempt what you describe if I can first remove this module (assuming it isn't needed for the Windows installation).

I just need to do some more research on how to do this kind of work safely, without damaging any sensitive circuitry.

Repeat BSOD with Nitro AN515-51 model # N17C1 on Windows10. What should I do?

Answers

Categories

Assistance by Acer

Swift Series Intel^® Evo™

Game Pass

Acer Corner

Gaming on Chromebook

Repeat BSOD with Nitro AN515-51 model # N17C1 on Windows10. What should I do?

Answers

Categories

Assistance by Acer

Swift Series Intel® Evo™

Game Pass

Acer Corner

Gaming on Chromebook

Swift Series Intel^® Evo™