So this all started when I decided I’m going to make the move on my primary desktop computer away from Windows over to Linux, I have been using Linux on all my over computers for a while now. Before I wipe my Windows install and be without a functional gaming PC, I decided that I would install onto a 2nd hard drive to verify that everything is working. And I’m glad I did that because things are going horribly wrong…
At first, I was having trouble getting the installer flash drive for Linux Mint to boot in uefi mode without CSM, but then I forgot I had fastboot enabled. After disabling that, I was able to install to the 2nd hard drive and boot into Linux. However, after the first reboot from running some updates and installing the Nvidia graphics drivers, the system was getting to the Linux Mint splash boot screen then shuts off with no warning, and reboots. Right now, it does this most of the time when I reboot, but sometimes it doesn’t happen. After a few tries of booting it would eventual boot up, and for the most part there aren’t any issues after a successful boot, however occasionally I have logged in and clicked an icon on the desktop or just using firefox and had it abruptly shut down like it was doing at start-up.
But here’s the thing: I can boot windows off my SSD just fine, even running games and stress tests work fine. Because of this, I know its not overheating or having power supply issues, but this seems too random to be a software issue. I edited the GRUB settings to disable the splash screen so I can see what it’s doing when it is starting up, and every time it “crashes” it’s doing something different, I can’t identify any pattern. The logs program in Linux Mint doesn’t show any fatal errors that would cause a reboot. I’m not new to linux, but I have no idea what could be causing this or where to look to find out.
Like I said before, I am using Linux Mint. I am currently trying other distributions on this machine as a troubleshooting step and will report my findings back here when I can. I also tried resetting my BIOS settings with no change, and may try a different drive even though this drive’s SMART status is perfect. Here are my system specs if it helps:
-Intel Core i5 6600k overclocked to 4.4GHz at 1.280v (I have done overnight prime95 runs on it with no issues, and running it stock didn’t change anything)
-EVGA GTX 1060 6g
-Asus z170-e
-Intel HD Graphics is enabled in the BIOS for setting up a Windows VM with KVM
-4x4gb DDR4 2133mhz (tried with and without the XMP profile made no difference)
-500gb WD blue M.2 SSD (the older model that is sata over M.2 instead of PCIe) for my Windows Drive.
-Some random Toshiba 1tb 5400rpm I pulled from an external enclosure for testing Linux and installed in the PC
-A Renesas 4 port usb 3.0 card
I also tried installing Linux Mint in CSM Legacy mode and now it doesn’t have issues booting but it still occasionally shuts off while using programs.