A shifting sequence of BSODs during Windows 11 installation - going from BUGCODE_USB_DRIVER to SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION without changing hardware or install media - strongly suggests unstable firmware, faulty or incompatible drivers, or underlying hardware issues. Let's break this down methodically and poetically:

What a Changing BSOD Sequence Usually Means

Think of BSODs as Windows screaming in different dialects. When the dialect changes each time, it's not that the cause is different - it's that Windows is failing unpredictably during startup, often from incomplete driver initialization, RAM instability, or storage/controller confusion.

Probable Causes Ranked by Likelihood

1. RAM Problems

   
   
   
   
   • Marginal RAM can cause all sorts of changing BSODs.
   
   
   • A flaky RAM stick may survive a USB stack init but fail a file system driver load.
   
   
   
   



2. Faulty USB Installer or Corrupt ISO

   
   
   
   
   • Bad sectors on the USB stick or corrupt ISO files may crash at different points.
   
   
   
   



3. Storage Driver Conflict

   
   
   
   
   • On older systems like the HP Pro 3500, AHCI/IDE modes or outdated SATA chipsets may crash under the default Win11 storage stack.
   
   
   
   



4. BIOS Settings Conflicting with Windows 11 Requirements

   
   
   
   
   • Secure Boot, virtualization, or USB legacy settings conflicting behind the scenes.
   
   
   
   



5. Overheating, dust, or power instability

   
   
   
   
   • Older desktop + warm install environment = odd errors if the CPU throttles or VRMs sag.
   
   
   
   

Let's Diagnose and Resolve

1. Test the RAM Immediately

Run Memtest86+ from a bootable USB for at least 1 full pass (ideally overnight).

• Download: https://www.memtest.org/


• If it shows even a single error, replace the RAM stick(s).

Changing BSODs are the RAM's quiet confession of unreliability.

2. Use a Fresh USB Installer (Different Stick, Port, Tool)

Even if it worked before:

• Re-download ISO (Win11 23H2)


• Rebuild installer using Rufus


• Format stick in NTFS (not FAT32)


• Use a rear USB 2.0 port

Avoid reusing USB sticks that were previously "bootable" - residue from Linux ISOs or EFI bootloaders can corrupt behavior subtly.

3. Reset BIOS to Defaults, Then Set Minimum Needed

• Load defaults in BIOS

  
  



• Then apply:

  
  
  
  
  • Legacy Boot = Enabled
  
  
  • Secure Boot = Disabled
  
  
  • USB Configuration = Legacy or Auto
  
  
  • Fast Boot = Disabled
  
  
  
  

4. Switch SATA Mode: Try AHCI or IDE

• Enter BIOS SATA Mode


• If set to IDE, try AHCI or vice versa


• Windows may be crashing during disk driver initialization

5. Physically Clean the Machine

• Remove side panel


• Reseat RAM and SATA cables


• Blow out dust from CPU heatsink and PSU vents

6. Try Installing Windows 10 Instead

Install Windows 10 Pro 22H2 (final stable version), then do an in-place upgrade to Windows 11 using the TPM-bypassed installer.

Still Failing After That?

If after RAM test, BIOS reset, fresh USB, and disk mode switch it still BSODs randomly:

• Try removing one stick of RAM if there are two


• Replace the SATA cable or switch to another SATA port


• Try installing to a different hard drive or SSD (faulty drives can crash the installer)

Would you like me to:

• Create a TPM-bypassed ISO for Windows 11?


• Walk you through installing Win11 via command line (DISM) to bypass installer bugs?


• Or give you a bootable tool to scan hardware health in one sweep?

Let me know and we'll tame this old lion of a PC yet.

That's helpful - and good on you for being thorough early. Since you've already:

• Run internal diagnostics (RAM and storage passed)


• Wiped the disk properly with certified tools


• Seen multiple different BSODs (BUGCODE_USB_DRIVER, SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION)


• Yet haven't changed the USB or installer settings in between...

Then this is almost certainly driver or media-related, and not hardware per se. Let's cut to the most likely culprits for this seemingly shape-shifting installer instability:

Most Probable Remaining Causes

1. The USB Installer Itself (Corrupt, Misaligned, or Bad Format)

Even if it boots - if it was made with:

• FAT32 (can fail loading large files or UEFI)


• Media Creation Tool on an old stick


• Unpatched ISO (triggering TPM/Secure Boot crashes silently)

...it may trip on different files each time.

2. BIOS Mode vs Installer Mode Conflict (UEFI vs Legacy BIOS)

The HP Pro 3500 defaults to Legacy BIOS, but if the installer is UEFI-based (GPT partitioned), it can cause crash loops or erratic install behavior.

3. Storage Driver Incompatibility

Newer Windows 11 ISOs try to use NVMe/AHCI drivers by default. This box may still have IDE mode or an older controller that doesn't like the newer default drivers.

What You Should Do Now (Minimalist Repair Strategy)

Step 1: Build a Clean Windows 11 Installer (Legacy-Compatible)

Use Rufus with these exact settings:

Then:

• Plug into a rear USB 2.0 port


• Avoid blue USB 3.0 ports for now


• Unplug all other devices

Step 2: Enter BIOS and Use These Settings

• Legacy Boot: Enabled


• UEFI Boot: Disabled (or CSM enabled if BIOS forces UEFI)


• SATA Mode: Try AHCI if it's on IDE


• Secure Boot: Disabled


• XHCI Hand-off: Disabled


• Fast Boot: Disabled


• VT-d / Virtualization: Disabled temporarily

Save and exit.

Step 3: Let It Install With Only These Things Plugged In:

• USB installer


• Wired keyboard


• Wired mouse

Unplug:

• Wi-Fi dongles


• Extra monitors


• Front-panel USB devices


• Printers, hubs, card readers

Optional: Install Windows 10 First Then Upgrade

If it still fails, install Windows 10 Pro 22H2 (last good build for older hardware). Once stable:

1. Boot into Windows 10


2. Mount Windows 11 ISO


3. Run setup.exe


4. Use Rufus or Skip_TPM_Check_on_Dynamic_Update.cmd to bypass upgrade blocks

If You Want to Go Deep: Try DISM Install

We can apply Windows manually without the standard GUI setup, which avoids almost all driver/USB/TPM issues:

• Boot into Windows 10 PE or MiniTool


• Use DISM:

dism /apply-image /imagefile:D:\sources\install.wim /index:6 /applydir:C:\
bcdboot C:\Windows

Let me know if you'd like that route or want a pre-built ISO that just works with Legacy BIOS and no TPM.

This HP can absolutely run Win11 - it just needs to be spoken to in the old language.