New win 10 build, BSOD on the reg  

" I attached photos of the Mint installer crash"
Did you google all the hints in that SS.

"Could PCI bus issue cause the network and sata failures?"
Try a Non-Ubuntu-Based Distro.
4 Best Non-Ubuntu-Based Distros That Are Beginner Friendly

"2) Nuke the windows install and pray for the best?"
Boot from the ISO & during the install, keep hitting Delete, until Delete & Format are greyed out & you are left with Unallocated.
No other drives should be connected during the install.
https://i.imgur.com/4CoHdW4.gif

"3) Throw this thing in the neighbor's neglected mosquito pool."
No, there will be a lot of good parts in that comp.

Ok, so I managed to get Fedora installed. I used GParted to reformat and repartition the SATA spin drive I'm using for these linux experiments, and that got the installer to recognize the disk. Perhaps the Lubuntu installation from last experiment wasn't playing nice with the Mint/Fedora installers.

So, after using GParted, fedora installed ok and recognizes the SATA disk. Yay.

Still no network connection. Output from lspci lists an "Ethernet Controller: Realtek Semiconducter Co LTD RTL8125 2.5GBe controller (rev 05)"

When I open the Network gui in Fedora all I can do is configure VPNs, but I don't see a way to add an ethernet connection.

I think I am losing the plot, I can't remember why I'm messing with linux. I guess it's just to see if the system is stable in a non windows environment?

We are trying to see if all your hardware is Ok. All hardware drivers should have installed automatically.

Indeed, that was the goal of these Linux trials. I am not sure we've proven that to be the case.

None of the Linux flavors I tried would establish an ethernet connection.

One of the Snail flags was the network adapter.

Might there be a link here?

"Indeed, that was the goal of these Linux trials. I am not sure we've proven that to be the case"
We haven't, I don't know if it is a User or hardware issue, that's why we need to try a clean install on your spare drive.

"One of the Snail flags was the network adapter"
You have mentioned that before, but without trying I have no way of knowing.

Ok, with the new install, let windows do it's stuff, updates & drivers etc. Now test.

Don't add any programs whilst testing.

Small steps, keep testing without making any more changes.
"Processor has the same 2009 MS drivers. I assume that is not so nice"
If you are not getting any blue screens, leave that alone.

"There are some unrecognized PCI devices now"
We will deal with that later, once we know for sure your W10 install is stable.

Don't install the Optional MS Update.

We will deal with that later, once we know for sure your W10 install is stable.

It's not.

Apologies for the stream of consciousness post above but it ends in BSOD.

I set up the compy running a long youtube video, and it reset at some point. I logged in, checked BlueScreenView, and there was a minidump. I posted an image of the BlueScreenView log in the previous post.

I am going to try disabling the network interface and using a usb ethernet adapter to try and re-create the crash watching the same 10 hour bossa nova video. I don't have sound without my audio interface installed, so I won't be able to groove properly, but these are the hardships we face in 2021.

I have a hunch at this point it's MOBO related, specific to the NIC since none of the linux flavors I installed would create a network connection. I don't have an adapter handy, but I'm sure I can borrow one from a buddy.

LMK if there's anything to try in the meantime. For now, I sleep.