Startup issues - Windows Update 1

[Gavona]

A friend has passed me their Laptop to try to sort out. The problem presented was that on startup, even into safe mode it seemed unable (after hours) to get past

configuring updates stage 3 of 3 - 54% complete
Do not switch off your computer

. User had switched off a number of times at this point in the process.

Using F8 I can get into the Repair Your Computer
Tried Start up repair - could not detect a problem
Tried to use a restore point (well several different ones actually. Always the message

Did not complete successfully – files and settings not changed
System restore failed due to an unspecified error
The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable (0x80070570

What step should I take next?

Thanks,

Gavin

 

[IllogicallyLogical]

Try checking the drive for errors. Boot the laptop back into the System Recovery Options and select "Command Prompt". From the command prompt run the following command: chkdsk /r

Joey
CCNA, MCSA 2003, MCP, A+, Network+, Wireless#

 

[Gavona]

I do get this message with Start Up Repair:

Start up repair could not detect a problem
If you have recently attached a device to this computer, such as a camera or … remove it and restart the computer. If you continue to see this message, contact your system administrator…

And I have now run chkdsk with no errors detected.
And I have now run the memory diagnostics - no issues detected

Gavin

 

[linney]

As you cannot get into Vista you may like to try running ChkDsk C: /r from the Recovery Environment.

How to use the Command Prompt in the Vista Windows Recovery Environment

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial147.html

Do you know the update KB number causing the problem?

The drive manufacturer will have free bootable diagnostic software to thoroughly check the condition of your hard drive.

Do you have a Complete PC Backup that is able to be restored?

Maybe you could save your data to USB prior to the Restore to Factory Conditions by using the Recovery Environment or BartPE.

A Vista Wow - The Recovery Environment

http://www.windowswatch.co.uk/2008/01/a-vista-wow-the.html

You might be able to make use of BartPE (a mini XP self contained on a bootable CD and run from CD).

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

 

[IllogicallyLogical]

Wow... we must have all clicked "Submit Post" within seconds of each other.

Joey
CCNA, MCSA 2003, MCP, A+, Network+, Wireless#

 

[linney]

All three of us must have clicked at the same time, can't even say it was sorted alphabetically, may be it was done by our ages?

If you don't specify the C: or drive location of the Vista install you might end up running ChkDsk on the X: drive of the Recovery Environment.

 

[Gavona]

Thanks guys,
I will re-run chkdsk with /r parameter.. and try to get hold of disk manufacturer's software.

I doubt if there are any backups other than the recovery disk I made for them when they got the laptop... and since then manufacturer did a warrantee replacement(so that may not be ideal). I guess the recovery partition will be ok though.

I can get to c drive so assuming USB support is present I will be able to simply copy files to another drive as backup. However I see re-install as last resort as no doubt there is a bit of software and game settings etc that would either be lost or take me a while to sort.
Laptop is a little over a year old - well newer as manufacturer (Toshiba) had to replace the first one.

I can't get into windows but can from the recovery (F8) options get to the C drive. So I have no idea what the KB number is.

Vista Wow sounds worth looking at. No DVD for the laptop but I do have an OEM copy for a PC I built.

Will let you know how I get on.


Gavin

 

[linney]

System Restore might show the last restore point as being created by the KB but from memory it might just say something useless like Software Distribution too?

These locations are worth investigation.

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution

C:\Windows\Installer

C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log

If it turns out to be a Service Pack then I think "half in half out" is going to mean a clean install. It is going to depend, I think, on how serious or important an update is that you have half installed. If you can break the update install Vista might by its' own volition return to previous settings as it dumps the current update.

How to use Package Manager to uninstall a package in Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940410/en-us#appliesto

How to uninstall Windows Vista service packs as a troubleshooting step

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948537#appliesto

 

[Gavona]

If by age then I reckon in reverse order! I remember DoS and how to get chkdsk to look at the right drive.

Linney, I fear you may be correct. As my restore points don't work then Vista probably can't back out but it can't complete either - damn.

Restore points just say Windows Update or something similar.

chkdsk /r found no issues but the final line says

unable to transfer logged messages to the event log with status 50

Not sure what this means. I don't reckon there is a HDD issue. I would run Toshiba HDD diagnostics software to make sure but can't find it. Drive is MK1252GSX.

Windowsupdate.log is understandable...

Since 15 August I have multiple identical entries

Found 1 persisted download calls to restore
Download manager restoring 1 download
WARNING: fail to get deployments with error 0x80248007
Succesfully loaded 1 persisted download calls
Attempt 0 to obtain download results

This is where it gets stuck as the next log is then initialised.



Gavin

 

[linney]

unable to transfer logged messages to the event log with status 50"

Nothing to worry about there it is a standard output message common to that way of running ChkDsk. I always assumed it to mean your not in Vista so I can't write to the Vista event Viewer. Anyway, I see it every time I run ChkDsk from Recovery.

Now you mention it, I vaguely remember something about Toshiba not supplying hard drive diagnostic for download?

How to read the Windowsupdate.log file

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093#appliesto

 

[Gavona]

The WindowsUpdate.log seems to be telling me:

Restart Required: To complete the installation of the following updates, the computer will be restarted within 5 minutes: - Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - August 2009 (KB890830) - Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [August 2009] (KB905866) - Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 and .NET Framework 3.5 Family Update (KB951847) x86 - Security Update for Windows Vista (KB973540) - Update for Windows Vista (KB968389) - Security Update for Windows Vista (KB971557) - Security Update for Windows Vista (KB956744) - Security Update for Windows Vista (KB971657) - Security Update for Windows Vista (KB973507)

With no subsequent success messages.

WARNING: Pending directive, 'Reboot Pending', is not applicable
AU received handle event
AU setting pending client directive to 'Reboot Pending'
WARNING: Initiating reboot since no user logged on
AU invoking RebootSystem (OnRebootNow)
WARNING: SUS Client is rebooting system.
AU invoking RebootSystem (OnRebootRetry)
AU rebooting machine since no user is logged on and reboot is required.
WARNING: Initiating reboot since no user logged on
AU invoking RebootSystem (OnRebootNow)
WARNING: Failed to reboot system, hr=8007045B.
WARNING: RebootSystem (InitiateSystemShutdown) failed, error = 0x8007045B
WARNING: Initiating reboot since no user logged on
AU invoking RebootSystem (OnRebootNow)
WARNING: Failed to reboot system, hr=8007045B.
WARNING: RebootSystem (InitiateSystemShutdown) failed, error = 0x8007045B
[red]user declined update at shutdown[/red]
AU initiates service shutdown
########### AU: Uninitializing Automatic Updates ###########
*********
** END ** Service: Service exit [Exit code = 0x240001]
*************

Then the following at each reboot

=========== Logging initialized (build: 7.2.6001.788, tz: +0100) ===========
= Process: C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe
= Module: c:\windows\system32\wuaueng.dll
*************
** START ** Service: Service startup
*********
* WU client version 7.2.6001.788
* Base directory: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
* Access type: No proxy
* Network state: Connected
*********** Agent: Initializing Windows Update Agent ***********
*********** Agent: Initializing global settings cache ***********
* WSUS server: <NULL>
* WSUS status server: <NULL>
* Target group: (Unassigned Computers)
* Windows Update access disabled: No
* Found 1 persisted download calls to restore
Download manager restoring 1 downloads
WARNING: fail to get update deployments with error 0x80248007
* Successfully loaded 1 persisted download calls.
Attempt 0 to obtain post-reboot results.
=========== Logging initialized (build: 7.2.6001.788, tz: +0100) ===========

I googled that last error message and found

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/958046

So I renamed the software distribution folder and... still no joy.

Before I clean install I will endeavour to backup using xcopy. Just got to figure out what to back up.

Gavin

 

[donb01]

Hey - I'm talking from the hip here as I can't recall having to do an F8 in Vista yet (knock on laminate).

Does it still have "Safe Mode with Network Support"?

If so, can you then get to the windows update site and have it check your computer for needed updates, or is "windows" not running in safe mode either and you're just getting a command prompt?

have you tried to run any kind of virus scan while in safe mode? I think there are still some that will run from a command prompt if you can't get into Windows - I think part of AVG has a scanner that can be run from the command line...

just some random ideas...

 

[linney]

Have a look at what is available to you via what is referred to in this link as "a mini Windows Explorer".
Windows Recovery Environment

http://smallvoid.com/article/winnt-recovery-environment.htm

Don't forget the E-mail messages when it comes to saving valuable files. I often forget to save them them.

 

[Gavona]

(That link doesn't work.) However I have been using the Windows Recovery Environment - installed by Toshiba in a hidden partition, accessed using F8.

I logged a call with Microsoft but am not hopeful. I will talk to my friend at the weekend to find out what they are desperate to restore.

Gavin

 

[linney]

The corrected link with an "l" added at the end.

http://smallvoid.com/article/winnt-recovery-environment.html

 

[firewolfrl]

do this:
1) Insert DVD and begin the Vista setup.



2) Select language and currency format etc.. then click next.



3) Select repair my computer (or something like that) on the bottom left of the screen.



4) Select your Vista installation click next.



5) Click command prompt from the list of options.



6) Type 'ren c:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml pending.bak' press enter.



7) Type 'ren c:\windows\winsxs\cleanup.xml cleanup.bak' press enter.



8) Type 'exit' press enter.



9) Click restart.



You will now get to your login screen.


then you can do all your backups and use the transfer wizard to save your settings

I have tested this on a machine that was in a reboot scenerio and it does work very well

 

[Gavona]

I tried Firewolfrl's suggestion. I got as far as the screen that allows you to select user - then it tried to install updates again. Have repeated a couple of times but not managed to get that far again.
Giving up on recovering and going for re-install. Just figuring out how to explore and find those files to back up first.

donbo1: sorry, didn't spot your response before. No I can't even get into safe mode... well on one occasion I got a screen which said Safe Mode at the top but I waited 3 hrs and no prompts, cursor etc appeared....

I am copying everything to a USB drive. Will then try using the recovery partition to re-install

Gavin