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Resolved Computer hangs on restart [after Windows Update]

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by DugE, 2013/03/26.

  1. 2013/03/26
    DugE

    DugE Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Win 7 home x64

    Installed update from Microsoft update and was told to restart. Got to the screen "Preparing to configure Windows.
    Do not turn off your computer.


    Hung at this screen. What do I do?
     
    DugE,
    #1
  2. 2013/03/26
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi DugE. Normally when this happens I just let the machine configure the updates and shut itself down when its done.
    I've seen plenty of people turn off their machines after a few minutes at that stage because they were too impatient to let Windows configure the updates. How long has it been configuring the updates for? How many Windows Updates did you install?
     
    Evan Omo,
    #2


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  4. 2013/03/26
    DugE

    DugE Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Hi Evan, thanks for the quick reply.

    Update only had 1 to install so that was it and I've been on that page now for about 10 minutes or so.
     
    DugE,
    #3
  5. 2013/03/26
    DugE

    DugE Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Also noticed that there is no hdd activity, only about a one second flash.
     
    DugE,
    #4
  6. 2013/03/26
    DugE

    DugE Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Still hung.

    Will it do any harm to do a hard shutdown. I can't restart or turn off normally so I will have to turn it off at the switch. And if I do will I return to the same screen I am at now or will Windows start up normally and I then have to do the install all over again? New to Win7 here. A lot different than xp. :)
     
    Last edited: 2013/03/26
    DugE,
    #5
  7. 2013/03/26
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Your computer already has Windows 7 Service Pack 1 installed right?

    I would give the machine another 30 minutes before manually shutting it down. Then when you restart the machine see if the update is able to configure itself properly.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #6
  8. 2013/03/26
    DugE

    DugE Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Yeah I'm updated except for this one. Will wait for 30min and see what happens when I shut down. Thanks.
     
    DugE,
    #7
  9. 2013/03/26
    DugE

    DugE Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Shut down the computer and waited five minutes or so before restarting. Same screen came up but had hdd activity for about ten seconds and returned to holding pattern. No activity except for the one second flash.

    "Preparing to configure Windows.

    I did notice the period at the end of Windows moved one space to the right. It did this twice then resumed its normal place. It kept pace the the hdd flash I mentioned. Don't know it this means anything but I thought I would mention it.

    Checked again after typing this and it is still hung at same screen.
     
    DugE,
    #8
  10. 2013/03/26
    DugE

    DugE Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    I got in to Safe Mode. Wouldn't let me at first. Computer said something about a bad shutdown and was doing some type of repair. Then the screen changed and went into safe mode. I thought maybe I would go and try to delete the update to see if that would solve the problem and then try the update again.
    Win7 is different from xp. No $ thingys where the updates are kept in the Windows folder. Tried the show all files to see if I could find them.

    Anyway, now that I'm in safe mode anything I can do to repair this?

    Thanks
     
    DugE,
    #9
  11. 2013/03/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Orb > Control Panel > Windows Update > View Update History > To remove an update - see Installed Updates.

    If the update is listed uninstall it.
     
    PeteC,
    #10
  12. 2013/03/26
    DugE

    DugE Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Hi PeteC. I don't have Windows Update in the Control Panel. Could this be due that I am in safe mode? I have Control Panel set to small icons so I can see everything and if I'm not mistaken Windows Update is not the only one not showing. Again is this because I'm in safe mode? Thanks.
     
    DugE,
    #11
  13. 2013/03/26
    DugE

    DugE Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Ok did a search and found the installed updates. I had 12 installed on the 15th but nothing since. The update that the computer is/was trying to get is not listed. Its still trying to configure the computer.
     
    DugE,
    #12
  14. 2013/03/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    You are correct - Windows Update does not show up in Safe Mode. Had to boot into Safe Mode to check - not been in Safe Mode for years :)

    As the update is not listed - probably to be expected as it has not completed, one option may be System Restore - which is accessible from Safe Mode and may/may not work under the present circumstances.

    A Restore point is generally, but not always, made when installing updates.
     
    PeteC,
    #13
  15. 2013/03/26
    DugE

    DugE Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    While I was in safe mode I went to troubleshooting. There was an option to check windows update problems. I clicked on it but it needed networking to work so I rebooted to go to safe mode with networking. While it restarted I decided to let it start normally just to see. It started normally and said I had 2 updates; IE 10 and kb2807986. So I let it download and install to see if it would do ok.

    At present it is again hung at the Preparing windows screen. I'm thinking the kb update is what is causing the problem since that was the update I tried to install this morning. (east coast) IE10 was't offered this morning.
     
    DugE,
    #14
  16. 2013/03/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    It would appear from Google that a lot of people are having issues with that update. Some of the threads are somewhat garbled with no clear conclusion. I can only suggest contacting MS for free support .....
    - unless Evan or someone else has a better solution.
     
    PeteC,
    #15
  17. 2013/03/26
    DugE

    DugE Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    I'm going to try 'Last known configeration' before trying a system restore.
    Thanks for all the help guys.
     
    DugE,
    #16
  18. 2013/03/27
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Sorry I haven't replied to this thread sooner. You can try a Last known Good Configuration and see if that helps.

    Based on the information in the support article for that Windows Update,
    Just to make sure, do you have this update installed on your machine? Update for Windows 7 (KB2552343).
     
    Evan Omo,
    #17

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