Posted on 10/16/2009 9:27:10 AM PDT by TheBattman
I am a Mac user by choice, but my work computer is an HP Pavilion laptop running Vista. I am in NO way trying to bash MS (though I generally am no fan of Gates and his MS beast), but I am seeking real discourse and help. I am a fairly experienced computer users, and have spent a good deal of time over the last few years helping in the technology department at my previous employment.
Back in the spring (machine was still under warranty), the HD died (supposedly, I am not convinced) right after a large Windows update (that were done without my authorizing, and with Windows update set to ask). The machine never successfully booted again until HP sent a replacement hard drive and a Boot disc. I am fully convinced (and have found other similar references on the 'net to the same effect) that the Windows Update hosed the drive. Since then, I haven't had much trouble, until today.
I had the laptop at home doing some work. When I was getting ready to head to my office, I noticed when I clicked to turn off the machine, it began installing 15 updates (umm....this machine checks daily for updates, and I am in the habit of reviewing and authorizing updates at least daily - so why 15 all at once?). Further- I didn't tell it to install ANYTHING...
Well - about 5 minutes later, it apparently finished installing all 15 items and shut down. I let it sit another few minutes to be sure it wasn't going to reboot or anything. After that, I unplugged it, put it in my bag and headed to the office.
Well - upon arrival, I set it on my desk, plugged in the power cord and hit the power button. The fan revved up high, and the screen had a dull glow - and that was it. No boot at all. I hit the power button (after about 20 minutes of letting it sit that way) and it sounded like it turned off. I hit the power button again and get a blue screen indicating that the computer failed to boot, and asking if I wanted it to try to repair by restoring to a previous state. I clicked ok - and 15 minutes later, the machine booted "normally".
Now, another 30 minutes later (not using the computer since it booted), Windows Update pops up telling me there are new updates to install, asking if I want to install them (umm.... why didn't it ask earlier this morning?). Sure enough - there are 15 updates listed - all from today.
Cumulative Security Update for ActiveX Killbits for Windows Vista
Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 8 for Windows
Microsft.NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 2 Security Update for Vista Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2
Security Update for Windows Media Format Runtime 11
Security update for Windows Vista(KB971848)
Security update for Windows Vista(KB974571)
Security update for Windows Vista(KB975467)
Security update for Windows Vista (KB975517)
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - October 2009
Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista Update for Windows Mail Junk I-mail Filter
Security Update for Microsoft Office Visio Viewer 2007
Security Update for the 2007 Microsoft Office System
Security Update for the 2007 Microsoft Office System
Definition Update for Windows Defender - KB915597
What the heck? And do I REALLY want to install these again? It hosed the startup the first time. Anyone have any suggestion?
Do you have an Intel or AMD processor?
If it is an AMD processor, there was a big problem back awhile ago with Vista service pack and the inability to boot after the update.
My best advice is to upgrade to Windows 7...which is basically Vista - but fixed.
Forgot to add that this was a particular problem with HP boxes
I have XP on my Compaq laptop. I’ve turned off Windows updates after insuring SP3 is running. Best thing I did. Sure, the little reminders when I boot can be a small annoyance, but it beats having what you had happen. I know this doesn’t answer your problem, but you may consider turning off the updates in the future.
Avoid the IE 8 update. You can always install it later and if I recall correctly, it’s huge.
Watt, I misread it, you already have 8. You might as well patch it.
A few months ago I had a somewhat similar problem. The update causing the problem on my machine (a reasonably current dual core laptop running VISTA HP 32) was the NET 2.0 service pack. It would go into a loop where it would reboot to make the necessary file changes, then fail and reboot again. When I backed up and did some exploration, I found that all the other updates were OK. So, since then, I’ve unchecked that particular update and all has been well.
As far as your hard disk goes, I have no idea. Sounds either like coincidence or a wiped boot record.
My home computer has an AMD processor & it would not boot up Windows after installing SP3. I was fortunately able to enter thru safe mode & uninstall SP3. Wala, back to a healthy computer. I stopped all automatic updates & went back to requiring approval for any updates.
I think it was the SP3 on my Intel work computer that screwed up access to my USB ports. I was not able to undo that. Our IT guy will reformat & reload & we’ll see what happens.
My advice has nothing to do with the OS.
Do yourself a favor and get rid of the HP.
bookmark AMD/HP boot failure
Windows Update CAN mess your OS up big time, but you should have a backup to go back to and your machine should boot to a boot disk..
Sooooo weird..! I had ZACTLY the same thing last night, fri 10/16 at 9:00 pm PST:
When it came time to turn off the computer, it stated I had TWENTY updates (!) and that I should not power down or remove power cord while it installed these updates. This passive time that I just waited was....like 6 minutes of me just sitting there.
I have never had such so many updates stacked up like that, and now I’m really worried....
I’m running an HP/Compaq Pavillion V6000 or something, on XP.
I REGULARLY update my computer and I’m always apprised of the situation as I do it (not at the end of the session).
I have a vista HP laptop that I bought Nov
‘08. I believe it’s Intel but I could be wrong. I noticed that my laptop cough a few times trying to digest the Net 2.0 service pak too. It didn’t crash or refuse to boot but it seems like I ‘kept’ having to install it, I got install messages for it a few times. I haven’t used the laptop lately but I suspect if I turn it on, it might still tell me I have to install Net 2.0.
SIDE NOTE: In reading the comments I can see that some people have had success not updating their machines. I a person who ‘has’ to update their machine. I surf the web alot and I got into security software a few years ago and am now taking a class in computer security. The more I investigated, the more I found malware (viruses, spyware etc.) on my machine. It seemed like the more I investigated, the more malware I found. So I began working to clean and guard my computer. I have learned that patching and updating your machine is about the most important thing you can do to protect it from spyware etc. Since I have gotten devout about doing so, my security find alot less to complain about - mostly cookies.
Actually the same thing happened to my HP Pavillion. It was running fine until I loaded an essential update, Service Pack 2. Since then it has taken as long as 45 minutes to boot up. All the lights come on and the HD whirls and then it shuts down and starts the process all over again. Usually it takes about 10 minutes and numerous tries to start. Yesterday it actually took 45 minutes before it booted up. Can’t help you with any solutions. I am waiting for a copy of Win 7 and then I am going to do a complete, new install. The beta version worked great when I had it on this computer.
that ALSO happened to me, starting about a month ago; computer acknowledges good power supply, blue light show success in initial power-up attempt, I hear stuff whirring —fine.
Then before displaying any screen stuff it would trip on something, abort, and then try to run through that zact same startup protocol —around the same mulberry bush, like 7 times, 10 times....
So at the right time on the next loop I pressed F1. Then I went to C:, properties, tools, then performed a “check disk” feature, and that seemed to remedy the problem, although perhaps only temporarily in view of this post.
I also updated my virus checker, etc.
I also agree that you should upgrade to Windows 7 as soon as you can. It's fast, smooth, stable, and I love it.
HP had a patch on their web site for this issue. You might want to check it out.
However, there is another way...albeit, a bit time consuming if you want to narrow it down.
De-select all but one of the updates and let it install. Proceed like this until you get the hosed up "feature" back....possibly taking a Restore Point between each install....just in case.
You may find also that doing it this way allows all these updates install correctly without hosing the machine. I'd say it's worth a shot.
Windows 7 continues these two fatal flaws.
Microsoft shills insist that the overhead is "negligible", but they never even attempt to quantify it to back up their paid-for opinion.
Given a choice, I would never use a MS media player, assuming it were possible to use a third party program.
Guess Linus is in my future.
When windows updates the operating system and replaces
drivers, dll’s etc, if the drives have undetected
bad sectors this is what happens.
The new drivers and library files are not placed in the
same location as the old ones.
It appears that the update killed the drive when
actually a driver or shared library file was replaced
and the old one removed. The location where the new file
was placed contained bad spots rendering the new file corrupt.
When your computer goes to boot the os it starts loading the necessary drivers and library files. when it loads the new file (which is corrupt)
the boot process hangs.
The only way to avoid this problem is to run a full disk
check (Including empty sectors) routinely to detect and
mark any bad sectors so they don't get used.
I would recommend doing this and a defrag at the bare minimum, monthly.
This can be done by scheduling them as a scheduled task to run
at night during non use as they take considerable
time to complete.
I say this with certainly because I have watched 25 Hp
xp8600 workstations and laptops develop os problems.
Each time the cause of the systems that would not boot
were bad sectors or tracks on the hard drive.
We have noticed that the drives shipped with most new
computers are trash.
We now either order the workstations without the drives
or remove the drives and replace them with more expensive
ones.
Hope this helps.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/tips/gehrke1.mspx
http://www.wikihow.com/Run-Windows-XP-System-Maintenance-With-Automated-Scripts
Intel
Sorry you had a problem.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.