Computer stuck 13 of 17 Windows updates

[thewolfe]

Have a friend's computer that started Windows Updates and got to 13 of 17 and won't go any farther.

Tried re-starting (I know they say not to) and it gets to 13 and won't go any further.

Also can't start it in Safe Mode.

What next?

[Spidey]

Is system restore enabled?

You can try to restore the last working configuration.

How long are you waiting, before restarting?

[Krom]

Check event viewer and or the windows update log files for any relevant errors. Also try deleting the windows update cache, in case it is a corrupted file causing the hang.

Also being unable to start windows in safe mode usually means bad things have gotten into the system. Scanning it offline with a rescue CD might help, but if it doesn't, consider backing up their files and then flattening the system.

[thewolfe]

Can't get on. The only thing that comes up is the Windows Update screen 13 of 17.

No Safe mode. Restarting or hard shutdown only brings up same Windows update screen 13 of 17.

[Krom]

Start the computer, mash the F8 button to display the windows startup options where you would normally pick safe mode, try "last known good configuration".

If he is running windows vista or windows 7, it may be possible to boot from the windows DVD and run system restore to roll back to the system checkpoint before the updates were installed.

[thewolfe]

See above "No safe mode" F8 doesn't do anything.

[Spidey]

Check online, you might have a hotkey to press during startup that will take you directly into the restore menu.

My HPudpacker running Vista did.

Also make sure F8 is the proper key, some makers use different keys…as dumb as that sounds.

Be sure to press and release, keeping the key down can make some systems ignore the keypress.

[thewolfe]

I think what happened original was the computer was in the middle of updating when it was restarted.

[Isaac]

Windows updater strikes again...

[thewolfe]

FIXED! Or should I say it's working. left it on all night and the updates must have installed cause it's up and running this morning.

Thanks for the posts.

[Jeff250]

The .net updates can take so long to install sometimes so as to appear stuck. Compound this with a computer with slow hardware, antivirus installed, and a smattering of malware running in the background, and you get the idea.

[Spidey]

That’s why I asked him how long he was waiting…

If he had answered, he might have saved some trouble.

[thewolfe]

Sorry, it had been at least 12 hours.