KB4343909 (OS Build 17134.228) failure = crashed MBR

Setup:
HP Compaq 8200 Elite Convertible minitower
Intel(R) Core (TM) i5-2500 CPU @3.30GHz
16gb RAM
64-bit windows 10 pro

Problem:
Windows 10 automatic updates have been trying to install update "2018-08 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1803 for x64-based Systems (KB4343909)". Once the pc restarts it begins to install it. after 20-40 minutes the update fails and attempts to restore the save point. at which point the restore will fail causing the pc to restart and enter a nice Blue screen screen with a frowny face and a barcode. Then it will restart.
Normally these updates install at 6pm once I am gone for the day. So these restarts will occur all night long till I return in the morning. At which point the screen is black with a white line blinking.

Fixing the PC after a crash:
Attempts at a system restore fails. The only thing that works is repairing the MBR using a windows 10 installer disk. I ran across an old post that, following the directions correctly, would fix the MBR and let the pc boot back into normal state. https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...c-81e572d546df Here is the link for that

At this point I have the updates stalled. I tried installing it from Microsoft directly without the use of windows 10 update to which it did not work.

Please help

Caledon Ken said:

Hi psllaw3601. Welcome to the TenForums @psllaw3601

When I follow that article it talks about rebuilding the EFI partition, if this is the case you actually aren't booting with MBR (legacy) you are booting UEFI

In any event you are getting your machine back and that is all that counts. I would like to recommend you look at Macrium Reflect.

Really nice tool to restore your system should something really head south.

Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect

You do need to create the boot media and test it.

On to the issue at hand. I think I would run the Update trouble shooter.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...-update-errors

If you are using a third party AV I would uninstall until you get through this. As well disconnect non-essential devices.

If this doesn't get you past the issue I would do an inpace repair / upgrade. As you are on 1803 and assuming you do this today the MCT tool will give you 1803 boot media. If you have your own 1803 boot media you can use that. It is a non destructive process, keeps apps and data, but I always recommend a full backup of your data.

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade


Ken

oh yes sorry about that. When it first happened the path for recovery was checking the data was intact on the drive then figuring out why it wouldn't boot which lead me to forums about corrupt MBR. I digress you are right, at least the advice on the page did help to restore the PC.

I ran the update trouble shooter and detected no known issues at all. It should be noted in one of my other attempts at repair I did download the update straight from Microsoft to see if the issue fixed itself.

I didn't know/consider a in-place upgrade. I was at my wits end of either reformat and start new or keep up the never ending cycle of pausing updates. Question about this method, are there any downsides? I understand the risks but are their downsides like will I have to reactive all my products aka find all the serials?

Thank you in advance for your help