Windows 10 Updates - Computer Won't Boot

Brentg · 17 Jun 2020

I've had this problem before, but twice in the last week it has taken me the better part of a day to get my computer back on its feet using a recovery disk, command prompt, etc.
When Windows 10 Update runs, it seems most of them fail, and when they do my computer won't boot giving me the "no boot device" message.
It looks as if the version "Version:1903-OS Build 18362.900 and 1909-OS Build 18363.900" is set to try again at a restart after having tried 3 times. I've had all I can handle with these updates and have no idea what they do to my computer, causing it not to boot.
Can someone tell me how to just turn them all off?
Thanks

Ztruker · 17 Jun 2020

The first thing you need to do is backup your current install once you get it fixed this time. The best way to do this is to use Macrium Reflect Free to make an image backup to an external hard drive. If you don't have an external hard drive now is a good time to get one as regular backup should be a part of your normal process. You can get a 1TB external hard drive for $60 (less if on sale). Once you have this you can always get back to where you were when the back was take in less than 30 minutes. Just remember to keep it current, update it before every major update.

How to Enable or Disable Automatic Updates for Windows Update in Windows 10

A little advertisement from Shawn Brink: Tutorial updated to add a new reliable Option One to enable or disable automatic updates using Wu10Man.

Brentg · 18 Jun 2020

Ztruker said:

The first thing you need to do is backup your current install once you get it fixed this time. The best way to do this is to use Macrium Reflect Free to make an image backup to an external hard drive. If you don't have an external hard drive now is a good time to get one as regular backup should be a part of your normal process. You can get a 1TB external hard drive for $60 (less if on sale). Once you have this you can always get back to where you were when the back was take in less than 30 minutes. Just remember to keep it current, update it before every major update.

How to Enable or Disable Automatic Updates for Windows Update in Windows 10

A little advertisement from Shawn Brink: Tutorial updated to add a new reliable Option One to enable or disable automatic updates using Wu10Man.

Thank You For Your Response! I am currently downloading Macrium Reflect Free. Would you suggest an external hard drive over a 1 TB Flash Drive? I have partitioned my hard drive about a month ago and backed up my install there. Of course, this does nothing for a bad hard disk.
The backup on my partition has around 100gig of 150gig available. Should I delete it and do another backup there using Macrium Reflect, until I get my external Hard Drive?

Last night I kept my computer on and would like the forum's opinion on what they would run before I reboot. I stumbled across some info that recommended I delete the pending updates from "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download" which I did. I also downloaded a program "Show or Hide Update Tool".

Thanks To All Who Respond

Ztruker · 18 Jun 2020

If you can afford an external HDD (USB SSD would be my choice - Samsung Canvio) I'd go with that. $50 to $60 from Amazon. I just don't have a lot of faith in the reliability of flash drives long term. If that's all you have though then use it.

Just follow Brink's tutorial and you should be all set.

I picked up a 1Tb Samsung Canvio 1TB external SSD for $59 from Amazon around Christmas. They are always running sales.

I see a Seagate Backup Plus Slim 1TB USB 3.0/USB 2.0 External Hard Drive for $52.49 from Staples.

Brentg · 18 Jun 2020

Ztruker said:

If you can afford an external HDD (USB SSD would be my choice - Samsung Canvio) I'd go with that. $50 to $60 from Amazon. I just don't have a lot of faith in the reliability of flash drives long term. If that's all you have though then use it.

Just follow Brink's tutorial and you should be all set.

I picked up a 1Tb Samsung Canvio 1TB external SSD for $59 from Amazon around Christmas. They are always running sales.

I see a Seagate Backup Plus Slim 1TB USB 3.0/USB 2.0 External Hard Drive for $52.49 from Staples.

Thanks, man, I'll probably go with the Seagate. As for the Windows backup I have now on my partitioned hard drive, should I go with that until my Seagate external drive comes in or delete it and run a backup by Macrium Reflect Free that I downloaded?

Ztruker · 18 Jun 2020

Wait until you have a good Macrium backup, then delete the Windows backup.

Brentg · 18 Jun 2020

Ztruker said:

Wait until you have a good Macrium backup, then delete the Windows backup.

Thanks Ztruker, That makes sense

Ztruker · 19 Jun 2020

You're welcome. If you deleted it that would be the time it was needed, according to Mr. Murphy

Brentg · 20 Jun 2020

Ztruker said:

You're welcome. If you deleted it that would be the time it was needed, according to Mr. Murphy

Hey Ztruker, I just thought I would update you on what has transpired with my computer since my last post. I had my computer on for a couple of days without rebooting since I had a pending update/restart showing at my power button. I knew, based on what had been happening with windows updates, that should I restart the computer, it would not reboot, saying there was a boot failure.
I proceeded to do a search for ways to stop a pending update and found that you should delete the contents of "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download". I was then instructed to go to the command prompt, stop the update process, rename the SoftwareDistribution folder, start the update process, and then delete the *.old folder. Sounds good, huh?
Well, I did all this and the pending update/restart on the power button was gone. I restarted the computer and low and behold it tried to install a windows update, failed, and then would not boot. I spent lots of time trying to get it up and when I do get it up, I don't know exactly what I did. I have the windows installation on a USB drive, I have a Windows Repair CD and when I use them, nothing on them works, i.e. Startup Repair, Uninstall Windows Updates, System Restore Points, etc. I usually wind up going to a command prompt and use commands related to repairing and rebuilding the master boot record. Ultimately, my best bet has been getting the computer to boot to safe mode and running Chkdsk which I was able to do last night and it ran all night and my computer came back up. This leads me to believe my hard drive is failing, and I haven't ordered the external drive you recommend yet, as I am not sure as to which one you meant. I am looking at the 1TB Toshiba Canvio $52.99, but it is not SSD? I could not find a 1Tb Samsung Canvio listed, the WD 2TB gets terrible reviews and the Samsung 2TB is supposedly very slow.
Can you help me out on this? I'm looking to order one today. Thanks

Ztruker · 20 Jun 2020

I've been saying Samsung when I should have been saying Toshiba, sorry.

All Canvio drives are SSD.

Walmart has it for $46.99:
Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0 Black - HDTB410XK3AA

Amazon has a slightly different model for $55.99
Toshiba Canvio Basics 3.0 1 TB Portable Hard Drive (Black)(HDTB210XK3BA)

The Canvio Basics portable hard drive allows you to collect your content and take it anywhere, offering high storage capacity, easy accessibility to your stored content, and time-tested reliable performance. Never stop capturing your adventures. Canvio Basics offers the space to collect in a size you can take anywhere. The Toshiba Canvio Basics provides a lot of storage so you can store pictures, videos, and your favorite music on a small 2.5" portable drive. Canvio Basics is all you need, wherever you go. Keeping data storage simple, the Canvio Basics lets you collect and store your favorites with its portability and lighting fast transfer speeds. With USB 3.0 you'll be able to transfer files on the go while powering the drive through your laptop's USB connection. The Toshiba Canvio Basics features a minimalist design as well as clean edges, a sleek, matte surface and a thin profile. This durable portable hard drive is built to Toshiba's world-class quality standards.

Sleek profile design with a matte, smudge-resistance finish
Plug & Play - Easy to use with no software to install
Quickly add more storage capacity to your PC and other compatible devices
USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatible with no external AC power cord needed
Includes Toshiba 1-year standard limited warranty