Daily Win 10 auto update attempts, 100% fail rate

Mh434 · 20 Jan 2018

I'm new here, so please be patient! I'm not literate in operating systems, etc., so I'm hoping to find a fairly simple solution to my problem.

Over the past few months, Win 10 (I have Win 10 Home 64 bit) auto updates have been failing, and crashing my computer (i.e., after update attempt, I have a blue screen, no cursor, and only shutting down completely will restart it). In every case, on restarting, it goes through 6-8 reboots, followed by "Restoring your computer to the previous version of Windows".

I tried going through Windows live help, and spent 14 hours with them remotely accessing my computer (6 different techs). They finally managed to get one of the several months' worth of updates to work, and declared it "fixed". They said I'd need to enroll in an "enhanced support" program (for several hundred dollars) to get any more in-depth assistance.

Now, a couple of weeks later, these auto update attempts are happening every hour or so, each time with the inevitable crash/restart/multiple reboots/"restoring your computer to the previous...."

I should add that I've done the troubleshooter for the Win 10 updater, several times now. Each time, it finds a bunch of problems, applies fixes, and declares it repaired. 10 minutes later, it tries again to update, and the whole process starts again.

There are no error messages, etc. for me to track or follow, and the list of updates shows the majority of them supposedly successful. Even so, I seem to be on a version of Win 10 from August 2017 or so.

Does anyone have any sage advice? I understand that auto update can't be shut off, but this is getting ridiculous - if I have dinner, when I return my computer's crashed & it takes half an hour to get it running again.

*Edit - I just found the post on disabling auto update, and I've used "option 5". That may turn off the auto updates, covering one of the symptoms, but it won't help the disease...

By the way, I have Malaware Bytes installed (the full, paid version), if that makes a difference

Help!

simrick · 20 Jan 2018

Hi. There are a few things I can suggest:

Set your internet connection to metered to stop the updates temporarily.
Set Ethernet Connection as Metered or Unmetered in Windows 10 Network Sharing Tutorials

Set Wireless Network as Metered or Non-Metered in Windows 10 Network Sharing Tutorials

Turn off Fast Startup
Turn On or Off Fast Startup in Windows 10 Performance Maintenance Tutorials
Reboot the system for it to take effect.

Check the health of your hard drive
Crystal Disk Info

Run CHKDSK on your hard drive
Open an Admin Command Prompt and enter

Code:

chkdsk /r

Reboot the machine and let it run before Windows starts

Download the most current W10 ISO and do an in-place repair
Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade Installation Upgrade Tutorials

HTH

zbook · 20 Jan 2018

To workup the failed upgrade there are logs that can automatically be collected and others that need to be collected manually.

This is an automatic log collector that we use in another forum. Please run it and post a zip into this thread:
log collector v2-beta08.zip

Download and install: Everything:
voidtools

Use it the search for these folders and files and post into the thread any of the files found using one drive or drop box share links:
PANTHER logs
C:\Windows\Panther
setuperr.log
setupact.log
Setupmem.dmp
setupapi.dev.log
BlueBox.log
Event logs (*.evtx)
C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources\Rollback
$Windows.~bt\Sources\Rollback\setupmem.dmp
$Windows.~bt\Sources\Rollback\setupapi\setupapi.dev.log
$Windows.~bt\Sources\Rollback*.evtx
$Windows.~BT\Sources\Panther\UnattendGC
miglog.xml
Windows\Logs\Mosetup

Mh434 · 20 Jan 2018

Wow, guys, there's some pretty powerful suggestions there. Unfortunately, as I said, I'm not literate in any of this stuff, and I don't have a clue what most of it means. It's like Attic Greek to me.

Simrick - I did try running chkdsk (I've done it in the past on various computers), but for some reason it doesn't work for me. I get an instantaneous flash of a small white screen, and it's gone. I tried it several times, with the same results each time. No idea what might have been there, as it's only there for an instant.

The Microsoft techs attempted (6 times) to do a complete repair/reinstall of Windows 10 on my machine by remote access to try to fix the update errors. Despite all the many attempts, they were never successful. It always crashed during the process, saying "Installation failed in the second_boot phase with an error during BOOT operation". Error code OxC1900101-ox40017 kept appearing.

Of course, I'd lose the tech in the process, even though they said their connection would remain (it never did). Then, I'd reconnect with yet another tech, and the new one would start the whole thing all over again. They all ran numerous event logs, etc., several times during the process.

All of it was waaay beyond my understanding!

Zbooks - I tried downloading the log collector (which worked) and running it (which didn't work). When I tried to run it, it simply disappeared as though it was never there, so there was nothing for me to post (I've never used "drop box" or "one drive" - are they part of Win 10, or are they separate apps?).

Sorry for my ignorance, but I'm a simple user, with zero technical knowledge beyond using the apps I have & understand.

Funny, with Win 7, I never had a glitch I couldn't fix with a little research. Since Win 10, I'd be surprised if I've had an entire week without major crashes. I've used Microsoft live help (with remote access) probably 10 times in the past few months to try to fix issues, and I've never had complete success.

To be honest, I'm gun shy about allowing ANY Win 10 updates now. Every time it does an automatic update I'm plagued with issues (no icons, icons not clickable, task bar missing, some apps inaccessible, desktop completely re-arranged, Outlook disabled, Outlook password demanded/not accepted, and many others). Strangely, my wife's computer (same Win version, etc.) has zero issues with its updates.

I really appreciate your help, but I'm adrift in a sea of computer technological terminology that I don't understand...

zbook · 20 Jan 2018

Perform the following steps:
These are all keyboard:
1) type: windows key + x key (simultaneously)
2) type: a
3) type: alt key + y key (simultaneously)
These three steps should open administrative command prompt.

4) copy and paste these commands into administrative command prompt:
5) sfc /scannow
6) dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
7) dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
8) chkdsk /scan
9) When these have completed > right click on the top bar or title bar of the administrative command prompt box > left click on edit then select all > right click on the top bar again > left click on edit then copy > paste into the thread

10) This webpage has 2 methods to run the log collector:
BSOD - Posting Instructions - Windows 10 Forums
After the above commands have completed run each version of the log collector.
They should automatically collect logs and post a folder on the desktop.
Zip the folder and post into this thread.

11) If the above log collectors fail then copy and paste this command into administrative command prompt:

Code:

md "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles"&wmic /output:"%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\hotfix.txt" qfe list full /format:table&copy %SystemRoot%\minidump\*.dmp "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles"&type %SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\etc\hosts >> "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\hosts.txt"&systeminfo > "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\systeminfo.tmp"&findstr /v "Owner." "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\systeminfo.tmp" > "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\systeminfo.txt"&del "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\systeminfo.tmp"&driverquery /v > "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\drivers.txt"&msinfo32 /nfo "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\msinfo32.nfo"&wevtutil qe System /f:text > "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\eventlog.txt"&reg export HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\uninstall.txt"&reg export "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\installed.txt"&net start > "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\services.txt"&sc query type= driver state= all > "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\driver_status.txt"&sc query type= service state= inactive > "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\inactive_services_status.txt"&sc query type= service state= all > "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\all_services_status.txt"&REM wmic service list full /format:htable >%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\service.html&REM wmic /output:%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\CollectedFiles\nics.html nicconfig list /format:hform

Mh434 · 20 Jan 2018

I'll give that a try tonight. At the moment, it's about to do another automatic update (even though I thought I had it turned "off"), the 4th one today, so it will crash to blue screen again momentarily. I'll let you know what happens.

Mh434 · 20 Jan 2018

I was right - it crashed. It tried to do a security update, and caused the whole cycle to run again, culminating in "Restoring your computer to the previous version of Windows". I don't think I've had a successful update of any kind in several months.

I'm at work now, but I'll check again when I get home & try to follow zbook's suggestions. I expect my computer will have tried again during the day, as it's down to hourly shutdowns & re-install attempts now.

Mh434 · 20 Jan 2018

Okay, I ran that - here's the results:

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.14393]
(c) 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>ysfc /scannow
'ysfc' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.14393.0

Image Version: 10.0.14393.0

[==========================100.0%==========================] No component store corruption detected.
The operation completed successfully.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.14393.0

Image Version: 10.0.14393.0

[==========================100.0%==========================] The restore operation completed successfully.
The operation completed successfully.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>chkdsk /scan
The type of the file system is NTFS.

Stage 1: Examining basic file system structure ...
599552 file records processed.
File verification completed.
22295 large file records processed.
0 bad file records processed.

Stage 2: Examining file name linkage ...
725140 index entries processed.
Index verification completed.
0 unindexed files scanned.
0 unindexed files recovered to lost and found.

Stage 3: Examining security descriptors ...
Security descriptor verification completed.
62795 data files processed.
CHKDSK is verifying Usn Journal...
34472304 USN bytes processed.
Usn Journal verification completed.

Windows has scanned the file system and found no problems.
No further action is required.

242813588 KB total disk space.
199523252 KB in 359973 files.
256652 KB in 62796 indexes.
0 KB in bad sectors.
714744 KB in use by the system.
65536 KB occupied by the log file.
42318940 KB available on disk.

4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
60703397 total allocation units on disk.
10579735 allocation units available on disk.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>

Mh434 · 20 Jan 2018

Okay, I just ran the first log collector. and it created a .zip file on my desktop, as you suggested. Here's what it came up with:

I hope this works - I haven't worked with .zip files in decades!

I tried the beta version log collector, but couldn't get it to work - I got a small black window with red text for an instant and then it was gone.

Please let me know if this .zip attachment worked!

zbook · 21 Jan 2018

The logs displayed multiple crash dump failures.
This indicated that there were multiple crashes that have not yet been fixed.
There were multiple windows update and upgrade failures.
The current Windows version and build: Version 10.0.14393 Build 14393

The current plan is to:
1) troubleshoot BSOD (failed crash dumps)
2) troubleshoot windows upgrade failures

For all test/steps please post images into the thread.
If there are problems posting images please use one drive or drop box share links.

1) If the computer has Ccleaner > click windows tab > scroll down to system and advanced > post an image into the thread (Do not install Ccleaner if it not already installed)

2) In the left lower corner search type clean > open disk cleanup > scroll up and down > post images into the thread

3) In the left lower corner search type: system or system control > open system control panel > on the left pane click advanced system settings
> on the advanced tab under startup and recovery click settings > post an image of the startup and recovery into the thread.
> on the advanced tab under performance > click on settings > click on advanced tab > under virtual memory click on change > post an image of the virtual memory tab into the thread

4) In the left lower corner search type services > open windows error reporting service > scroll to the startup type column > right click > left click on properties > post an image into the thread

5) Download and install Whocrashed > in the left upper corner above analyze click on tools > crash dump test > type: ACCEPT
http://www.resplendence.com/whocrashed
6) Click analyze > look for dead or deaddead in the results > post the results into the thread
7) Run the DM log collector after all of the above steps and post a zip into the thread:
BSOD - Posting Instructions - Windows 10 Forums
BSOD - Posting Instructions - Windows 10 Forums

8) List all of the antivirus products that are currently in use and the products that had previously been used. Include the always on AV and the manual AV.

9) Open device manager > click view > show hidden devices > expand all rows > look for icons that display a yellow triangle with a black exclamation mark > post images into the thread.

10) These were displayed as problem devices:

Code:

Standard PS/2 Keyboard    ACPI\PNP0303\4&DC382E&0    This device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed.

Code:

Microsoft PS/2 Mouse    ACPI\PNP0F03\4&DC382E&0    This device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed.

a) Post images of each.
b) Then right click on the row > left click on properties > left click driver tab > left click driver details > post an image into the thread.
c) > left click properties > left click details tab > under properties scroll to hardware Ids > post an image into the thread

11) Open disk management > widen the status and volume columns > check to see that the contents in each row is in full view and that nothing is cut off > post an image into the thread
Disk Management - How to Post a Screenshot of General Tips Tutorials

12) Download and install Minitool partition wizard > post an image into the thread
MiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com

13) Indicate whether there is any disk encryption software in use besides Microsoft products.

14) Run HDTune: http://www.hdtune.com/
Perform 3 tests and post images for each:
1) Health (SMART)
2) Benchmark
3) Full error scan
It may take some time, but please take the time you need to perform it properly.
Take Screenshot in Windows 10 General Tips Tutorials

14) Download and install Everything: voidtools

15) Use Everything to find these folders and files. For any of the found files please use one drive or drop box to post share links into the thread.

PANTHER logs
C:\Windows\Panther
setuperr.log
setupact.log
Setupmem.dmp
setupapi.dev.log
BlueBox.log
Event logs (*.evtx)
C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources\Rollback
$Windows.~bt\Sources\Rollback\setupmem.dmp
$Windows.~bt\Sources\Rollback\setupapi\setupapi.dev.log
$Windows.~bt\Sources\Rollback*.evtx
$Windows.~BT\Sources\Panther\UnattendGC
miglog.xml
Windows\Logs\Mosetup

16) Indicate whether a metered connection has been used or is currently in use.

Code:

Event[26652]:  Log Name: System  Source: volmgr  Date: 2018-01-20T06:24:48.874  Event ID: 46  Task: N/A  Level: Error  Opcode: N/A  Keyword: Classic  User: N/A  User Name: N/A  Computer: DESKTOP-7F43MBK  Description: Crash dump initialization failed!

Code:

Event[25622]:  Log Name: System  Source: Microsoft-Windows-WindowsUpdateClient  Date: 2018-01-17T09:01:48.396  Event ID: 20  Task: Windows Update Agent  Level: Error  Opcode: Installation  Keyword: Installation,Failure  User: S-1-5-18  User Name: NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM  Computer: DESKTOP-7F43MBK  Description: Installation Failure: Windows failed to install the following update with error 0x8024200D: Feature update to Windows 10, version 1709.

Code:

Event[24208]:  Log Name: System  Source: Microsoft-Windows-WindowsUpdateClient  Date: 2018-01-03T23:37:48.552  Event ID: 20  Task: Windows Update Agent  Level: Error  Opcode: Installation  Keyword: Installation,Failure  User: S-1-5-18  User Name: NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM  Computer: DESKTOP-7F43MBK  Description: Installation Failure: Windows failed to install the following update with error 0x80070652: Feature update to Windows 10, version 1709.

Code:

Event[26737]:  Log Name: System  Source: disk  Date: 2018-01-20T20:26:15.223  Event ID: 51  Task: N/A  Level: Warning  Opcode: N/A  Keyword: Classic  User: N/A  User Name: N/A  Computer: DESKTOP-7F43MBK  Description: An error was detected on device \Device\Harddisk6\DR6 during a paging operation.Event[26738]:  Log Name: System  Source: disk  Date: 2018-01-20T20:26:26.521  Event ID: 51  Task: N/A  Level: Warning  Opcode: N/A  Keyword: Classic  User: N/A  User Name: N/A  Computer: DESKTOP-7F43MBK  Description: An error was detected on device \Device\Harddisk6\DR6 during a paging operation.