Windows 10 Update Black Screen Failures Caused by Display Adapters?

For the below pictured 2012 ACER All-In-One, Windows 10 updates crash repeatedly with the black screen as shown. Setup automatically rolls back following a hard shut down.* Disconnecting power and waiting hours will occasionally let the setup continue, but only briefly until another black screen or a freeze at 81 percent is followed by rollback. This scenario dates back to the initial Windows 10 build through the current 10.0.16299.15 -- Fall Creators Update 1709.* Black screen and other freezes occur with the internal Windows Updater, the Media Creation Tool (MCT), or DVD-based ISO created from the MCT. Up to now I've always managed after many frustrating hours stretching to days to pull in each update.* But 1709 is proving relentlessly difficult.

In the photo above no HDD activity is indicated, only power and networking indicators. There are multiple potential causes for such a black screen during Windows Updates but Microsoft's stated leading culprit is the display adapter. The adapter can reportedly become an upgrade blocker. The recommendation is to either update the video card driver to the latest version or to uninstall the video card driver.
My question for the forum: This unit, an Aspire Z1620-UR31P, has whatever video chip integrated into either the motherboard or the CPU. Mine is Intel HD Graphics. I pressed Windows key + X > Device Manager > Display Adapters, and selected update for that adapter.* The report came back that the best driver is currently in use.* So, dare I select Disable Device or Uninstall Device, or am I seeking more trouble?* Keep in mind the freeze at 81 percent is frequent and suggests multiple issues.* In the photo below note how the circle has disappeared and all is frozen with only power light on.* (FYI I turned off WiFi in this attempt, obviously to no benefit.)

Any inputs most welcome.* Black screen troubleshooting is hell.* I will note that this Z1620 is my leisure unit.* My more capable ACER Aspire E1 (laptop) updates cleanly and smoothly for every Windows 10 update.* But I do media consulting and prefer having a Windows-based backup unit.

Much thanks, Ken. Sounds like you strongly suspect the video card. As I proceed with your suggestions I must answer your question, "If you've had repeated update problems have you considered a clean install? "

Yes. To put it mildly. The only way I've ever been able to get Windows 10 on this unit -- beginning with 1507 aka Threshold 1 -- was via clean install: First through the MCT running straight off the desktop, and later with an MCT-created bootable flash or ISO. The ISO was used for 1703 in combination with a Clean Boot and ended with a "bricked" PC. Weeks of TenForums input combined with unexplained good luck brought the unit back with 1703 running smoothly. So your referring me to Macrium Reflect is significant.

During the time with version 1607 two or three blue screens involving a USB flash drive prompted me to run Windows Memory Diagnostic tool and the tool consistently indicated a problem. I had long planned anyway to upgrade the feeble 2GB RAM to the maximum allowable 8GB, but before I got around to that came the 1703 "bricking." Curiously under 1703 the memory diagnostic finds no problem. During the bricked period I burned MemTest86+ 5.01 to a DVD but it failed to run. It was as I removed MemTest86+ and prepared to reinsert Windows recovery media that I was stunned but thankful as the screen flashed blue with a familiar MS voice saying Windows installation was being finalized -- for 1703! Go figure: following weeks of being unable to boot from anything but a recovery DVD, the PC finalized the upgrade from the HDD in conjunction with an unusable MemTest86+ DVD.

BTW, a clean install can be performed directly from the MCT residing on the desktop. I take it you do not suggest that. Also, Advanced Startup options can be accessed through various recovery steps or media -- so I further take it that it is vital to do it while in Safe Mode. (Seems like all that on-off, on-off pressing MS built in to the process would be a bit hard on the registry.) Thanks again!!

"I pressed Windows key + X > Device Manager > Display Adapters, and selected update for that adapter.* The report came back that the best driver is currently in use.* So, dare I select Disable Device or Uninstall Device, or am I seeking more trouble?*"

If you 'Uninstall device', then reboot, Windows will find the best driver which may or may not be the same. Take a note of the current driver version no. and compare. I recently did this procedure for an Audio driver and it rolled back a couple versions to a working state ever since. Seems that sometimes newer is not better. PS; I would upgrade 2gb RAM to at least 4, if not more. This is the bare minimum to run Windows 10 and may be a source of some of your issues. Good Luck

Well, MrGeek, it unfortunately brought back the very same driver version. RATS! I did not select "delete driver software," which I believe was correct.

Okay, guys. Time to try again to make MemTest86+ work. In keeping with Ken's advice on boot settings I see member NulMus saying he had to "disable Fast Boot and Secure Boot and then enable CSM." I guess the way an unusable MemTest image forced 1703 to completion will be forever a mystery.

Since I want a RAM increase anyway I could just go straight to new, larger DDR3 modules. But after two complicated threads here it would be more than nice to know if RAM's an issue.

In closing, anyone know if Microsoft pulls anything after a certain timespan in which a metered connection isn't being manually checked for updates?