Win10 Update Problems

bubba6532 · 15 Oct 2017

Machine is an Asus ROG GL552vw that came with Win 10 Home. I've had it about 1 1/2 years. Every significant Win 10 update has broken something on the machine, usually its ability to shut down or sleep/hibernate properly. This appears to be related to Microsoft updating certain drivers, usually the IMEI drivers to newer versions. In the past I've been able to fix the problems by putting an older driver back in place. One of the earlier updates broke the Windows store, and I have never gotten it to work, despite trying every fix I've been able to read about.

The problem I'm posting about has to do with the latest Creators Update. Several weeks ago the machine started whining that it needed some new security updates, but couldn't install them on the present version of windows (1503, I think -- it's an older one anyway, due to the machine previously having update problems). It has now downloaded the CU about 3 times over the last couple of weeks. I'm running it right now (ver 1703, build 15063.674). Each time it updates to this version of CU, everything appears to be working okay, and I'd actually like to keep this version. HOWEVER, as with most previous updates, the machine won't fully shut down without a forced power off via the power button. Whenever I later re-start the machine, it immediately starts "restoring the previous version of Windows", without asking, and without giving me any options to do otherwise. The IMEI driver fix that has worked in the past doesn't seem to fix this problem.

Any suggestions as to what I can do to stop it from restoring the previous version of Windows?

dalchina · 15 Oct 2017

Hi, I would suggest you have two possibilities:
1. Fix the Anniversary build so that it can upgrade properly
or
2. Clean install the Creator's Build and see if that works

I would let it revert to the Anniversary build, try turning off fast startup. Then run some basic checks.

Run Minitool Partition Wizard, expand columns as necessary to make sure text is visible and post a screenshot of that.To post a screenshot please use the Insert Image icon above your post to the left of the video icon. Thanks.

a. First check your disk:
Download and run Hard Disk Sentinel (trial) and make sure all disks are reported as good.
If not, do not continue, and post back .

b. Now check your file system:

From an admin command or powershell prompt
[Windows key + X, click command prompt (admin)]
chkdsk C: /F
Your PC will need to restart.
Post back the result, which you can get after a restart as follows:
Read Chkdsk Log in Event Viewer in Windows 10 Performance Maintenance Tutorials
or
How to read Event Viewer log for Chkdsk in Windows 10 [Tip] | Reviews, news, tips, and tricks | dotTechdotTech
or
How do I see the results of a CHKDSK that ran on boot? - Ask Leo!
Make sure the result is clear or fixed- else do not proceed.

c. If ok, then from an admin command prompt, run
SFC /SCANNOW and report the result.

If you have reached this point we will know if your disk, file system and system files are sound, and whether your partition layout looks good and unlikely to cause problems when trying to upgrade.

Then we'll take it from there.

Meanwhile I also suggest you download the Creator's Upgrade iso, in preparation for a controlled manual upgrade.

There's little point considering your request to try to prevent it restoring the previous version as there's evidently an underlying problem.

bubba6532 · 15 Oct 2017

Here's the Minitool output. The machine initially had just the HDD, but while still fairly new, I added the SSD and transferred the system and assorted partitions over using Macrium Reflect. I don't remember there being all those small partitions on the SSD, however.

Here's the screen from the Hard Disk sentinel:

Here's the the screenshot from the chkdsk log. While it was running, it said it was repairing some things (didn't say what), and still finished pretty quickly.

And here's a screenshot from SFC /scannow. I suspect my problem with the anniversary edition is reflected here. I don't know how to read that log. Also, I don't have installation media. The computer came with the OS installed (unless what I need is in that recovery partition.

bubba6532 · 15 Oct 2017

BTW, where can I find the Creators Update ISO? I REALLY don't want to have to do a full install. I have a lot of software on the machine that will be difficult if not impossible to replace.

bubba6532 · 15 Oct 2017

Never mind about the ISO. Found it. Should have tried google before asking. I have uploaded the CBS log file to a cloud server. If you'll send me an e-mail I'll forward the link to you. You can view it or download it from there.

dalchina · 16 Oct 2017

Hi, Your disks appear physically ok + file system.

Disk 2 appears to be your boot disk: UEFI boot.

Before proceeding with steps that affect your disk content I strongly recommend you create a disk image to an external disk using e.g. Macrium Reflect (free). We constantly urge people to use disk imaging routinely as you can image the whole of Windows and any other disks and partitions and thus restore your system and data to a prior working state quickly and without technical help even if your disk fails and you need a new one.

Partition/disk related issues:
a. Disk 1 includes system partitions which need to be deleted- with due caution.
System, 16 Mb, Recovery

I suggest the most pragmatic approach to that is to disconnect or remove Disk 1, check your PC boots ok, and also check you can restart to Safe Mode (checks the Recovery partition is ok.

If that's ok, then you can delete the unwanted partitions on disk 1.

b. Turning to your incredible array of recovery partitions on disk 2.
First you need to identify the one in use.
Admin command prompt:
reagentc /info
Note the volume of the partition number for the RE location.

You should now be able to see which one is the one you want to keep.

Diskpart
Select Disk 2
List Partition
Use
Delete Partition n
to delete the recovery partitions you don't need.

Check with Minitool Partition Wizard that you have a clean looking set of Windows partitions.

Now check your PC reboots ok, and again check it boots to Safe Mode.

You can post a download link to your log file here.

I REALLY don't want to have to do a full install. I have a lot of software on the machine that will be difficult if not impossible to replace.

A common plea. To have a chance of avoiding a clean install you need to at least
a. Use disk imaging routinely
b. Monitor the health of your disk
c. Be aware of ways of moving all installed programs to a new Windows installation should that be necessary.
(A good way is to use a disk image + a Laplink or possibly Easeus product - $10s for a one time license- huge time saver).

Fixing your installation
Before upgrading it's likely you need to fix your installation (clear SFC /SCANNOW result).
See
Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums
#2 where you will find a very handy utility to support the use of DISM commands.

If DISM is unable to fix your system, then an in-place upgrade repair install- using an Anniversary ISO- would be necessary.

Upgrading
When you come to this, have only your system disk connected.
Create or update your disk image before starting.

Disconnect any unnecessary peripherals; use a wired mouse or touchpad, disable or uninstall any AV.

bubba6532 · 16 Oct 2017

The link for the log file is:
https://app.box.com/s/pbu1300h0zxw7exo711cc9fi45dtaehf

After I had transferred the OS to the SSD, the system booted fine without the HDD attached. Haven't checked it since the SSD addition, but will check it again (gonna take me awhile). At the time of the SSD addition, I removed a couple of the partitions from the HDD. I do remember leaving the recovery partition on the HDD (as well as transferring it to the SSD) "just in case". Didn't remember leaving the OS partition on the HDD, but it's been a long time and I probably have defective memory.

I'm not sure the anniversary update is going to fix this thing. I do know that it did the Anniversary Update, but I'm now wondering if it restored a previous version without me noticing. Here's what winver gives me after it was allowed to restore the previous version of windows after the Creator's Update:

dalchina · 16 Oct 2017

Hi, you are on the build before the Anniversary update (1511).

I'm not sure the anniversary update is going to fix this thing.

That's not quite how to look at it.

1. Your system at present isn't in a fit state to upgrade successfully. I would guess you have so many recovery partitions because eac one represents a failed upgrade attempt - which Windows has failed to clean up after itself.

2. Therefore you need to work carefully through the steps I gave you to try to get it to the point where it will upgrade.

3. On the other hand, it is true that some minor problems can be fixed by upgrading. For example, I had a minor problem with Spotlight (no preview) with the Anniversary build- upgrading fixed that.

Upgrading replaces all your system files, and rewrites some registry entries, and gives you a new set of drivers.
This may, for some, introduce new problems.

I can only make out that SFC /SCANNOW has failed, which we know.

============================================
So, your task is to work through what I posted- in order. Please feel free to ask questions at each stage and post the result.

bubba6532 · 16 Oct 2017

Before I'm able to go much further, I am going to create a disk image. Even though this version of Windows has some problems and is unable to update, it IS working so far as I can tell, other than the Windows store being broken. When you live in the boonies as I do, obtaining an external drive for imaging is a mail-order endeavor. Nearest decent computer stores are over 200 miles away. I'll post back after getting the disk image made and resuming with the above instructions, but it will be a few days. Thank you very much for what you have done so far.

dalchina · 17 Oct 2017

Wise choice. Suggest pragmatically go for a disk of at least 2x the amount of used data you're going to image- allow for all disks / partitions, noting jpgs and videos etc don't compress. (Images are compressed, but a. data grows, b. image sets are a base image + a set of differential (smaller ) image files.