Windows 7 refuses to start after Windows Update

AstralWolf · 04 Jul 2015

Hi there Seven Forums!

Let me get started. I have a Windows 7 Home Basic 64 bit PC dual-booting with Linux Mint 17.1. So, I haven't had any internet access for a few weeks, so I decided to update my Windows PC. After checking with Windows Update, there weren't any updates shown, instead a Windows 10 banner appeared. So I clicked show all available updates.

There were 5 Optional Updates, which I decided to install. Here they are:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3040272 (KB3040272)
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3048761 (KB3048761)
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3050265 (KB3050265)
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3064209 (KB3064209)
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3065979 (KB3065979)

After that, I left my PC to shutdown. The next day when I booted up my PC, whenever I selected to boot Windows in the GRUB2 Loader, the Starting Windows Screen would appear and my PC would reset again. By reset I mean go back to the ASUS starting screen as if I turned it off. Trying a couple more times, it said Windows failed to start normally and suggested me to use Startup Recovery. Startup Recovery resolved the situation due to the automatic System Restore created before installing said updates to my PC.

1. Am I supposed to NOT install the optional updates in the future? Why did it cause said system instability?

2. Which update was the one that screwed my PC? Was it KB3064209 ( June 2015 Intel Microcode Update for Windows)

This question was also reposted here:
Windows 7 refuses to start after Windows Update. - Microsoft Community

GokAy · 04 Jul 2015

You have to install one by one, restarting after each.

Try going into Safe Mode to uninstall the update, instead of a System Restore.

gregrocker · 04 Jul 2015

Installing all Updates should not cause problems except in rare cases. It's more likely a problem with the GRUB loader. The best way is described here to Dual boot Ubuntu-Win7.

Please post back a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image.
We will help you reassert the Win7 boot manager and add Ubuntu as descibed so that it doesn't interfere.

AstralWolf · 04 Jul 2015

I seriously doubt that Linux is causing the problem here... I've had it for a few months now. On another note, when I set my PC to sleep yesterday in did a mid-shutdown in between. When I woke up, there were options to start Windows in Safe Mode or start it normally because it did not shut down properly. The system restore did screw up my Avira Antivirus a bit, but I fixed that. My system seems to be a little bit unstable than usual... I will run Prime 95 for a few results and get back with you guys.

AstralWolf · 04 Jul 2015

Eek! My computer doesn't even wake after sleep mode now! There's that chime when I hit the keyboard but the monitor still stays off! I've tried to turn off the monitor and back on again, but that doesn't seem to do anything...sigh

EDIT: Not sure what fixed it , but probably this:
"
The problem lies with how Microsoft have set the default state of Windows 7, no doubt influenced by the irrational and brain-dead 'green' lobby. The following solution solved the problem for me. I'll describe it at a very basic level to suit the less computer proficient - something Microsoft can never be bothered to do.
Go to Start. In the search box type "Device Manager" (without the quotes) - and then press Enter; this will open up the Device Manager. Double click on 'Universal Serial Bus controllers.' Now you will see a list of 'USB Root Hub'. Right-click the top one of these and select 'Properties'. Click on the Power Management tab, un-tick where it says 'Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power' and click 'OK'. Now repeat this action on the other 'USB Root Hub' items in the list. when they are all done you can close the Device Manager, and your USB mouse and keyboard will now be able to re-awake your computer.

It is ridiculous when, in an age where USB keyboard and mouse is replacing PS/2 devices, that Microsoft have added this feature, and even worse that they have caused USB to switch off at all. All this does is inconvenience everyone. Microsoft really need to provide an update to remove the option of allowing the USB connection to die during sleep. "

GokAy · 04 Jul 2015

Try un-plug monitor from power and re-plug after a minute.

Or switch cable to on-board GPU if you have one.