Failure configuring windows updates Reverting changes...

MissChris · 14 Nov 2017

Do not turn off your computer. I have been stuck in this loop since this past Sunday. I am running a Dell OptiPlex 745 with windows 7 pro 64bit. I had been doing some cleaning and updating of drivers and software, windows updates were not included in this, and everything was fine, until one of my programs started acting strange. I shut it down and decided to just do a restore. Everything went great until I got to the restart your computer part. When it came back up it was doing the thing about please wait while...and then jumped to the failure and reverting message. t was late so I left it be until the next m orning, when --- it is still reverting. I did some research and tried a few things, mostly with command prompt. But first I did the repair your computer thing. No joy. I tried the scan sfc only to get yet another error There is a system repair pending which requires reboot to complete. Restart windows and run sfc again. Of course I'm getting the initial msg again. It does the same in all safe modes. I did a chkdsk from the command prompt, some corrupted system files were found and repaired. No change on my initial problem. I did dism.exe to clean up image and revertpendingactions, but no image was found. I did this on both c and d drive. I tried deleting reboot.xml and pending.xml. I looked for a rebootpending in the registry-wasn't there. I tried every suggestion I found out there. No joy. I have pretty much resigned myself to re-installing my OS, unless someone knows a solution. Oh, yet another trial hit me yesterday. I need to find my ID tag, and when I tried to get back to the command prompt via F8, the option for repairing my computer, which had been getting me to the command prompt is no longer there.

So now I'm realllly stuck. The desktop all this is happening on was refurbished and the ID tag on the side of it is for the OS, which was previously installed (xp). Needless to say I don't have a recovery disk. The OS I have is genuine ms, just need to find the ID tag. Any help anyone might have for me will be greatly appreciated.

ICIT2LOL · 15 Nov 2017

Hello and welcome Chris now use this to find your code if you are going to reinstall Find Product Key in Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials I know it says the 10 forum but the Showkey will give you the code.

Then if you want to that ius you can download a fresh copy of 7 form the links in this and by the by do clean the drive with DISKPART and don't just format it Clean Install Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums there are link s to the ISO's there.

For cleaning the drive see this Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command - Windows 7 Help Forums use clean unless you want to use clean all but it takes a long time and a plain clean is ok.

MissChris · 15 Nov 2017

Thanks so much for your response and advice. Update: Right after I signed up here and made this post, a sheer miracle happened. I was about to start preparing for the re-install, when I heard a familiar sound coming from my pc. The one you get when your pc boots up and looks for the drive to boot from...it had been hours since my last attempt at trying to get somewhere with it and there had been no sound coming from it at all. I tapped the mouse and the monitor came to life. I think I went into shock when I saw my log on on the screen. I logged in and it told me that restore had completed successfully, it also told me the date it had reverted to. I had read many posts where people afflicted with this problem eventually found their systems finishing after hours, but I do believe I hold the record with 3 days +. I do believe though that I will still do a clean re-install, AFTER I get everything off that I want and need, since I really don't know what state my system is in now. Any thoughts on that?

RolandJS · 15 Nov 2017

Backing up your data folders and files -- a great idea :) In fact, do that on a routine basis, maybe bi-monthly?

MissChris · 15 Nov 2017

RolandJS said:

Backing up your data folders and files -- a great idea :) In fact, do that on a routine basis, maybe bi-monthly?

Yes, I've seen your posts (and signature) many times in the last 3+ days. The intention is always there, but the urgency only comes when disaster strikes.

ICIT2LOL · 15 Nov 2017

Thats good Chris but if you are going to do a reinstall please don't forget what I said about cleaning the drive or better still getting new one the old one can be used for a backup if you can afford another one now might be the tiem for a SSD but it's your choice of course but you wouldn't regret getting a SSD an to be honest that are not that expensive now ie a 500GB Samsung 850 EVO out here is a shade over $200 but so worth it.

You have those links for finding the key and how to clean install and you will find a fresh ISO cuts down on the number of updates nit by a lot but any has got to be worth just making yourself an ISO.

SAMSUNG 850 EVO 2.5AM - Newegg.com or

Crucial MX300 2.5 CT525MX300SSD1 - Newegg.com the Samsung preferable but the Crucial is ok (it is cheaper than the Samsung out here

)

MissChris · 17 Nov 2017

Ok, thanks again for the input, It's been very helpful, but...it's been a rough couple days and I'm still stuck-stumped to boot. Seems I'm getting a cold wet rag slapped in my face every which way I turn. I got a cd and usb (flash) ready for whatever I might need them. Did all my backups etc., followed your links. I actually also was able to get my ID tag!!! First cold wet rag came when I followed the links to ms iso downloads. Used the download tool provided etc., entered my id tag, hit verify---an error occurred try again. Tried again-same error. Now, several hours later, I tried again and got this "Error The product key you entered appears to be for software pre-installed by the device manufacturer. Please contact the device manufacturer for software recovery options." That looks to me like I can't get what I need from ms. I had another iso file, which I tried to use to burn a cd, but it also said "the selected disk image file is not valid". I'm afraid to power down this system without first being able to get some other bootable media established, who knows, it might not come up again. and ICIT2LOL, u kinda hit the nail on the head when you mentioned "budget". A new pc would be the preferred route to go all the way around, but...so, here I is, gots to try and work wif what I got.

I will keep looking for a solution, and any further input will be greatly appreciated!
Here's what dell offers: If you require a recovery image and have downgrade rights to Windows 7 professional while running a Dell computer with an Intel 6th generation processor, known as a Skylake chipset, a compatible system image is now available to download.

Also tried this:How to create and use the Dell Windows recovery image

Using the Dell OS Recovery Tool

I was required to enter the service tag, which I did. And it told me "No OS images defined for this product"

ICIT2LOL · 17 Nov 2017

Ok Chris I know it is a damn pain when you get back that message did you try the other link"" where you don't need to use he key because Showkey will show the key that was set by Dell even though they installed it via their licence to do so.
Now two options either ask Dell to what i would do first is reply in the clean install tutorial the authour Brink is a top bloke and if he doesn't know what to do then no one would give that a shot first.

You can also check that key with these

Products: Belarc Advisor

and this KeyFinder | Magical Jelly Bean

if these two show up the same key then it has to be right and I would contact Microsoft by phone to sort things out and unless you get someone who is really pedantic then they are usually obliging.

But do try Brinks tutorial first.

torchwood · 17 Nov 2017

Hi Chris,

youve got a couple problems there

Neither MS or Dell will provide you with a download

WHY

You said your comp was refurbed from XP -
therfor NO Dell service tag for W7,(to be expected)
MS dont support OEM W7 downloads.

A proper refurb would have had a W7 REFURB marked COA sticker, and the edition.
and the code would be unique

After you have pulled the product key with Belarc or showkey please google the last 3 blocks
(or post them here - see link below)
If you recieve multiple hits then its likely non-genuine
you could also run this tool copy/paste the output
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=52012

Finally if the product code is
32KD2-K9CTF-M3DJT-4J3WC-733WD
then its non genuine
Roy

ICIT2LOL · 17 Nov 2017

Tahnks Roy didn't think of that mate mind you I think it is a bit pedantic re Dell and Microsoft eh?