After SP1 update - black screen with mouse cursor

[Louiscar]

[SOLVED] After SP1 update - black screen with mouse cursor

As per title - I decided to update my Win 7 ultimate to SP1 which installed ok but I ended up with a black screen with working mouse cursor and a message box showing something like - "configuring user settings".

This stayed like this for a long time and in the meantime I used CTRL_ALT_DEL to try to run Firefox to get on to the net. Firefox failed to open which appeared to indicate something network related.

I finally shutdown via the taskmanager and booted to Safe mode - with networking. Trying to open a browser resulted in a painful wait which I gave up on. It appeared that it couldn't download anything.

I then did a system restore and got back to full working system. My Windows 7 has been extremely stable and I've no problems. I did a virus check and loaded the update readiness tool but haven't tried SP1 again.

I decided to search around but really this kind of issue seems like it could be caused by a lot of things and I've no clear answer to what is my specific issue. Given the problems with networking issues (eg. some people had suggested they unplugged the LAN cable as their Qnap nas was the problem - beats me but I have a Qnap), maybe it is this.

I doubt it's graphics although originally I suspected it but I do have the latest drivers installed and now I'm back after system restore this is stable as ever.

I'm really searching for either:

1) the best (quickest) way to troubleshoot this problem
or
2) a way to update to SP1 bit by bit - if that's possible. I might be able to find the module responsible then.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Till then I'll stick with my non-SP1 stable system

 

[Layback Bear]

Why would you install Windows 7 without SP-1?
Where did you get your copy of Windows 7 Ultimate?
With SP-1 installed you will still have over 200 more updates.

 

[Louiscar]

Why would you install Windows 7 without SP-1?
Where did you get your copy of Windows 7 Ultimate?
With SP-1 installed you will still have over 200 more updates.

1) Didn't realise I hadn't installed it. It was installed back in 2010 and obviously I never got around to it. I never ever allow automatic updates.
2) It's a developers copy (and genuine in case you're wondering)

 

[Layback Bear]

If your copy is from MSDN I would suggest checking with Microsoft. I believe they have changed some of the rules about using MSDN products.

 

[Louiscar]

Sorry but I don't see how this is relevant to my question

 

[Louiscar]

Marking this as solved as I've sorted the problem

 

[UsernameIssues]

Glad that you got it sorted.

From the "for what it is worth" department:
Windows Update offered me SP1 yesterday...
...on a computer that already had SP1 installed.

 

[Layback Bear]

What I meant was simple.
Because you have a 6 year old MSDN product that you haven't used in a long time the rules about how it can be use in 2016 might of changed and causing you your problem.
In 2015 Microsoft changed a lot of rules about the use of MSDN.

Could you tell us how you solved your problem. It may help others.

 

[Louiscar]

What I meant was simple.
Because you have a 6 year old MSDN product that you haven't used in a long time the rules about how it can be use in 2016 might of changed and causing you your problem.
In 2015 Microsoft changed a lot of rules about the use of MSDN.

Firstly, it is not an accurate statement to say I haven't used the product in a long time - I used it every single day since installing it. Secondly this is Windows 7 Ultimate and in relation to the problem I was seeking help on, has no bearing on whether it's a development copy, retail or OEM. Nor does it matter what rules MSDN have placed on the use of this - it's a permanent valid and legal copy and I have every right to use it and update it if I want. Plus it is marked as genuine by MS so what was your point in even mentioning this in relation to the problem I was having?

No way would MS stop or try to stop anyone from updating to SP1 it would be counter productive, completely illogical and frankly illegal to interfere with a paid up volume license. And when faced with a technical issue that (google will tell you) countless people experienced for hundreds of obscure and different reasons, that kind of answer simply bowls me over.

I failed to see how your answers were in anyway helpful to my plight. eg. " Why would you install Windows 7 without SP-1?". Why ask that question when I am posting about installing SP1 and having problems? The reason 'Why I didn't install it' is totally irrelevent.

So sorry if I sound a bit miffed or a bit harsh, but I really don't understand why people answer posts with a question of "why do you want to do that", "why [insert your statement here]" etc etc. It's simply not helpful and if you don't know the answer then it is really best not to reply at all.

Could you tell us how you solved your problem. It may help others.

I didn't post the solution because there was seemingly no interest - maybe everyone has moved to Windows 8, 10 or has installed SP1 a long time ago like I should have.
Anyway ..

I went with my original gut feeling of a network related problem. But in case I installed KB947821 - update readiness tool.

As I had attempted to install before I found the updater refused to update so I started to shutdown some processes in order to delete the folders created and came across a problem with shutting down the cryptographic service which had a dependency on my Zonealarm firewall.

This confirmed my suspicion about the network problem so I disabled zonealarm completely and turned on Windows firewall and updated to SP1 without issues.

After that I enabled Zonealarm and everything is good.

 

[Layback Bear]

I have no idea what you are getting all huffy puffy about.

I thought you might of got caught in one of the Microsoft rules and didn't know it.
Because you installed it back in 2010. It was just a suggestion on my part to take a look and see if Microsoft still was on your side. If one forget to install SP-1 for 6 years their is a possibility one might forget the rules. That is all I wanted to bring to your attentions.

The good new is we now know Zone Alarm was your problem.
That will surly help somebody.
If your system activated with no problem then that is a good indication Microsoft is happy.

Happy computing.

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[Louiscar]

I have no idea what you are getting all huffy puffy about.

Stressful time I guess trying to find answers to a very annoying problem. Sorry for going OTT but I just needed a reply to address the actual problem. I also recognise fully that you meant well and for that I thank you.

I thought you might of got caught in one of the Microsoft rules and didn't know it.

The indication if it was ever their intention to decide you cannot use their software would be that it would or should warn you. But I was allowed to install SP1 which simply failed to complete.

The good new is we now know Zone Alarm was your problem.
That will surly help somebody.

Yes it is also another solution that I've not found elsewhere although some indication point to such things as security software and Antivirus so in a way it's similar. The clue here is that on the black screen there is a box open (which never closes) indicating " setting up your personalized settings" or something close to that effect. It's a clue to the fact that it's nothing like graphic drivers as if it could complete that stage it will then go on to display the desktop. So it's basically stuck at that point.

This problem doesn't just happen with SP1 it seems like it can occur after a hotfix or single update.

If your system activated with no problem then that is a good indication Microsoft is happy.

I also still have my development copy of Windows XP on an ancient machine which still gets on the net from time to time. I've never had problems and even phoned MS once when I had an activation glitch and they sorted it immediately.