Solved Unable to shutdown after updates

[burli]

Hi, at the weekend I had 26 windows updates to apply, they did not install correctly and the computer would not shutdown. After many hours of waiting I forced a shutdown by holding the power off button. I restarted in safe mode and shut down correctly. I had problems restarting so I had a tip about deleting the contents of folder c:\windows\softwaredistribution\downloads after taking a copy of them. I also turned windows update to Never download updates. The machine then appears to start and shutdown ok but at times seems to run slower. I tried a restore to an earlier date but that didn't change anything, and I even re loaded a system image backup that I had taken a few days earlier, interestingly it did not put anything in the windows\softwaredistribution\download folder. I have followed the thread on this forum for update problems which first of all advised me to run the System Update readiness tool, and this installed Hotfix KB947821 ok.
I also ran sfc scan ok. I did another shutdown/restart ok, and then went to the windows update panel and ran Download updates, 28 updates were downloaded, so I unmarked all and then just marked one to install, but as soon as I clicked install it returned to the install button button within 2 seconds. I decided to shutdown and restart, but as soon as I clicked on shutdown the shutdown button disappears and the desktop just sits there with no system activity taking place. I am then also unable to start any other programme, so it looks like I am going to do another forced shutdown. Any ideas on what might be happening and how I can get out of it please.

 

[archer]

Hi burli, Welcome to Sevenforums.

If you do not face the issue in safe mode, then put your computer in clean boot and check for the issue. Follow this.

Clean boot tutorial


Perform a system restore to a point prior to the issue and check if that fixes the issue.

System restore

 

[burli]

Hello Archer, thank you for your reply, but before I had seen it I force closed the machine and restarted in safe mode, closed and re started normally Then I checked for updates again and there were 28 updates waiting. I selected just one (KB915597) and installed it ok, then I selected KB2847311 and that one also installed correctly including the restart. I then shutdown and restarted again and all appeared to be ok until I tried to do
something and realised that the system busy symbol (O rotating with arrows) was turning all the time if I put the cursor in the bottom task bar.
I then read your update and am proceeding with the test, but I have one query as I seem to be getting variable results, do I need to start each msconfig test from a boot in safe mode ? ie force a shutdown and reboot in safe mode

 

[archer]

Are you not able to boot normally now? Cause if you are, then you do not need to do that.

 

[burli]

Sorry it has taken quite a time to go through all the services and the startup and I am wondering if all these startup and shutdowns may have fixed the problem. After I had finished the msconfig process I have started to re-install some of the 28 updates that I had waiting, so far I have installed 17 of the updates in small groups and everything appears to be working correctly again. I will let you know later when they are all installed. Thank you for your help with this. One other question, I notice during the startup that I get a message on my desk top for a few seconds, that says "You have to run Wizard before using full functionality of this application" but it doesn't say what it refers to. Any ideas ?

 

[burli]

Hello Archer, just to say a big thank you to you, everything seems to be working ok now and all updates are installed
regards

 

[archer]

Glad your issue is resolved now...