Windows Update causes desktop to go blank while updating

[Matthiasa4]

Hello,

I got some serious problems. About one week ago I accidentally cut off power of my pc while he was updating. When rebooting I got nothing but a blank desktop image, unable to give any input (mouse, keyboard, control + shift + delete). Control + shift + delete made the screen go black, so I assume this was my computer "loggng off" (enter caused the blank desktop screen to appear again).

Normally I fix my computer problems myself, so I started to reboot in safe mode. This worked without flaws, I could start the system repair and startup repair. This however, made no changes (still got the blank desktop screen on booting windows in normal mode).

Then I decided to reinstall Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit entirely (on my ssd). There where a few problems (original installation cd wasn't recognized), but in the end (with someone elses cd), I got it running. I decided to start installing my motherboarddrivers (LAN, onboard VGA, ...). All went well. Then I installed the VGA drivers of my dedicated nVidia GTX 570, and there it went wrong; upon restart: same blank desktop. This time I had some input: I could right click on desktop, make new folders, go into configuration manager. But no cmd, no task manager, no msconfig, ...

So, I thought: my VGA card broke down; and I tried another one (nVidia 9800GTX). Same problems.
Fresh installation, now on a conventional 750GB HDD. Again: all went well, even installing the VGA drivers (note: I didn't install the mobo drivers by then). So I though: it's my ssd that broke down. Then I tried to install Windows 7 on my SSD again; runned like a charm. I first installed my nVidia drivers, then my mobo drivers and we're back at the blank desktop again.

So: my last option was: clean install; VGA drivers, and only LAN-drivers (not internal VGA drivers for my mobo). This went well. So I thought it was all settled. I started doing Windows Update, and this is where it went wrong again: during Windows Update, my desktop went blank again (in the background). Now I really don't know what to do further. One of the error codes I got was: 80246005. I tried the catroot2 fix when I was still able to use CMD next time I installed Windows, but upon doing the updates, I got the blank screen again.

Another note: upon booting, I am unable to go into safe mode: when using the arrow keys, nothing happens for some seconds, then suddenly, it jumps a few places (the amount of times I used the arrow keys), but then the counter is gone and enter doesn’t work.

To summarize:
- Windows Update doing really weird
- Driver conflict?

- I don't think my graphical card/hard disk broke down (maybe motherboard issues?)


I hope someone can help me on this, I'm trying to fix this for a week already, and I'm really getting frustrated about it...

Thanks in advance and best regards,
Matthias


Update 1: Sometimes, when trying to reinstall Windows, I get a 0x80300024 error code, even though I just formatted and removed the hard drive. I think formatting with Ubuntu solves this problem.

 

[seavixen32]

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

Please check this Microsoft Fix-it.

Fix the problem with Microsoft Windows Update that is not working

As for the other error code you mention (0x80300024), have you been dual-booting with Linux?

If so, you need to rebuild the Windows 7 master boot record.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/20864-mbr-restore-windows-7-master-boot-record.html

 

[Matthiasa4]

Yup, I used Ubuntu when Windows didn't start anymore. Thanks, I'll try those 2 solutions. After that I'll try to do the updates one by one to see which one causes the trouble.

Update: Microsoft Fix-it didn't find any problems. Most of my updates are 'failed'.

 

[karlsnooks]

Matthiasa,

I want you to make a 100% clean install, including using DiskPart to "clean" the disk.

After the "clean install", do NOT install any software that is not from Microsoft. But rather, do a 100% update using the procedure that I'm going to give your.

After the full and complete update, and BEFORE installing software and drivers that are NOT from Microsoft, make a system image backup to an external USB drive.

So summarizing:
1. Prepare the hard disk using diskpart
2. clean install Win 7
3. 100% update Win 7
4. make a system image backup.

Details:
How to prepare a hard disk:
Prepare hard disk for use

Boot from either a system repair disc or from a Win 7 DVD.
Go to a command prompt and carry out following:

type DISKPART and hit ENTER
the prompt will change to DISKPART>


Enter following commands:
LIST DISK
this will list the disks

SELECT DISK 1
to select Disk 1 (if that's the disk you want)
DETAIL DISK
to make sure that you've got the correct disk
CLEAN ALL
this will write zeroes to each and every byte on the selected disk
this can take some time and there will be no progress indication
you must simply wait for the diskpart prompt to appear again
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
this will create the entire disk as a single primary partition
FORMAT FS=NTFS
this is going to format the entire disk and will also take some time
ACTIVE
this will let the disk be used as a system disk if you ever decide that you would like to install an operating system on the disk
ASSIGN
the next available drive letter is assigned to the disk
EXIT
exit from DiskPart
EXIT
exit from the command shell

================================================================

Oh yes, here's how to get to a command prompt using your Win 7 DVD.
1. At the very first dialog (think it says something about language), use SHIFT + F10 key combo
2. go ahead and prepare the disk
3. carry on with the install.

=========================================
=========================================
Please follow this next procedure fully and completely, even if you consider that all of the steps are not needed.

UPDATING YOUR WIN 7
ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE ALL UPDATES
WIN | type WINDOWS UPDATE | ENTER |
Change settings (left-hand column) |
checkmark all four of the boxes | OK button

Approve any dialog boxes presented. Let Windows install any update features.

WIN is the key with the Microsoft flag on top.

INSTALL CRITICAL UPDATES
Check for Updates (left-hand column)
Install ALL critical updates.
Restart your computer (even if not prompted)

Repeat this procedure until there are no more critical updates.

DO NOT TRUST the “Windows is up to date” in center of dialog. until you see that TWICE IN A ROW!

INSTALL IMPORTANT UPDATES
Use the “critical update” procedure until all important updates are installed.

INSTALL OPTIONAL UPDATES
Use the “critical update” procedure until all optional updates are installed.

Under Optional updates you will be presented with a list of about 34 language updates.
You can hide those updates so that aren't continually notified of those updates. When you click on 34 optional updates are available, then you
a) highlight all of the language updates,
b) right-click anywhere in the highlighted list.
c) click on Hide Updates,
d) OK button.


UPDATE GOLDEN RULES
Install ALL, yes, ALL updates.
This is Win 7 and not Vista or XP (eXPired).

UPDATE IS HUNG –TAKING FOREVER
Hung is very doubtful unless you interrupted updates.

CTRL + SHIFT + ESC key combo will pop-up the Task Manager.
Lo and behold, Windows Update is still running!

You hold down the CTRL and SHIFT keys.
While holding them down, tap the ESC key once.

 

[karlsnooks]

oh yes,
making a system image backup:
Win | type BACKUP AND RESTORE | ENTER |
left-hand side, click on System Image |
follow the prompts from Win 7.

WIN=key with microsoft flag on top

 

[Matthiasa4]

Ok, I reinstalled my Windows this way and did all the updates EXCEPT the Intel HD3000, as I forgot to turn it off last time I did the updates. I think this caused the error (because I the desktop thing too when I installed both my onboard gpu drivers and nvidia drivers). What could be the cause?

Anyway, system is up and running now, all updates installed, thanks a bunch guys!!

 

[seavixen32]

You're very welcome and thanks for the update.

In the absence of any other clues I can only assume that Windows was switching between your on board graphics and your graphics card.

Problems can also occur if you install drivers in the wrong order. Whenever I carry out a clean install, I always install drivers in this order:

1. Chipset
2. Graphics
3. Network
4. Audio
5. Modem (if you have one)
6. Wireless Network
7. Keyboard and Mouse
8. Bluetooth
9. Wireless Mobile Broadband
10. Smartcard

 

[Matthiasa4]

I think I switched Graphics and network, would be weird if that was the problem. Anyway, if it keeps running like this, I'm a happy man again! Thanks again!

 

[seavixen32]

You're very welcome and thanks for the update.