Windows Update KB2639308 causes infinite startup loop

[HORNO]

Hello! First post! I read many, many posts at Sevenforums over the last couple days to help remedy this problem. I'll start from the beginning of my problems even though some have been solved. Maybe it will help others.

On March 13, the "tuesday windows update packet" started updating my system automatically. It auto downloaded the updates (which I didn't realize it was even updating) It seemed to be hanging on the shut down screen. I came into the room about 2 hours later and Windows was still shutting down (actually it was on the blue screen that says, shutting down) Not knowing that the computer updating, I shut the computer off by hitting the power button because I thought it was weird it didn't shut down 2 hours earlier. I have read other posts where people also experienced this same scenario... the update seemed to freeze the computer at shutdown.

The next day I tried to boot up... and the computer would not boot to the desktop, even in Safe Mode. I tried to do a system restore, system repair, etc. to dates before March 13... even Feb. 28th... but system restore did not work. I found that I was in a Startup infinite loop which I read about here on Sevenforums.

I posted in a couple forums around the internet and got some good suggestions... which actually remedied part of the problem.

After 5 hours of trying various entries into the command prompt... I found this one that worked.:

dism.exe /image:<drive letter>:\ /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=<drive letter>:\ /offwindir=<drive letter>:\Windows

BUT... my problems aren't totally clear yet:

I was able to load back into the desktop with almost everything functioning properly. Once the computer loaded back up to the desktop... I checked windows update and 5 of the updates failed. So, I started to update them one by one, which they did successfully... except one. The last update on the list, which is a Windows 7 x64 critical update KB2639308... still isn't updating properly and... it causes the infinite startup loop if I try to update. I read on Microsoft Answers that several others were having the same exact problem as me... the first time they downloaded the update, it froze their computers at the shutdown screen for hours and hours, they turned off their computers and got stuck in the infinite startup loop.

So, I guess I won't be applying this update ever, unless it's included in a future service pack release or something.

Also, when it goes into the infinite loop, and I run Startup Repair, the diagnostic passes all tests except it does say this:

Startup repair Diagnosis and repair details:

Boot critical file h:\windows\system32\ntoskrl.exe is corrupt.

Repair action: File repair
Result: Failed. Error code = 0xa
Time taken – 1763ms

I'm not sure if that file is actually corrupt or if this windows update is what is causing the corruption. I have no idea.

Here is the update I'm having issues with:

KB2639308

An update is available for the ASLR feature in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2

Anyways, if you have any other suggestions I may be able to try to get that update working... that would be great. I won't be able to get to any fixes until tonight (Los Angeles Pacific Time, but any suggestions would be massively appreciated.

I read something here on Sevenforums about a Windows Update Readiness tool... I'm going to try that first. Any other suggestions?



Also... I am sort of an intermediate with computers so the more details you can provide for me the better. Basically... please talk me through the steps.

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

Best,
Shaun

 

[seavixen32]

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums Shaun.

Have a look at this tutorial, which explains how to repair an infinite loop scenario.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139576-startup-repair-infinite-loop-recovery.html

With startup repair, it may be necessary to run it three times with a reboot between each occurrence.

You might also want to run the System Updates Readiness Tool (SURT). The link is for the 64-bit version as your specs point out that you are using 64-bit software.

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=20858

 

[HORNO]

Thanks seavixen32! I will give both of those a shot tonight.

 

[HORNO]

Actually... is there one that I should do first or does it not matter? Thanks!

 

[seavixen32]

It doesn't matter although using the System Updates Readiness Tool is the quicker of the two.

 

[JMH]

On March 13, the "tuesday windows update packet" started updating my system automatically. It auto downloaded the updates (which I didn't realize it was even updating) It seemed to be hanging on the shut down screen. I came into the room about 2 hours later and Windows was still shutting down (actually it was on the blue screen that says, shutting down) Not knowing that the computer updating, I shut the computer off by hitting the power button because I thought it was weird it didn't shut down 2 hours earlier. I have read other posts where people also experienced this same scenario... the update seemed to freeze the computer at shutdown.

* To prevent this happening in the future I suggest you have your computer set to inform you, but not download or install any updates offered.
You then will be aware of what & when something is being downloaded
Would also recommend you do a few at a time rather than oodles at once.

Reminder....
Make sure you have a current System Restore Point created PRIOR to down loading any updates... just in case of problems.


* Have you a Back Up prior to this problem?

* Re the infinite start up loop.
If all else fails

Get Help Now

Contact a support professional by E-mail, Online, or Phone

 

[HORNO]

Well, I tried the 2 above suggestions and I am now worse off than before. Now I am permanently stuck in the infinite restart loop and this doesn't get me out of it anymore:

dism.exe /image:<drive letter>:\ /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=<drive letter>:\ /offwindir=<drive letter>:\Windows

Startup infinite repair recovery did not work and neither did the SURT file. Any more suggestions?

 

[seavixen32]

Try a system restore to a time before the problem occurred then run SURT again and change your settings to manual updating.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/57746-system-restore-general-troubleshooting-fix-issues.html

If that doesn't do the job you could try a repair install and if that doesn't work there's always the nuclear option of a clean reinstall.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html