Failure to update windows 8.1

[poor00paddy]

Hi, I am running windows 8.1 and every time (at least 50 attempts) I try to update it goes to about 35% before  I get the message "Failure configuring windows update, undoing changes, do not turn your computer off" This goes on for about 15 minutes before eventually going back to my desktop. I know, looking at the net I am not alone in this but some people have managed to fix this problem throught various means. I have tried a lot of them (too many to mention) I must also say that "Murphys Law" was written especially with me in mind.   

I have contacted Microsoft about this problem and the young lady suggested I do a refresh. The problem is, I made a recover flash drive but I can't remember if I made it with 8 or 8.1 so I am scared to try a refresh or a restore to factory condition in case it asks for my windows 8 restore disc (flash drive) and I have only the 8.1...or vice versa. I am also  less than 20% computer literate.

Any suggestions, except for getting the hammer out, would be most welcome....I am going bonkers !!!

Thank you,
Tom.

[Shane]

Have you done all the steps in my Windows Repair tool yet?

If you havent you should, and make sure to have the program do a registry backup before you start.

Shane

[poor00paddy]

Hi, thank you for your reply. Yes I did run your repair tool but not correctly. So I ran it again earlier.

However, it didn't solve my problem but one of the options reported...."Corrupt files, unable to fix some of them". It goes on to explain where I can find them...but I can't !

After following the instructions C:\windows\logs\CBS. I opened that file and the only things I got were:



        CBS    Text Document                         9,630                                   The access was denied on this one.
        CbsPersist _20140404104715        Cab file     1,133KB
        CbsPersist _20140404180642        Cab file     879KB
        CbsPersist _20140404210157        Test Document 16,481KB        The access was denied on this one also.
        FilterList  Text Document  1KB.

I ran "Windows Update" After running the repair tool and got the same results as before.
I hope you can help me further.

Thank you,
Tom.

[Shane]

That is what I hate about MS using the WinSxS folder, when something breaks in it the only to normally fix it is with a repair install.

Just to cover all bases did you do a chkdsk on the drive and have it look for bad sectors?

Shane

[poor00paddy]

Hi Shane, thank you for getting back to me so fast.

Re chkdsk, please explain further. Remember I am not the most literate pc used in the world.

Cheers,
Tom.

[poor00paddy]

Hi Shane.

I did, through 'search' manage to find chkds which I did manage to run with mixed and strange results.

The first one I ran through   c:/properties/tools/and check.

The result was "Windows successfully scanned the drive, no errors were found".

The next one I ran through cmd chkdsk c: / and it  gave me a choice between f and r...so I ran one after the other.  The f one ran ok but I got no report the 'r' one got stuck on 10% and I had to close it down, I tried it twice.

I decided to do something different today. I have 17 updates and 3 optional ones. So, I unchecked the 17 and selected one of the optional ones and restarted my pc. It still tried to download the 17, despite being 'unchecked' but it DID download the optional one. I tried to download just one of the 17 from the Microsoft site but it said it was not applicable to my system.

I would appreciate any other suggestions.
Thank you.
Tom.

[Shane]

Sorry, it was the weekend and I was busy with the wife and kids

A bad sector check on the hard drive will take a long time, so be prepared for that.

What you will do first is open a cmd.exe window as administrator.

Once open put in

chkdsk c: /f /r

It will come up and say the drive is in use would you like to schedule it for next boot. Hit Y and then enter.

Now reboot the system. When it boots back up it shouldnt boot into Windows and should start the chkdsk, if it doesnt try again.

Onces it starts it will take a long time because chkdsk is going to test the read and write of every sector on the drive. So the bigger the drive the longer it will take.

Shane

[poor00paddy]

Hi Shane.

Apologies not necessary, I appreciate any time and help you can spare me...sorry for being such a pest.

It's bad news on the 'chkdsk'..I done as instructed and it ran to 10% and stayed there. I tried it 3 times with the same results. Should I leave it on overnight and see if it makes any difference ?

And you thought I was kidding about "Murphys Law"   

Once again Shane, thank you for your time and expertise.

Tom.

[Shane]

Let it keep running, it will continue.

If it hasnt moved after an hour then you know it found a bad sector and it is trying to work on it.

If it does find bad sectors that would explain what started all this and you will need a new hard drive. So let that scan finish, let it run over night if needed

Shane

[poor00paddy]

Hi Shane.

Still bad news.

I let 'chkdsk' run over night and when I checked it had returned to my desktop without any info. So, I ran it again and watched and waited.


As before it 'froze' on 10% and stayed there for 2 hours before returning to the desktop.


I bought this pc in early December 2013. I done 2 'system restores' recently so there is very little on it. I saved photos ect on an external drive.

Back to you Shane.

Cheers,
Tom.

[Shane]

OK go to the event viewer and find the log from the chkdsk.

In that log it will say if it found any bad sectors.

Shane

[poor00paddy]

Hi Shane.

         I would love to view that log and post it on here....but I don't have a clue where to find it !   

I went to search/event viewer...but there is so much information in there, I have been completely baffled for the last 30 minutes.

[Shane]

This will help

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/96938-check-disk-chkdsk-read-event-viewer-log.html

Shane

[poor00paddy]

Hi again Shane.

Thank you for your patience and perseverence. It's your fault really, you should know by now not to trust me with something like that.     

I don't know how much of this you want to see but here goes.....

Log Name:      Application
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Wininit
Date:          08/04/2014 14:49:14
Event ID:      1001
Task Category: None
Level:         Information
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      Tommy
Description:


Checking file system on C:
The type of the file system is NTFS.
Volume label is Windows.

A disk check has been scheduled.
Windows will now check the disk.                         

Stage 1: Examining basic file system structure ...
  289024 file records processed.                                                       

File verification completed.
  2638 large file records processed.                                   

  0 bad file records processed.                                     


Stage 2: Examining file name linkage ...
  354960 index entries processed.                                                       

Index verification completed.
  0 unindexed files scanned.                                       

  0 unindexed files recovered.                                     


Stage 3: Examining security descriptors ...
Cleaning up 29 unused index entries from index $SII of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 29 unused index entries from index $SDH of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 29 unused security descriptors.
Security descriptor verification completed.
  32969 data files processed.                                           

CHKDSK is verifying Usn Journal...
  40237792 USN bytes processed.                                                           

Usn Journal verification completed.

Stage 4: Looking for bad clusters in user file data ...
  289008 files processed.                                                               

File data verification completed.

Stage 5: Looking for bad, free clusters ...
  227962845 free clusters processed.                                                       

Free space verification is complete.

Windows has scanned the file system and found no problems.
No further action is required.

 957025279 KB total disk space.
  44618976 KB in 197705 files.
    127720 KB in 32970 indexes.
         0 KB in bad sectors.
    427203 KB in use by the system.
     65536 KB occupied by the log file.
 911851380 KB available on disk.

      4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
 239256319 total allocation units on disk.
 227962845 allocation units available on disk.

Internal Info:
00 69 04 00 1a 85 03 00 32 cd 06 00 00 00 00 00  .i......2.......
e5 00 00 00 26 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ....&...........

Windows has finished checking your disk.
Please wait while your computer restarts.

Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Wininit" Guid="{206f6dea-d3c5-4d10-bc72-989f03c8b84b}" EventSourceName="Wininit" />
    <EventID Qualifiers="16384">1001</EventID>
    <Version>0</Version>
    <Level>4</Level>
    <Task>0</Task>
    <Opcode>0</Opcode>
    <Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2014-04-08T13:49:14.000000000Z" />
    <EventRecordID>67314</EventRecordID>
    <Correlation />
    <Execution ProcessID="0" ThreadID="0" />
    <Channel>Application</Channel>
    <Computer>Tommy</Computer>
    <Security />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data>

Checking file system on C:
The type of the file system is NTFS.
Volume label is Windows.

A disk check has been scheduled.
Windows will now check the disk.                         

Stage 1: Examining basic file system structure ...
  289024 file records processed.                                                       

File verification completed.
  2638 large file records processed.                                   

  0 bad file records processed.                                     


Stage 2: Examining file name linkage ...
  354960 index entries processed.                                                       

Index verification completed.
  0 unindexed files scanned.                                       

  0 unindexed files recovered.                                     


Stage 3: Examining security descriptors ...
Cleaning up 29 unused index entries from index $SII of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 29 unused index entries from index $SDH of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 29 unused security descriptors.
Security descriptor verification completed.
  32969 data files processed.                                           

CHKDSK is verifying Usn Journal...
  40237792 USN bytes processed.                                                           

Usn Journal verification completed.

Stage 4: Looking for bad clusters in user file data ...
  289008 files processed.                                                               

File data verification completed.

Stage 5: Looking for bad, free clusters ...
  227962845 free clusters processed.                                                       

Free space verification is complete.

Windows has scanned the file system and found no problems.
No further action is required.

 957025279 KB total disk space.
  44618976 KB in 197705 files.
    127720 KB in 32970 indexes.
         0 KB in bad sectors.
    427203 KB in use by the system.
     65536 KB occupied by the log file.
 911851380 KB available on disk.

      4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
 239256319 total allocation units on disk.
 227962845 allocation units available on disk.

Internal Info:
00 69 04 00 1a 85 03 00 32 cd 06 00 00 00 00 00  .i......2.......
e5 00 00 00 26 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ....&amp;...........

Windows has finished checking your disk.
Please wait while your computer restarts.
</Data>
  </EventData>
</Event>

This was under 'details'

Checking file system on C: The type of the file system is NTFS. Volume label is Windows. A disk check has been scheduled. Windows will now check the disk. Stage 1: Examining basic file system structure ... 289024 file records processed. File verification completed. 2638 large file records processed. 0 bad file records processed. Stage 2: Examining file name linkage ... 354960 index entries processed. Index verification completed. 0 unindexed files scanned. 0 unindexed files recovered. Stage 3: Examining security descriptors ... Cleaning up 29 unused index entries from index $SII of file 0x9. Cleaning up 29 unused index entries from index $SDH of file 0x9. Cleaning up 29 unused security descriptors. Security descriptor verification completed. 32969 data files processed. CHKDSK is verifying Usn Journal... 40237792 USN bytes processed. Usn Journal verification completed. Stage 4: Looking for bad clusters in user file data ... 289008 files processed. File data verification completed. Stage 5: Looking for bad, free clusters ... 227962845 free clusters processed. Free space verification is complete. Windows has scanned the file system and found no problems. No further action is required. 957025279 KB total disk space. 44618976 KB in 197705 files. 127720 KB in 32970 indexes. 0 KB in bad sectors. 427203 KB in use by the system. 65536 KB occupied by the log file. 911851380 KB available on disk. 4096 bytes in each allocation unit. 239256319 total allocation units on disk. 227962845 allocation units available on disk. Internal Info: 00 69 04 00 1a 85 03 00 32 cd 06 00 00 00 00 00 .i......2....... e5 00 00 00 26 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ....&........... Windows has finished checking your disk. Please wait while your computer restarts.

Cheers,
Shane.

[Shane]

Ok good, looks like chkdsk cleaned up a few things but it shows "0 KB in bad sectors."

So no bad sectors on the drive.

The only way to repair the winsxs folder is going to be a repair install.

Now refresh my memory, was the Windows updates failing on ALL updates or just certain ones?

Shane

[poor00paddy]

Hi Shane, it took me a while to get back to you, I'll explain a little later.

In answer to your question. I started out with 17 updates and 3 optional. I tried different combinations, two's and three's and sometimes 10's. But all failed.

I tried some number with one optional update and it failed except for the optional one....that downloaded.

Ok, the reason for the delay....a little while ago I went back into control panel/check for updates....and this only you may be able to explain.

There were only 6 updates and the 2 optional ones there  !!!!

So I tried to download them. 5 were ticked so I done them first...and it said there were downloaded, but they were not in my download history.

I closed control panel and went back in again...and there 2 important updates there. One,  KB2934802 downloaded the other failed...so I closed control panel etc...

Went back in and downloaded KB2934802 and it worked...again and showed in my download history. I done it about 4 times and it showed in download history, but everytime I went back to control panel...KB2934802 was back again.

I also have to say, I tried to download some of the original updates one at a time but microsoft said they were applicable to my system.

Once again, Shane, thank you for you patience.
Tom.

[Shane]

OK good, so all updates installed except the one.

So that is progress

What was the error number it gave when it failed?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2934802

That update is just for adobe flash player in internet explorer. If you dont use IE you can just skip that update.

Shane

[poor00paddy]

Hi Shane.

Things are the same as last I reported. Still just the two updates available (I am glad to say)

According to update history, KB2934802 has been downloaded successfully 8 times...but when I open control panel/updates it's available again.

The other update, KB2919355 fails each time. The error code is 80070BC9.

I don't have a clue what happened to the other available updates, but they are not in my update history.

Cheers Shane.
Tom.

[Shane]

OK for that one looks like you should check or try to install the updates that are needed before it. I just got this update today and it was a BIG one. 800mb+. Why the crap is MS making such huge updates lol

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2919355
Which looks like you can download the update itself from here, which is worth a try to install it manually
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2939087

Known issue
If you receive error 0x80071a91 when you install update 2919355, install update 2939087. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
2939087 Error 0x80071a91 when installing update 2919355 in Windows
To fix an issue with the Internet Explorer Enterprise Mode feature which occurs after the update is installed, visit the following Microsoft website:
2956283 Internet Explorer 11 crashes when you turn on or turn off the Enterprise Mode feature
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2956283

Prerequisites
To apply this update, you must be running Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, or Windows RT 8.1. Additionally, you must have the following update installed:
2919442 A servicing stack update is available for Windows RT 8.1, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2: March 2014
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2919442

Shane

[poor00paddy]

Hi again Shane.

About KB291355, the download centre says that KB2919442 must be installed before.

But it won't let me download it. It says it's a standalone and is not applicable to my pc.

[Shane]

Go ahead and skip that and see how it goes when you try to install that big update manually.

Shane

[poor00paddy]

Hi Shane.

I fear I am going mad...the unfortunate thing is, I am scared I'll take you with me.

I tried KB2919442 again and it said it was already installed. So I tried KB2939087 and it installed..i rebooted, first time I saw 100% in ages.

When I opened control panel/updates again...there were 4 new updates there, including the 'big' one...however, when I opened it again there were gone except for the 'big' one and the 'adobe flash' which says it installes but keeps re-appearing.

I tried to download the four individually but they refused.

Let me check something with you please ? I need to see that I am doing this right.

When the download window opens is says "What should Firefox do with this file" "Open with" is dotted and "Windows update standalone installer (default)" Is that ok ?

I checked my 'installed updates' and everything was ok up to the 31/3/, I don't know what happened after that...I don't think Microsoft do either. People all over the net have the same problems but some have managed to solve them by doing some of the things we have done.

Once again Shane, thank you for your help, appreciated.
Tom.

[Shane]

When you download the file with firefox choose save the file instead of run it. That way you can go back to it if it fails and not have to keep downloading it again.

Also now that we have some updates installed and all that it is possible the update catalog in Windows isnt synced right. So run my repair tool again but only run the repair windows updates.

That repair will wipe the update catalog and when you check for updates after, it will take longer than normal, but windows rebuilds the update catalog and lets see how it goes then.

Shane

[poor00paddy]

Hi Shane.

I hope you are enjoying your weekend with your family.

As per your instructions, I ran your repair tool and you were right....again.

I opened control panel and windows update immediately after. There were 4 updates there including KB2919355, the big one. That was the only one that was 'unchecked' so I left it that way and tried the other 3.....they downloaded immediately without any problem.
I then tried to download the big one...but failed...."Failure configuring etc"       

I tried to do it manually and microsoft gave me a list that had to be done in order, the big one was second on that list. KB2919442 was next on the list and I tried to download it, it said it was already installed. I opened one of the pages with the big one on it...sort of scary. What do you make of it ?      http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/search/search?SearchTerm=KB2919355&x=0&y=0&CurrentScope.ForumName=Windows&CurrentScope.Filter=windows8_1-windows_update&ContentTypeScope=

When I tried to download the big one through the control panel...I got the error code 8024a000. According to microsoft it doesn't exist.

Thank you Shane.
Cheers,
Tom

[Shane]

Post a screen shot of the error itself so I can see it

Shane