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Thread: Windows update causes reboot

  1. #1
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    Windows update causes reboot

    I went to the windows update site to check to see if there were any new updates, it said something about having to download a new version of the update software or something like that. It did that and completed. But now, when I try to run the update again (I get to the point where I can choose between express and custom) when I click on one of the choices the computer audibly clicks and restarts instantly. Has anyone heard of this before? I am thinking if I could just physically delete or reinstall the updater program (which I am assuming is very badly corrupted), maybe that would fix the problem? I appriciate any help you can give!

  2. #2
    Near Life Experienced TZ Veteran zipp51's Avatar
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    Just a quick investigation of the problem may be covered on this site.At least it is a starting point,and mabe it will allow your updates.http://aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.php
    The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

  3. #3
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    I checked on there, didn't find my exact issue, however I tried some of the suggestions for similar looking ones and they havn't helped yet. I tried restoring and I was able to get back into Windows updates, however since I restored it wants me to do the update to windows update again. I am almost sure this is what is causing the problem now. After I install it I can't do anymore updates because it will restart as decribed above. I also noticed when it restarts from that crash I get a message that there was a problem with a sata-raid driver, which is weird because I am not using that (although the motherboard is capable of it.) I will post the error message in full next time I get on the afflicted computer.

  4. #4
    Friendly Neighborhood Super Moderator phishhead's Avatar
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    have you went into the BIOS and just disabled the SATA interface.



  5. #5
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    I'm using a sata drive, just not any sort of raid. Windows update always brings up "optional" downloads to patch the raid drivers, but I never downloaded them because I wasn't using the raid function. It is so strange that it's the update to the windows update service that is causing the problem and not any updates themselves. I just find it really weird is causes a hard reboot instantly instead of blue-screening or giving a warning first.

  6. #6
    Bronze Member Island_Boy_77's Avatar
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    I'm having a similar prob, but with a "twist": when I click on either Express or Custom, the system just slowly grinds to a halt. For 10 secs or so, I can access the Start menu, Avast spins it's icon a few times, and the LAN icons flicker, then all is dead. Caps lock still works, so system is not completely NBG, but can't Alt-Ctrl-Del to get Task Manager. I've tried going "back" to standard Windows Update - same deal. Can get downloads thru auto update, but hardly a good look! (and what about optional stuff?). Am using AMD Dual Core 3800 X2, 1GB DDR 400 RAM, 120GB SATA II HDD and Foxconn motherboard (NF4UK8AA-8EKRS). All components either brand new or within 6 months old. Suggestions? Have already reformatted and reloaded twice today... to be sure...

  7. #7
    Bronze Member Island_Boy_77's Avatar
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    Further to my last post, I have made some headway. After a 15 minute wait on the Microsoft tech help line, and a fruitless 15 min conversation, I decided to try uninstalling everything except the system: which I did (good thing I hadn't got too far my install in the first place...). Anyway, after I uninstalled the video driver, the problem went away - isn't that interesting? I'm now going to spend time trying different versions of the nVidia drivers to see which one will work with my 6600GT card. I will post results.

    P.S. The motherboard is a Foxconn NF4UK8AA - I downloaded the nForce 6.33 drivers from the Foxconn website and used those for everything except video, in place of the 6.29 drivers that came on the motherboard install CD.

  8. #8
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    Yes, Windows Automatic Update will cause occassional restarts

    Hello bcraig,

    I had a similar problem of unscheduled bootups while I was in the middle of something. Each time I lost data. Thought I had a virus but could find nothing. Eventually I found the problem.

    Open Windows Explorer & go to the directory C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution. You will see a text file called "ReportingEvents.log". Open in Notepad. While poking through this file, I came upon a few instances of automatic restarts. To make a long story short I'll just paste the contents from mine. One of the entries is the following: "Install Restart Required: To complete the installation of the following updates, the computer will be restarted within 5 minutes: - Update for Windows XP (KB900485)" A few lines later is the following: "Install Reboot completed." The time stamps for these entries & the others correspond to when my computer restarted on its own. Either the updates are so critical that Microsoft forces a reboot OR Microsoft forces the install before you can change your mind. I have turned off Automatic Updates and the mysterious reboots have not occurred again. Just remember to get into the habit of checking for updates on a regular basis.

  9. #9
    Bronze Member Island_Boy_77's Avatar
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    Weirdness...

    Further to my previous posts, I have ended up replacing the CPU: all the problems went away permanently... even though I replaced the following compoents - HDD, Video, Motherboard and RAM - the computer was still tetchy. Changing the video card to an ATi stopped the Windows Update problem, but only changing the CPU (from X2 dual-core to a 64-bix Athlon single-core) did the trick of fixing the random restarts and lock-ups. Now, how weird is that?

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