auto update failed, system not bootable

After getting "New Updates Available..." messages for several days, I tried
to install a couple of updates with the auto update feature under Start->Help
and support.

I took the "Defaults" options and two updates were scheduled for install.
The second was a .net framework update.

The update ran for a few minutes, then put up an alert box about a
failure... after that the system was completely wedged. At first
Taskmanager came up in response to ctrl-alt-del, but eventually the system
wouldn't respond to anything at all for several minutes. I hit the reset
switch, and tried to reboot. Ther first attempt crashed, and subsequent
attempts went in to the boot selection screen that gives me various options
including safe mode. None of the boot modes, includeing Normal, Last known
good, or any of the safe mode variations will come up. Normal and last know
get to the first Windows XP screen, then flash a blue screen too quickly to
read and go back to a boot sequence. Safe mode doesn't show a blue screen,
but just goes back to a reboot.

The system was set up to dual boot and I can get Win98 up on another disk,
and I found the Windows Update log, but it's not meaningful to me.

I tried M/S support email, but since I can't get the system up I don't know
how to get the ID code. The key from the installation disk doesn't work-
wrong format.

1. Any suggestions to get my existing xp installaiton to boot ?
2. How can I get an ID that will allow me to submit a question to microsoft ?
3. Should I ever trust Windows Update again ?

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;315341


-You cannot start Windows XP in Safe Mode.
-The problem is caused by a recently installed Microsoft software update,
and you cannot solve the problem in any other way.

I tried to do the upgrade with the XP CD, but it wouldn't recognize my 25
digit code. That's the one on Works Suite box, right? (Certificate of
Authenticity)?

"jim riverman" wrote:

> How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;315341
>
>
> -You cannot start Windows XP in Safe Mode.
> -The problem is caused by a recently installed Microsoft software update,
> and you cannot solve the problem in any other way.
>
>
>

After contacting M/S by phone, I booted off the installation cd, went to
recovery console, and and ran "chkdsk /r". This fixed the problem and XP
booted successfully.

I couldn't post by email because I couldn't boot xp to get the installation
ID, but the phone contact accepted my installation key, and processed a
"free" call because the problem occured during windows update.

I'm very curious whether a "scandisk" against the drive that XP was
installed on while booted in to Win98 would have solved the problem... but
several experts advised me not to try it. In any event, the "chkdsk /r" in
the recovery console solved the problem for me.

"Dave Cunningham" wrote:

> After getting "New Updates Available..." messages for several days, I tried
> to install a couple of updates with the auto update feature under Start->Help
> and support.
>
> I took the "Defaults" options and two updates were scheduled for install.
> The second was a .net framework update.
>
> The update ran for a few minutes, then put up an alert box about a
> failure... after that the system was completely wedged. At first
> Taskmanager came up in response to ctrl-alt-del, but eventually the system
> wouldn't respond to anything at all for several minutes. I hit the reset
> switch, and tried to reboot. Ther first attempt crashed, and subsequent
> attempts went in to the boot selection screen that gives me various options
> including safe mode. None of the boot modes, includeing Normal, Last known
> good, or any of the safe mode variations will come up. Normal and last know
> get to the first Windows XP screen, then flash a blue screen too quickly to
> read and go back to a boot sequence. Safe mode doesn't show a blue screen,
> but just goes back to a reboot.
>
> The system was set up to dual boot and I can get Win98 up on another disk,
> and I found the Windows Update log, but it's not meaningful to me.
>
> I tried M/S support email, but since I can't get the system up I don't know
> how to get the ID code. The key from the installation disk doesn't work-
> wrong format.
>
> 1. Any suggestions to get my existing xp installaiton to boot ?
> 2. How can I get an ID that will allow me to submit a question to microsoft ?
> 3. Should I ever trust Windows Update again ?

Hi Johnj, not the Works Suite box for the WinXP CD key code


If Windows XP is still installed on the computer:

Try: Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder v1.41
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
or
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm
Near the bottom "View Product Key XP"
This will enable you to view the Product Key of the Windows installation which is
currently on your computer.

If you purchased WinXP retail, the Product Key is on an orange label on the back of
the package. If you don’t have the package, contact Microsoft:
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;q295539
How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default...B;en-us;326246

If you have an OEM version of WinXP, the Product Key sticker should have been placed
on the computer tower by the retailer. Note, Microsoft will be unable to assist you
with an OEM version.



"johnj" <> wrote in message
newsC0AD5F1-2400-48EA-8DD8-...
>I tried to do the upgrade with the XP CD, but it wouldn't recognize my 25
> digit code. That's the one on Works Suite box, right? (Certificate of
> Authenticity)?
>
> "jim riverman" wrote:
>
>> How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;315341
>>
>>
>> -You cannot start Windows XP in Safe Mode.
>> -The problem is caused by a recently installed Microsoft software update,
>> and you cannot solve the problem in any other way.
>>
>>
>>