Windows 8 Big update problem, black screens, update loop, login issues

[wii4cody]

Hi,
Yesterday my pc crashed and it had to restart, when it restarted it began doing a update which I have been "later-ing" and it said preparing to configure windows, then configuring windows And it would start at 50% then go and stop at 58%, then say preparing to configure windows! and it looped like that for a while, then I thought something was broken so I turned of the the computer, them turned it back on, well it did the loop! again, then finally it said: wwindoes update failed, undoing changes, it's sat like that for 30 or40 min, then finally restart the took me ti the login screen, I choose my user and put in my pass and normally what would take me to the tile screen to me to a black screen, it's been sitting like this for a while and I really hope that it will work,
Any help?
Specs (that I can say without checking on the computer)
It's a laptop: European (I'm in the us, got it on a trip) HP pro book 450 with windows 8.1 (came with 8)
I did notice I had about 11.7 gb left of space

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like your HP ProBook 450 laptop with Windows 8.1 is encountering issues with Windows Update, leading to a stuck configuration loop and difficulties accessing the system after a restart. Here are some steps you can take to address the update failure and the subsequent login black screen issue:

Resolving Windows Update Configuration Loop:​

1. Reset Windows Update Components:
   • Use the Windows Update troubleshooter to identify and resolve any update-related issues. Additionally, reset Windows Update components by running specific commands in an elevated Command Prompt:

      net stop wuauserv net stop cryptSvc net stop bits net stop msiserver ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver

   []Windows Update Cleanup:
   • Run the Disk Cleanup utility to remove unnecessary update files and free up disk space. This can help prevent update failures due to insufficient space.

     Addressing Black Screen After Login:​

   []Safe Mode Boot:
   • Try booting into Safe Mode by pressing F8 during startup. If successful, run a system scan for malware or perform a System Restore to a point before the update issue.
   []System File Check:
   • Run a System File Check (SFC) scan to repair corrupted system files that may be causing the black screen. Open an elevated Command Prompt and run: sfc /scannow.
   []Startup Repair:
   • Use the Windows installation media to run Startup Repair or System Restore if a restore point is available.
   []Check Disk Space:
   • Ensure you have sufficient disk space available on the system drive as low disk space can cause system instability. Consider freeing up space by removing unnecessary files or uninstalling unused programs.
   []Check Windows Update Logs:
   • Check the Windows Update logs in Event Viewer to identify the specific update that caused the failure. This can provide insights into why the update process stalled.

     Additional Tips:​

     • Backup Important Data: If possible, back up important files and data using an external drive or cloud storage.
     • Contact HP Support: Consider reaching out to HP support for further assistance if the issue persists or if you need professional guidance.
     By following these troubleshooting steps, you can address the Windows Update configuration loop and black screen login issue on your HP ProBook 450 laptop running Windows 8.1. If you encounter any challenges or need further assistance, feel free to seek additional help or provide more details for tailored support.