Updating to Windows 8.1 Update fails with 0x80240031

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timmmay

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#1069721 20-Jun-2014 08:42

There are instructions at various places on the net on how to download the upgrade ISO. It's a bit of a hack but give that a go. I was hoping to find it on a torrent site (note: downloading an update is/should be a legal use of a torrent) but couldn't spot it when I did a quick search.

Oblivian

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#1069737 20-Jun-2014 09:16

CYaBro: Did anyone ever come up with a solution to this problem?

We've had a heap of machines in the workshop in the last few weeks that all refuse to complete the download of Windows 8.1 in the store.
All showing the exact same error and all failing at the same point of 50% during the download, the same as the OP.

Most of these machines have been brand new out of the box, including Sony, Acer, Lenovo & Toshiba.
A mixture of laptops, desktops and all-in-ones and all different specs so don't appear to have anything in common other than none of them will get Windows 8.1 from the store.

We've tried everything we've been able to find online on this problem but nothing has worked.
This includes making sure no AV software installed, netsh command lines, taking ownership of a certain folder under the ProgramData tree, clean booting Windows, and lots of other things that I can't remember right now.
Luckily we have nice fast fibre connection so having to start the download again every time to test hasn't taken too long each time, but with all the machines we've had we've probably tried to install Windows 8.1 at least 40-50 times in the last few weeks!

One machine we did have the problem on got left running on the bench for a few hours without anyone touching it and it started the updated itself and it worked! However we've tried this again and none of the other machines have done this. :(

What the heck is going on Microsoft???

We've had to resort to wiping the brand new machines and loading Windows 8.1 from scratch but this is a lot of extra work that shouldn't be necessary.

Have heard of a few lenovo devices doing this also, including the odd windows tablet around the workshop

Most the guys found they need to ignore the windows update for a bit and ensure they patch not only the current OS updates on but also the latest device drivers and support software updates for the OEM bloat to get it going?!?!?!

Madness. Unless it does some sort of a probe before install for compatibility and finds half the preloaded ones are not signed so spits an error or similar.

TwoSeven

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#1071231 20-Jun-2014 18:41

I suspect that the resolution is to give Microsoft Tech support a call and report the issue. It would be nice to have some MS folks keeping an eye on this thread and helping to resolve the issue, as it seems it is an ongoing one.

Software Engineer
(the practice of real science, engineering and management)

MadEngineer

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#1071256 20-Jun-2014 19:04

... Who will download the 8.1 ISO and install fresh. Just do it yourself.

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

zebis

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#1071258 20-Jun-2014 19:06

Oddly the user called me a few days ago in my case and its just fixed itself. No idea how but it just magically was ready to begin with 8.1 one morning about a week after I tried to update it.

So it updated itself, after 3-4 attempts.

I haven't seen the machine yet but I may look at the event logs.

DjShadow

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#1071293 20-Jun-2014 20:52

I tried using Microsoft Support where you chat to someone, wanted $99 from me to fix it
no thanks....

MadEngineer

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#1071503 21-Jun-2014 10:42

Sounds like you got duped. They do not charge for windows update issues. This is an upgrade but will be covered. You have to accept that there may be a charge as part of their script but accepting this doesn't mean you're obliged to pay as they will confirm should they need paid support. See my post on the previous page - perhaps they found a virus on your pc?

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

DjShadow

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#1071845 21-Jun-2014 18:50

I didn't give them the chance to look.

I got there in the end and upgraded to Windows 8.1, this process worked for me:

1. Open Command Prompt with Admin rights
2. run: SFC /scannow
3. run: Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
4. run wsreset
5. Go into the Windows Store and select the Windows 8.1 upgrade

JayADee

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#1081473 5-Jul-2014 14:57

Looks like the end might be in sight for this problem...http://m.winsupersite.com/windows-8/microsoft-works-get-windows-8rt-users-updated-81

Edit: from a friend of mine's newsletter:

You can update to Windows 8.1 now with new fixed program
Back on April 8th, 2014, Microsoft released Windows 8.1 to the public for
free download as an upgrade to Windows 8. A number of users were unable to
grab the update at that time - and since - because of a problem which locked
them in an update failed cycle. Microsoft's newest solution to this comes in
a Windows 8 and Windows RT Pilot Program.
http://www.slashgear.com/update-to-windows-8-1-now-with-new-fixed-program-02336217/
an alternate article on the same subject
http://www.myce.com/news/microsoft-still-trying-to-get-users-updated-to-8-1-72152/

Koatanga

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#1096608 27-Jul-2014 14:11

I have the same exact issue. Here is my experience to date:

Went to the Microsoft Support site and opted for online support. Got a tech who ran some diagnostics, including the wsreset, sfc/scannow, and DISM, and even had me re-install my Windows 8 from scratch and try the download with a different Microsoft account.

Did that, no luck. Assigned me a ticket to escalate the problem to Tier 2.

Here's where things got interesting.

Tier 2 tech missed the first 7 callback appointments over 3 days which had me waiting a total of 14 hours for someone to contact me about the issue.

I called the Microsoft help line and was eventually passed to someone who claimed to be the supervisor of Tier 2 support, by the name of Jan-Michael Nubla who told me that all Tier 2 support agents had gone home for the day and there was no one who could help me. I later learned this was a complete lie - Tier 2 techs are on staff 24 hours a day.

So if you have this problem, prepare to waste a ton of time, be lied to about callbacks and even direct lies to you face, and still I have no resolution to the problem.

Microsoft gets a massive "F" for support on this.

I'll update if and when I have any resolution on this issue.

The machine being updated is a bog-standard HP Compaq 8710p laptop with 64-bit Windows 8 Pro. It is a clean install, not an upgrade of the prior Windows 7 operating system.

MadEngineer

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#1096636 27-Jul-2014 15:23

Koatanga: I have the same exact issue. Here is my experience to date:

Went to the Microsoft Support site and opted for online support. Got a tech who ran some diagnostics, including the wsreset, sfc/scannow, and DISM, and even had me re-install my Windows 8 from scratch [snip]

Microsoft gets a massive "F" for support on this. I'll update if and when I have any resolution on this issue. The machine being updated is a bog-standard HP Compaq 8710p laptop with 64-bit Windows 8 Pro. It is a clean install, not an upgrade of the prior Windows 7 operating system.

can you clarify this? they had you re-install windows 8 and not 8.1?

dude, install from an 8.1 iso as per my posts above

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

Koatanga

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#1096643 27-Jul-2014 15:38

That requires a product key for 8.1, which I don't have.

And yes, they had me reinstall 8, apply all the updates, then go to the windows store and try again. Failed again.

CYaBro

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#1096797 27-Jul-2014 22:08

Koatanga: That requires a product key for 8.1, which I don't have.
And yes, they had me reinstall 8, apply all the updates, then go to the windows store and try again. Failed again.

Use one of these generic windows 8.1 keys during the install:

- Windows 8.1: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
- Windows 8.1 Pro: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

Then once 8.1 is installed activate it with your own key.

Koatanga

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#1096800 27-Jul-2014 22:48

I managed to talk to a tech finally. He downloaded the 8.1 install files and did a fresh install, so pretty much exactly what you said. I did find that afterward I could not activate it with my own key because my key is a Windows 8 key, not an 8.1 key. However, I was able to activate it through the phone activation process once I talked to a rep.

So after 2 days of trying to work it out myself, one day of a Microsoft service agent diagnosing, and 3 days of waiting for a Tier 2 support agent, the problem is finally resolved.

MadEngineer

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#1096801 27-Jul-2014 22:52

he has pro

http://blogs.technet.com/b/canitpro/archive/2014/04/08/step-by-step-completing-a-clean-windows-8-1-install-with-a-windows-8-key.aspx

edit ... i see you've now resolved it. gw

Koatanga: I managed to talk to a tech finally. He downloaded the 8.1 install files and did a fresh install, so pretty much exactly what you said. I did find that afterward I could not activate it with my own key because my key is a Windows 8 key, not an 8.1 key. However, I was able to activate it through the phone activation process once I talked to a rep. So after 2 days of trying to work it out myself, one day of a Microsoft service agent diagnosing, and 3 days of waiting for a Tier 2 support agent, the problem is finally resolved.

... should'a just read these past few pages :p

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

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