Help! Windows 8 update screwed up my laptop

Forums › Microsoft Windows › Help! Windows 8 update screwed up my laptop

StephieC

32 posts

Geek

#173212 15-May-2015 07:57

Hi,

I just auto-updated my Windows 8 as I was switching it off.
When I switched it back on, I am stuck on "Getting Windows ready, Don't turn off your computer"

I tried switching it off and back on but I'm getting stuck in the same place.

I haven't backed up any of my data recently (of course!).
Help me please! :(

Steph

Jase2985

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#1305566 15-May-2015 08:07

system restore?

shouldnt effect any of your files but will remove any programes installed between the last restore point and doing the restore

I always create a restore point prior to doing an update as when i first got the laptop it did it 3-4 times with windows updates and removing bloat ware.

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StephieC

32 posts

Geek

#1305572 15-May-2015 08:28

Good tip, but now I'm stuck on a "please wait" message instead! I'd tried to reach my laptop's system restore function.

I also tried disabling secure boot, many variations of switching off/on/unplugging/battery removal, all to no avail.

My laptop is some sort of Dell.

timmmay

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#1305574 15-May-2015 08:33

Boot from a rescue / windows disk into system restore. You'll have to Google for how.

Jase2985

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#1305577 15-May-2015 08:39

my laptop has a windows "disc" partition which has the OS install disc on it and i can boot into that if needed, and allows me to repair OS restore or any other kinda function like that.

StephieC

32 posts

Geek

#1305580 15-May-2015 08:51

I am running a system restore. It's currently backing up my data (hopefully I can get all my work files and the consortium of random but important files I saved on my desktop.

Silly computer is being silly.

Jase2985

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#1305590 15-May-2015 09:14

system restore, restores system files and shouldnt touch any of your documents

StephieC

32 posts

Geek

#1305591 15-May-2015 09:14

Here's a fun story.

I am trying to back up my files, but it didn't list the folders on my desktop (where I keep administrative and work-related files), so I clicked on the option to see more lists of data I could preserved. Now I'm stuck on "Please wait while Dell Backup and Recovery lists the files you could preserve..."

Tip: Don't allow auto-update on Windows machines. In fact, just give up on Technology altogether. Let's just move into the rural outback and raise poultry.

StephieC

32 posts

Geek

#1305594 15-May-2015 09:18

The system restore troubleshoot didn't find anything wrong and the next step was to restore factory defaults. Dell said I need to back up my files.

Apologies for double posts and typos/autocorrect, I have been downgraded to my relatively smart phone.

Jase2985

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#1305606 15-May-2015 09:35

its not a windows "system restore" then if its asking questions like that.

StephieC

32 posts

Geek

#1305632 15-May-2015 10:11

Yes, sorry, I should have mentioned. I saw a forum post swearing by the dell recovery system an so far it's the only thing that's worked.

It's going to be an all-night process; my data is being backed up. Now I play waiting game.

freitasm

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#1305676 15-May-2015 10:46

Just a heads up, the "Updating your PC" message can take some time depending on the number of updates. Unless it takes more than 15 minutes on a modern PC I wouldn't worry - the slowness could be caused by lots of things, but if it's really slow then I would consider checking if the PC storage is not dying...

StephieC

32 posts

Geek

#1305683 15-May-2015 10:51

I waited 1+ hour, this time, as I know what it can be like.
Laptop is <1 year old.

Silly Windows.

cyberhub

224 posts

Master Geek

#1305691 15-May-2015 10:55

+1 for system restore. Then use Dropbox for databack up or use another backup system to protect your data, there are plenty to choose from.

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xpd

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#1305760 15-May-2015 12:59

Just came across this in another forum, people complaining of similar situation as you over last few days...... sounds like too late for you but prob handy to know going forward.

"Had the same thing recently happen to a couple of our machines. The thing is - it only looks stuck. Pressing ctrl+alt+del brings you to the login screen right away."

Most people in the forum gave feedback saying it worked.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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StephieC

32 posts

Geek

#1306144 15-May-2015 21:25

Good tip, dude, I'll have to try that next time (I assume there will be a next time)!

To be honest my system needed a good clean up as the only reason it needed updating was because I had just conducted a disk-clean and delete loads of bloat-ware. It was lagging pretty significantly.

All good now! Thanks for the help everyone! :)