Windows update keeps making my computer die

[Lukeee]

That annoying windows update thing keeps telling me I have 14 important updates and 1 other update. I install them all (I always do) because I don't know what I need and what I don't. It says most of them are for stuff I don't use or 'security updates' but one of them is killing my computer.

I installed them all when I woke up today and when I restarted my computer the screen just stayed black. I turned it on and off and again and then it said I had to run some start up thing (forgot the name) but to fix it that thing restored the computer. I think windows update made a restore point because it only restored it by like 5 minutes or something so I am happy about that.

Later on I tried it again and the same thing happened. After the update the computer doesn't work until I restore it. So I am guessing it is those updates that fuck up my computer.

What should I do?? I have turned off the thing that bugs you about updates until I find out how to fix this. Are those updates even important? They never seem to do anything for me. Maybe I should just leave them off forever?

 

[trinket]

What OS version are you on, anyway? That's the most improtant piece of information you're missing. Vista? 7? XP?

You can try booting into Safe Mode and see if it allows you to proceed from there. Also, check for logging messages that can help you diagnose what's going on (the event viewer). You can see what might've failed; maybe there's a conflict with one of your drivers (video, sound, etc.), maybe there's a service that didn't load properly, etc.

You can try selecting specific updates one-by-one to isolate the problem or get an overview of what updates failed and succeeded as they might help you out. I recommend you do the Windows Update through Internet Explorer's "Tools" then "Windows Update" menu option rather than the tray application. There you can see your history and see what failed or, as I mentioned, tag individual ones until you isolate what may be happening; or, take ones that seem less pertinent to you or less serious, or shuffle the order and reboot inbetween, etc. Also see if Windows Update suggestions you update vendor drivers (again, like for your video card); that may help.

 

[Paws]

Keep it set to "inform you in the systray, but only install them at your command". If you check them yourself, you'll forget doing it after some time.

Then do the one by one thing.

 

[Lukeee]

I am using Vista. I'll have a go with some of the things you suggested.

 

[GamerBear]

Upgrade to Win 7 - it's free I believe...

Seriously? Why hasn't Microsoft informed me of Windows 7 being free?

I think I had this system update a couple of days ago. I updated and it took two minutes for it to finally reach the start up screen and log in to my desktop. There were quite a few updates and I installed all of them including the Office 2007 updates. The more updates the longer it makes your computer start up.

 

[trinket]

Seriously? Why hasn't Microsoft informed me of Windows 7 being free?

I would take cgymike with a grain of salt; he has a bit of a history in Tech Talk. In some circumstances, Windows 7 is free if a manufacturer promised it with a pre-built system that had Vista, and Windows 7 was just around the corner, so they wanted to entice users to be able to trade up to it. See here. But see here for instance. You can probably find an OEM version (even if you buy screws or some small hardware piece from a vendor) that's heavily discounted compared to the retail box.

 

[jayxx2]

i had the same problem with vista. solved it by manually installing all of the useless updates 1 at a time only. had to go into windows update screen and uncheck them all except 1. then install it. then reboot. then go back and do it again.
when they all try at the same time something fucks up.

 

[Stardreamer]

Yes you probably will have to pay for it but most systems that run Vista should be able to upgrade to Windows 7 with little problems and run better.