Windows 7 update causing network connection problems

Question

PROBLEM SOLVED (see below)

It all started 2 days ago, without any program or voluntary change made on the computer (Windows hidden updates excluded). All of a sudden my laptop would take between 45minutes and 1 hour (!) to fully boot, because it is hanging over the network connections. While it is doing that, many programs wouldn't start, including a lot of internal Windows software like Device Manager and so on. Once the computer is finally connected, everything works fine and quick as usual, although some times one between the wireless connection and the LAN would not be available. After trying many things, I realized that Windows did two critical updates. Astonishingly, the only cure for my computer is now to restore Windows to a point prior to the updates. Problem solved? No, because if I don't prevent Windows from automatically updating the problem comes back full power. Otherwise the machine is working well again without updates (average full booting time is 20s). Does Microsoft plan to solve this bug?

Little update:

I did not solve the problem, but it represented itself several times. No worries (or yes?), the restore does still prevent it. But the settings that prevent Windows to perform automatic updates are kind of bad, as Windows DOES UPDATE also if I set it as to "download automatically but ask me to install". So I had already twice the computer stalling again on network connections, and later (after the hour to resume) found out that although widows update history doesn't show any Windows update installed the same day, the system restore has a new restore point dated right after the system restore, so that the next time I would switch on the computer I'll have to wait my good hour for using it. I don't like to criticize Windows, but this kind of pissed me off. Now the settings are on "ask me to download and to install", and the update it has been installed anyway (I don't get it, why bothering asking what I want if then it all happens differently?).

I am forced to switch to hibernation instead of switching off the machine, as like this I will save 2 or 3 hours of my working day.

For the records, the updates that are apparently waiting to be installed on my PC are:

Important

Service Pack 2 for Microsoft Office 2010 (KB2687455) 32-bit Edition

Optional

Intel - Other hardware - Intel(R) Management Engine Interface

Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2574819)

Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2592687)

Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2709981)

The important one should be the one that gets installed, but in the system restore point list it says "Windows update - Critical Update"

Few more technical details

My laptop:

Samsung NP900X3C

Intel Core i7-3517U CPU@1.90GHz-2.40GHz

RAM 4.00GB, SSD 256GB

Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit

Tried but failed procedures:

• Change the network (home or at work is the same, wireless or cable LAN too)
• Change the IP address for LAN
• Update drivers for network card (Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller)
• Disable possible disturbing Startup services (there were no new services)
• Boot in Safe mode with networking (also like this there is the very same problem)
• Scan for viruses (Microsoft Essential could not find any threat)
• Scan for malware (Malwarebytes anti-malware software detects 18 threats, but after their removal Windows would not boot at all. On top without removing them my computer is running and happy now without the updates)
• Restore to a point prior the updates and then allow the Windows critical updates to be installed ("Pasteur" prove of cause-effect)

 Look which services are running on Startup to find the one on which Windows is hanging (doesn't work since the computer is stalling and the services list cannot be accessed)

• Clean up the registry (Eusing Free Registry Cleaner detects some errors, but this does not solve the problem)
• Check up in task manager if there is a program taking all the computing power (no programs running, and if I play too much with task manager it would freeze. By the way the CPU usage is at 0-5% and the memory usage is around 600MB)
• Update all the possible drivers available at Samsung website
• Stop the antivirus (Microsoft Essentials does not actually manage to start the Real-Time protection before the networks are on. And without the updates there is absolutely no problem with it)

PROBLEM SOLVED!

Here how it did work for me, although I'm not sure all these steps are required (and I don't have time to investigate):

1. Restore the computer to a point just after the problem occurred (I couldn't go earlier)
2. Uninstall Cisco Anywhere Connect
3. Hide the optional updates (KB2574819, KB2592687, KB2709981 and the Intel driver update)
4. Install the Office 2010 SP2 update
5. Reboot the computer (wait the usual 45min-1hour)
6. Install the Microsoft Security Essential last update from MSE (159.663.0) directly from MSE (not from Microsoft Update, again no idea if this does help)
7. Reboot the computer again... done! Reboot in 20 seconds
8. Now reinstall Cisco Anywhere Connect (I need it for work)
9. Check rebooting... 20 seconds!

Answer 1

PROBLEM SOLVED!

Here how it did work for me, although I'm not sure all these steps are required (and I don't have time to investigate):

1. Restore the computer to a point just after the problem occurred (I couldn't go earlier)
2. Uninstall Cisco Anywhere Connect
3. Hide the optional updates (KB2574819, KB2592687, KB2709981 and the Intel driver update)
4. Install the Office 2010 SP2 update
5. Reboot the computer (wait the usual 45min-1hour)
6. Install the Microsoft Security Essential last update from MSE (159.663.0) directly from MSE (not from Microsoft Update, again no idea if this does help)
7. Reboot the computer again... done! Reboot in 20 seconds
8. Now reinstall Cisco Anywhere Connect (I need it for work)
9. Check rebooting... 20 seconds!

Unfortunately PA Bear is no longer monitoring this thread, because I would have liked to write him two lines on his/her astonishingly provocative behavior (what for?). However I don't like to make people losing their time, so I will just ignore this.

Thanks anyone for helping out with this problem, and I hope this helps others too.

Best,

Fabio.

Answer 2

No need for all the information requested. Here is the real root of the problem (no pun intended). Following the advice in this article worked for me:

http://jameswatt.me/2013/08/18/microsoft-update-kb2859537-prevents-pc-from-booting-if-rootkit-is-present/

Answer 3

I have been having the same problem with my laptop stalling at network connections during start up, and the issue started on the same day as above.  Also I have noticed a minor little program that runs on an old version of  python has stopped working since then as well

Answer 4

@Fabio only =>

Assuming Win7 (64-bit) SP1, please answer each of the following [admittedly tedious] diagnostic questions in a correspondingly-numbered list in your very next reply - preferably without quoting my post:

1a. When (approx. date) did you purchase the computer?

1b. Did Win7 (64-bit) come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it, did you do a clean install of Win7, or did you upgrade from Vista to Win7?

2a. Was Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) originally offered & installed via Windows Update or did you intentionally choose to install it?

2b. In Windows Explorer [WinKey+E], navigate to & right-click on

   • **C:\Program Files**Microsoft Security Client <=this folder

Select Properties: What is the Created date displayed on the resulting General tab?

2c. What ANTIMALWARE CLIENT version is currently installed? To find out, open MSE & click on the downward-pointing arrow to the right of HELP then select ABOUT SECURITY ESSENTIALS.

3. What anti-virus application was installed before you installed MSE, was your subscription still current, and did you uninstall it before you installed MSE?

4a. Has a(nother) Norton application or a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer?

4b. Did a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trial [PICK ONE] come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)

5. Are ALL of the following updates listed in View installed updates(not Update History)? [1]

    (a) KB2870699, KB2876315 & KB2872339;

    (b) KB2868623; KB2839894 & KB2830290;

    (c) KB2813347, KB2840149 & KB2807986;

    (d) KB2790113; KB2676562 & KB2644615.

6a. Is IE9 or IE10 installed?

6b. Is Firefox, Chrome or any other alternate browser installed?

7a. Is Java Version 7 Update 25 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER ONLY! => http://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp

7b. Is Adobe Flash Player v11.8.800.168 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER ONLY! => http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/

8. Do you have backups of ALL the changes Eusing Free Registry Cleaner and any other registry cleaner has EVER made to the computer? [2]

Related references may include:

- Check list for installing Microsoft Security Essentials  

[http://experts.windows.com/w/experts\_wiki/89.aspx](http://experts.windows.com/w/experts_wiki/89.aspx)
- Can I install Microsoft Security Essentials [*or any other anti-virus/anti-spyware application*] to clean up my already-infected computer?  

[http://answers.microsoft.com/thread/87058857-d181-4019-a723-efd9a49d9275](http://answers.microsoft.com/thread/87058857-d181-4019-a723-efd9a49d9275)

==============================================  

[1] **Start | Control Panel | Programs and Features | View installed updates** (in left-hand menu)

[2] Injudicious use of registry cleaners may be playing a role here. TIP: If you ever again think your Registry needs to be cleaned, repaired, boosted, tuned-up, cured, tweaked, fixed, maximized, "swept" or optimised (it doesn't), read
[http://chris.pirillo.com/are-registry-cleaners-safe-to-use/](http://chris.pirillo.com/are-registry-cleaners-safe-to-use/) and/or
[http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2005/04/why-i-dont-use-registry-cleaners/](http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2005/04/why-i-dont-use-registry-cleaners/) then draw your own conclusions.  Related =>
[http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2563254](http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2563254)

Answer 5

Me too. I do IT support and I've had two customers today give me the same symptoms. A certain user account logs in and explorer.exe seems to halt. Can't do much unless you wait. If you try some user accounts, it's stuck on "Setting up personalized settings for: Windows Desktop Update" seemingly indefinitely.

These two laptops are identical in hardware and their Windows Image. In Safe Mode, I checked the Installed Updates and both show the latest as 9/12/13, a round of critical updates. However, they both have a System Restore Point on 9/17/13 that says "Critical Update" for Window Update, even though I can't find where this installed. I'm certain this is the cause. Doing a System Restore alleviates the issue.

What a pain.