"Preparing To Configure Windows. Please Do Not Turn Off Your Computer"

Anonymous

Hi. I just got my new laptop yesterday with Windows 7 Home Premium. When I left for school this morning, I shut down my computer and saw that it had 22 Windows Updates to download. When I turned it back on this afternoon, it was stuck at a screen that said "Preparing To Configure Windows. Please Do Not Turn Off Your Computer." I decided to wait but it stayed the same for as long as I waited. Finally, I powered it off by holding on the power button, and just normally booted the system. Will there be any damage done to my new laptop? Is there any way I can prevent this update glitch from happening again? Thanks.

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Anonymous

Hi. I just got my new laptop yesterday with Windows 7 Home Premium. When I left for school this morning, I shut down my computer and saw that it had 22 Windows Updates to download. When I turned it back on this afternoon, it was stuck at a screen that said "Preparing To Configure Windows. Please Do Not Turn Off Your Computer." I decided to wait but it stayed the same for as long as I waited. Finally, I powered it off by holding on the power button, and just normally booted the system. Will there be any damage done to my new laptop? Is there any way I can prevent this update glitch from happening again? Thanks.

I just bought a Toshiba Laptop for a Client with windows 7 home,

As a favour for my clients I usually run windows update for them so they get it all working and are 100% confident that when they get it as up to date as possible,

I ran into the exact same problem as above, i read this thread and read all different reply's but none of them realy worked for me and i didnt have time to wait...

this is what worked for me:

Hold down the power button and switch of your machine
Restart your computer and just before windows boots hit the F8 button
Boot into safe mode
login (if nessecary)
Make sure that any virus scanners at this point are disabled before continuing
Click "Start" > "Accessories" > "System Restore"
Click "Next"
Pick an earlier restore point and then click next, (its best to pick the 1 just before you had problems)
Click next and follow the prompts and it will start a system restore
wait till your computer does this System Restore process
Regardless of whether the system restore process fails or passes it should now get you out being stuck at "Preparing To Configure Windows. Please Do Not Turn Off Your Computer."

Now...

13 Disable Virus Scanner before moving on

Run windows update
now it should run without any problems
if you do have problems and run into a loop Call your Computer Manufacturer or the company that you purchased it off and see if they can help you,

Thanks

Michael

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Anonymous

2010-02-01T06:55:05+00:00

I got an HP Desktop on Friday, took it back on Sat. thinking it was broken because it was stuck all day Sat on that "preparing to configure windows" got an even exchange for another HP Desktop.... came home everything was fine on start up/ setup then today Sunday once again "preparing to configure windows" and so I waited... waited... and waited....... then after about 6 hrs... its appeared like it was done "CONFIGURING" and once again asked to be restarted for updates.... and now I still wait......... wait...........wait........... I am so pi*S**!!!!!!!!!

From what I have read its just going to be a waiting game right? or do I have to take my computer back and get my money back!!!!!!!!

What the He** is the point!!!! Getting a new computer and you cant ever use it.... and now I'm stuck with a computer that I have to find a way around the clitch in order to use what the he**??????????? I got a Windows 7 cause I had a Windows vista now I'm thinking Vista wasn't that bad after huh??????? ugh!!!!!! =/

PS.. I really dont feel like calling windows support just to try and understand those indian dudes that always asst. ugh!!!!!! One more question... Will this happen every update after all this waiting today? or is this happening because the computer is brand new? Thanks
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Anonymous

2010-02-01T10:29:39+00:00

I have a Compaq Presario CQ60, came with VISTA and did an inplace upgrade to windows 7. Had recurring problem with the updates failing to install, I've always just held the power switch down after a couple hours, maybe Ill leave it overnight and see if that helps. Windows 7 update failz : (

Well it seems patience was the answer after all . I left mine running the update process last night and this morning it was done and asking for a restart. I restarted it, which it did quicker than I have ever seen this new laptop do, and its all good.

It seems that atm for some reason windows update is a very very slow process. Not only do the installations take ages the downloads for me take even longer.

The length of most people's downloads for updates (regardless of your internet speed) is probably what keeps the "Preparing to configure windows" message up on the screen for so long.

Just hang in there and let it run over night if you have a handful of updates to do.

FYI for all those skype users out there, 4.1 works on 7 with no problems that I've found.
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Anonymous

2010-02-01T14:05:49+00:00

I'm having the same issue on an Emachine with only 3 updates that I have left for a day and a half on start up. I've done the restore point but the updates keep being installed. Now what?
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Anonymous

2010-02-02T18:04:03+00:00

I just brought a gateway NV53 and I am having the same problem. I've removed the battery and even tried to reset, but it still goes to the "preparing to configure Windows. Do not turn off your computer screen." Good thing I have another laptop I can use in the mean time. How long will this take? Not very happy right now.
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