"Couldn't update to Windows 8.1 - 0xC1900101 - 0x40017"

I agree with you, I also suspect that it has to do with the mobo (in my case an Asus Sabertooth X79 with an i3930 cpu).

I do have Intel sw installed, namely Rapid Storage Technology, Watchdog Timer Driver and Management Engine Components but I haven't figured out whether I can safely uninstall or not.

Anybody an idea?

glad you've finally got rid of this pile of sh$t, I still can't afford a refresh or whole new install, I've too many useful programs, subscriptions, libraries installed and they all close knit to each other, I'm afraid I have to stick with windows 8 until they release windows 9, then again, I'm really not sure whether they can get their stuff right by then.

There was absolutely no way to get this fixed after waiting for 6 months. 

So I formatted the whole disk, installed Windows 7, then Windows 8, then the 98 updates, then Windows 8.1, then the updates, then all my programs, settings etc. In the process I permanently lost some programs like Office, as I do not have the subscription anymore, but I did have the programs installed. 

It took me some 16 hours to do the whole process, on top of the 6 months of trying various things. 

Safe to say, I'm frustrated and I'm jumping ship at the first chance some other OS has what I need.

Hi Martin,

I really appologize for the delay in responding to this thread. This issue is caused by a driver bug check during second boot while installing Windows 8.1. I request you to check if all the updates are installed on the computer via Windows Update before you start with the Windows 8.1 installation. It would be great if you can provide more information regarding this issue:

1)       What is the make and model of the computer?

2)       Do you have any external devices (except the mouse and the keyboard) connected to the computer?

3)       Are you using any third party security program installed on the computer?

You may try the following methods and check if that helps.

Method 1: Disconnect all the unnecessary external devices connected to the computer (except the mouse and the keyboard)

Please disconnect all the unnecessary external devices connected to the computer (except the mouse and the keyboard) and then check if you still face this issue while installing Windows 8.1. This is to check if the issue is caused by any external devices connected to the computer.

You may also try installing all the driver updates for all the devices installed on the computer and check if that resolves the issue. You may try the next methods and let’s know the result.

Method 2: Update the Device Drivers on the Computer.

Step 1: Check the Windows updates for any latest driver updates.

Check in Windows updates if any driver updates are available. If so, install the same and check if it helps.

a)       Press “Windows Logo” + “W” keys from the keyboard.

b)       Type “Updates” in the search bar and click on “Install optional updates” from the left pane.

c)       From the “Windows Update” window, click on “Check for Updates” on the top left corner, to receive a fresh list of updates and then install all the updates listed there.

For any issues while installing Windows Updates, you may also refer to this link:

Troubleshoot problems with installing updates

If no driver updates are available via Windows Update, then you may install them for all the devices on the computer from the Computer Manufacturer’s website.

Step 2: Update Driver Software from the Manufacturer’s website:

Go to the computer manufacturer’s website and search for the latest Windows 8 drivers available for all the devices on the computer and then install them by following the instructions given in the website.

Please get back to us with the troubleshooting results.

The first time I installed the update it went through flawlessly. I had to reinstall Windows 8, and now the upgrade has failed. No apparent reason as no hardware is different.

sorry about that...

i subscribed to as many threads as i could to see if anyone had a solution out there

i was a little too excited and posted my findings in the wrong thread

sorry again