Putting it simply, after I ran Windows Update I soon started to experience endless critical_process_died blue screens. I'm unable go for any longer then five minutes after logging in before I get if again. Additionally, I attempted to run chkdsk as part of my diagnosis and inadvertently found myself with chkdsk looping because it can't finish. When it tries to run, I just get a critical_process_died again and the process repeats. There is no ten second message for chkdsk.
Excuse my ignorance but some details would be helpful. Eg. What OS, 8 - 8.1 - 8.1 w Update? Eg. What version, CoreSingleLanguage, Core, Pro, *Pro-WMC*, Enterprise? Eg. Retail, VL? Eg. What method of activation? Eg. What update caused this behavior? etc.
Ah, sorry. I'm still on my phone but I'll try to answer. Windows 8.1 Pro VL KMS activation As for updates, I'm uncertain.
Critical process failure during a chkdisk scan... hmmm... This seems like either a HAL problem or an actual hardware problem. I've heard of certain types of systems having hardware issues with updates. You might search the net for your type of system having problem with windows update.
So I managed to get past chkdsk. I tried uninstalling the window updates, but that did nothing as well. System restore consistently fails, and using the repair tool fails as well. I decided to resort to a system refresh. Not looking good. Got a critical process died bsod while Windows tried to set itself up. EDIT: Critical_process_died after the refresh. Not sure what to do now besides a full reinstallation.
Yes, that makes sense if it is a HAL problem. I wish I knew more about how to re-initialize the HAL checking, but I don't. You can try searching for a way to re-initialize the Hardware Abstraction Layer check on google or something. That might fix your issue.
I see. I don't know what the "Hardware Abstraction Layer" is or how to fix it however. I've never heard of it until now.
You know the first reboot after boot-installing Windows where it doesn't seem to be doing much except your screen will flicker once or twice? During that, it's checking all the hardware ids and installing drivers and stuff. If that gets messed up, your system will just be jacked up; as you now know