I might try a clean boot before the next attempt on Friday: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135

On, one thing to do would be to try to delete as much as possible from this folder to pinpoint the file or folder causing the issue.

Ok, so it's probably no an issue related with Windows Update... but it doesn't help that much.

No problem. That's part of the of the "random joy" of upgrading or installing a new OS, most of the time it works fine on first try but you might be the unlucky one where it will fail apparently without reason.

And despite what some might pretend it's not something specific to W10 or even Windows in particular, I have spent countless hours stuck on a Linux console because an apparently innocent component upgrade resulted in the system refusing to start.



If you have time and have backup-ed all your files, what you could try is :

- Boot from the Windows 10 ISO/UBS and launch the install from there and see if it help. Normally you should have the option to "update" there.

Or, in the worst case if you don't mind reinstalling, do a clean install.

If you have an external disk with enough space you can use one of the bootable free disk imaging software to create full copy of your Windows 7 system to have something to go back to in case it still don't work.

Kinda afraid to try the USB option because of this: https://www.gog.com/forum/general_archive/pc_hangs_at_bios_motherboard_splash_screen_cant_get_into_bios

I noticed the same lockup problem when I tried booting with a disc in the optical drive one time, so if i'm required to have the USB plugged in during the reboot and upgrade phase of Win 10 then that could be disastrous.

I've seen suggestions of pulling the CMOS battery from the motherboard and then putting it back to reset the BIOS as i've heard it could be a BIOS problem, but i'd like to save that for a last resort. Of course that could be the whole reason why the Win 10 upgrade fails.

Another thing I could try is updating all Win 7 drivers and hope to hell Nvidia's latest GPU drivers or others don't screw something up.

Also, I have never messed with updating the BIOS since I built this PC in 2012. Been afraid to be honest.

I kinda wish people did have the mob mentality as they unanimously do on the internet. Email Microsoft in droves spamming every folder to kingdom come, everyone removing said update and disabling all updates except like 1 public editor who would tell you which updates to totally avoid. Everyone calling microsoft and hanging up their phone phone line system while everyone complains. Hell even tens of thousands of people with signs filling microsoft's lawns and preventing employees from going to/from work. And if Microsoft didn't fix things in a timely manner the whole building getting stormed and razed. Every corporation would take note and be a little more hesitant about such stupid forceful tactics. Alas instead we get a fart as people complain but no one actually does anything...

Well, one person DID sue microsoft. I kinda wish more critical systems would fail and microsoft would get sued far more often and in larger situations. Bus stations going offline, planes crashing, elevators stop working mid cycle with residents inside during said 'upgrade' for hours.

Thanks for the advice guys! I upgraded without much issue. But now it keeps reporting that there's an HDD problem. It didn't do this before upgrading. The warning with the option to backup the data is the error message I get. Other than that, everything is fine. I ran chkdsks and everything seems fine. Any advice?

Could suspect malware that was dormant? Reminds me of some mal/ransom ware that a friend got infected on their system. It would hide all icons except this one 'microsoft' application I'd never seen and then 'test' the system saying the harddrive was running 1/3rd slower than it should. Of course the application could 'fix' it, but I needed to pay.

But beyond that I can't immediately think of why it would think there's an HDD problem. Unless... it can't lock the disk with encryption and is complaining?

I'll do a scan and check just to be sure.

HDD is functioning properly if that's what you asked :D I'm so rusty on my PC literacy nowadays.

Complaining vocally and not giving in also counts as something, but it's a matter of numbers. Ten thousand people protest on their lawn sure does something, but ten million people worldwide saying loud and clear that they won't put up with this, won't "upgrade" even for free and won't buy new MS stuff until the matter gets sorted to their liking also does something, and without the risk of fine or arrest or needing to either be local or travel and clear your schedule for at least a whole day if not far longer.

It wasn't that long ago, a generation or two ago that protesters en-mass would cover the white house lawns as I recall. So much more involvement where everyone listened in and got involved in the politics. Today? All the seats are practically empty, while decisions are quickly and quietly being shoved through the door.

If only I got zapped by a radioactive super mutant spider teleporting god entity and given omnipotent abilities...

Scanned with Comodo free AV and found nothing. Another tihng I find is constant 100% HDD usage in task manager. I recall someone saying it might be AV scanning new files but I haven't downloaded anything new other than the OS. Any advice? The HDD thing is making everything lag.

See what the SMART information says about the drive. Green means ignore the message. Yellow means think on backing it up. Red: BACK THAT DATA UP RIGHT NOW!!! (drive is going to fail). Windows telling you to back the data up is not a good sign (you may hear why with it running much longer

Okay, so I have a new plan. Hear me out.

1. Perform a clean boot: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135
2. Delete all files in:
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
3. Update Win 7 and download the Win 10 upgrade
4. Unplug my printer and speakers. (Which I probably should have done before)
5. Disable internet connection or pull ethernet cable or both
6. Disable anti-virus
7. Reboot and let the Win 10 upgrade attempt commence

Anything wrong with this plan?

I'm always squeamish about uninstalling and reinstalling anti-virus, but I guess it wouldn't be a big deal with the internet disabled.

Perhaps I should also uninstall Spybot Free Edition and Malwarebytes Free Edition?

I don't think Malwarebytes would interfere, but you could always reinstall it after. ;)
Have never heard of Spybot.