PLEASE help...Steam updating is freezing my entire computer!

[MountainsAwait]

I've searched out many threads and google searches on this, so please hear me out - I have tried to research it without much luck. My problem is this:

Several days ago, I came home to my computer having a box that had opened, apparently doing some kind of an automatic Steam update. The box that's there says "Updating Steam" but it is stuck about two-thirds of the way to the end of the progress bar. I've left it overnight, with no luck. So, I tried to ctrl+alt+delete to get into task manager, but that has not worked - nor has the mouse, or anything. I'm so aggravated, because most of the help threads on these steam updates freezing have a fix by changing some .blob files or something that can be fixed with a step-by-step solution. I am no computer whiz, so it may be something totally unrelated to Steam, but I've got to get a fix because my ENTIRE computer is unusable, not just Steam.
Oh, and fyi, the Steam update starts immediately when Windows starts, so I don't have time to force stop it from opening.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks,
Dan

[Macross]

its always like that... : (

[MountainsAwait]

Really? Even the fact that I can't do ctrl+alt+delete to stop that process?? I can't click on Start menu either...

[Felix]

A step-by-step of the ".blob fix" can be found here, so give that a try: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7241-EYON-2343

Else, perhaps take a look at these few Support articles:

• Steam Support -> Programs Which May Interfere with Steam.
  
• Steam Support -> Troubleshooting Network Connectivity.
  
• Steam Support -> How To Remove and Refresh Your Steam Files.

EDIT: I've just noticed you've said you are unable to do much before Steam starts as it is set to launch with Windows. Give me a sec to give a response to that.

[Felix]

The fact that your computer freezes soon after Windows logs in makes me think it's not a Steam problem and rather a problem with your computer, be that a hardware fault or some kind of virus.

It might be worth reinstalling your computer and see if the problem stops after that.

If you have files you would like to back up to a memory stick, then if you have a second computer around - or a helpful friend - you could download an Ubuntu Live CD and burn that to a disc. Once that has been burned to a disc, you put that in your computer and boot into Ubuntu in "Live CD" mode. This essentially runs the Linux Ubuntu Operating System temporarily off the CD, meaning you can backup your personal files to a memory stick before you reinstall Windows.

An Ubuntu Live CD download can be found here: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

[MountainsAwait]

Frazer - that is very helpful, and I appreciate you taking the time to post. I gravitated towards your second post, since I can't do much of anything. This is terribly frustrating, but at least i now have a starting point. I'm running Windows XP and would love to upgrade to Windows 7 anyway, but I was hoping not to have to go through all the trouble. I'm less worried about the files and moreso things like the 30+ GB of iTunes music that is all rated and categorized...

BTW, stupid question - but does re-installing Windows XP effectively mean I am wiping EVERYTHING clean and would need to have all of the abovementioned things backed up?

Stupid question #2 - can I restart my computer in Safe Mode and do the .blob fix for Steam?

Thanks guys.
Dan

[Felix]

Restarting in Safe Mode could be a good idea actually, yeah. Try booting in Safe Mode. If you get beyond the point of freezing, then I suggest completely removing Steam from your computer and then booting back into Windows normally. See if the freezing persists again. If not, reinstall Steam while Windows is still booted "normally".

If you can't even get into Safe Mode, then a reinstall would be the step to take, I feel.

Yes, reinstalling Windows would wipe everything from your harddrive. In SOME cases when reinstalling Windows, Windows will create a "Windows.Old" folder on your harddrive as a backup for you to use after the reinstallation, but this should never be relied on as it could - of course - go wrong. Besides, creating your own backups of your personal files from time to time is a very good habit to get in to.

Let me know how it goes or if you're wanting any more input on this problem. I can imagine it being incredibly frustrating; especially when you're - as you put it - not a computer whizz!

[Legendary old man]

If you can get into safe mode you can disable steam from auto starting to see if that is the issue with msconfig. You could also try a system restore back to before the issue started in safe mode and you could check the hard drive for errors.

[Felix]

Originally posted by facedown:

If you can get into safe mode you can disable steam from auto starting to see if that is the issue with msconfig. You could also try a system restore back to before the issue started in safe mode and you could check the hard drive for errors.

That is, of course, providing his computer doesn't get the freezing issue even while in Safe Mode!

[Legendary old man]

Originally posted by FrazerJC:

Originally posted by facedown:

If you can get into safe mode you can disable steam from auto starting to see if that is the issue with msconfig. You could also try a system restore back to before the issue started in safe mode and you could check the hard drive for errors.

That is, of course, providing his computer doesn't get the freezing issue even while in Safe Mode!

Yup, that is why "if". If he can not get into safe mode then I would boot from an XP disc, go into recovery console and run chkdsk.

[MountainsAwait]

Thanks guys - you've been a big help.

Okay, so I went into Safe Mode, and tried to (in order) disable auto updating in Steam (wouldn't let me since I was "offline)" and then tried to uninstall Steam all together. it wouldn't let me do that either. It appears that Safe Mode is only for viewing.

I guess that only leaves me with doing a System Restore to ~2 weeks ago before I installed Steam for the first time. I don't remember ever doing one before, so my question is: do I do the System Restore while in Safe Mode, or from the regular menu when I hold F8 to see my options? You guys are both awesome, thanks.

[Felix]

You should be able to do the System Restore from within Safe Mode.

[MountainsAwait]

All right...sweet...restoring it to last week worked perfectly! It's like it never happened, and I still have Steam installed. NOW...to avoid this from happening again (where the Steam automatic updates froze my computer and got me into this mess), what should I do? I've already told Steam to NOT automatically start up when my computer does. That should help. After that, is there a way to tell Steam to NOT automatically update? I can't find a way. If it can't, should I do the .blob fix? Thanks.

[Roscaria]

You can prevent Steam from automatically updating your games by going into Library right click on Properties>Update and change settings.

I had a problem after the last Steam update that caused my game to revert to the Library screen where another game I had was in the process of being updated by Steam and my current game was then synching as it had been terminated.

This happened more than once and another gamer advised me of this solution. Now the only game I have set to be automatically updated is the one currenly played and I have had no problems since.

[MountainsAwait]

Thanks, Roscaria. I went ahead and stopped the game I play (only 1 - Company of Heroes) from automatically updating. Appreciate the help!

Dan

[MountainsAwait]

UPDATE:
Crap...I don't know why, but it's at it again...today, randomly, the Steam update began when I restarted my computer. I don't understand it because I changed the settings to NOT update automatically. I can do the System Restore again, but I guess then I'll have to uninstall Steam and then re-install it. Wouldn't the auto update issue still occur? Do I need to do the .blob fix? Sorry to drag this out...thanks in advance for everyone's help.