Late(ish) Model Lenovo Thinkpad won't update 10 to 1803 or 1809

[carmen617]

Regular customer drops off his Thinkpad, licensed for Windows 8 Pro but with Windows 7 Pro installed, for a minor checkup. I tell him he needs to upgrade to an SSD and install 10, bread and butter business here for me.

He's got Office 2007 on there, which won't activate on new installs any longer, so i really want to clone the drive rather than forcing him to buy a new copy of Office as well. So I clone his 500GB drive to a 500GB Samsung SSD, using their software, and go to update him to Windows 10 using a USB with 1803 on it. Update fails at 52% of "checking for updates", rolls back with the following error:

We couldn't install Windows 10. We've set your PC back to the way it was just before you started installing Windows 10
0xC1900101 - 0x30018 The installation failed in the FIRST_BOOT phase with an error during SYSPREP operation

After troubleshooting a bit, I managed to get him upgraded to 1703 using an older USB installer. But I can't get him to 1803 or 1809. Every single time I try (and it's been a lot of tries, at least 20) I get the same damned error at 52%.

This problem actually seems very common - I have found a ton of "fixes", and have literally followed them all. I have updated every driver and the BIOS. I've disabled the wireless adapter, bluetooth, and the DVD drive. I've run DISM, SFC/Scannow, Chkdsk, and a full repair with Windows Repair All in One. I've followed every step I can find to fix Windows Update, including all the renaming and changing of software distribution files. I've followed every step in this link:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...t/c10f540d-d6ab-40e1-80a5-3ea772437730?page=1

The client is a nice guy who's been understanding about all of this, and it's making me nuts that I can't get this update to work. I'm about to give the system back to him as is, but figured I would toss this out here and see if anybody has any insight, has run into this before, and might give me something new to try.

Thanks all!

 

[Porthos]

He's got Office 2007 on there, which won't activate on new installs any longer

There are ways to activate.
1- you can look up the MS number and do the activation on phone. (I did that a few months ago but did not take note of the number I called)
2- You could use Fab's to "back up" the activation files. Install 2007 without network access then restore the activation files with Fab's and then restart and start one of the Office programs to verify and then connect to the net.
3- You can use this http://www.opa-backup.de/index_en.php to backup/restore the Office activation as well.

The above ONLY works if it is the same machine and you have the key(hint- Nirsoft) and of course the correct install ISO for the version he has.
I have most all of the ISO's if needed.

Since you have a new SSD, Just clean install 1809 and try my above tricks. Since you are in the US I would be happy to assist and help you out.

 

[carmen617]

There are ways to activate.
1- you can look up the MS number and do the activation on phone. (I did that a few months ago but did not take note of the number I called)
2- You could use Fab's to "back up" the activation files. Install 2007 without network access then restore the activation files with Fab's and then restart and start one of the Office programs to verify and then connect to the net.
3- You can use this http://www.opa-backup.de/index_en.php to backup/restore the Office activation as well.

The above ONLY works if it is the same machine and you have the key(hint- Nirsoft) and of course the correct install ISO for the version he has.
I have most all of the ISO's if needed.

Since you have a new SSD, Just clean install 1809 and try my above tricks. Since you are in the US I would be happy to assist and help you out.

It's not an activation problem. The computer has Windows 10 on it, winver 1709, and it's activated and working fine. The problem is that I can't get it to update to 1803 or 1809. Every time i try, every way I try, it fails and rolls back, at the exact same point.

Oh - sorry - just truly read your post and saw it was about activating Office 2007. Thanks - that's very helpful if I choose to do a nuke and pave, but at this point I've put so much time into this thing I don't want to open that can of worms. He's also got an older version of Quickbooks on there, and he's not the kind of client who can reinstall his own printer or even connect to his own network - a nuke and pave would lead to a house call for finishing things up.

 

[Porthos]

but at this point I've put so much time into this thing I don't want to open that can of worms. He's also got an older version of Quickbooks on there, and he's not the kind of client who can reinstall his own printer or even connect to his own network - a nuke and pave would lead to a house call for finishing things up.

Sometime when Windows is "broken" A nuke is the only choice or you will be stuck again down the road when it keeps nagging about end of support for the version it is on now.

Windows 10 using a USB with 1803 on it. Update fails at 52% of "checking for updates", rolls back

How was the USB made?

With Fabs, Quickbooks is easy Printer can be done remotely. There are programs to backup and restore the network profile if needed.

Is the Bios up to date?

 

[nerd2u]

I'd you try the same install media on a different machine does it fail? This will help eliminate if it's your install media or the machine.

Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk

 

[mikeroq]

I didn't see a mention of using the media creation tool directly on the laptop? Clone it again back to his Win 7 and run the tool and let it download fresh and upgrade.

Although if this was my repair once I started having upgrade issues I would just nuke and pave. Backup with fabs, telephone activate office, reinstal QB, restore data.

 

[Porthos]

licensed for Windows 8 Pro but with Windows 7 Pro installed

Another thought, Get a current ISO and before you "upgrade" disconnect from the net. I belive the Bios key for 8 is interfering.

Current English x64 ISO with current CU. One Dive link
Extract ISO to computer HD and run setup.

 

[sapphirescales]

It's not an activation problem. The computer has Windows 10 on it, winver 1709, and it's activated and working fine. The problem is that I can't get it to update to 1803 or 1809. Every time i try, every way I try, it fails and rolls back, at the exact same point.

Oh - sorry - just truly read your post and saw it was about activating Office 2007. Thanks - that's very helpful if I choose to do a nuke and pave, but at this point I've put so much time into this thing I don't want to open that can of worms. He's also got an older version of Quickbooks on there, and he's not the kind of client who can reinstall his own printer or even connect to his own network - a nuke and pave would lead to a house call for finishing things up.

Do it right or don't do it. Quote what it's going to take to get his system upgraded PROPERLY or get him out of there with a new computer. DO NOT "UPGRADE" AN OPERATING SYSTEM! It leads to a huge number of problems down the road (or in this case, right away). Imagine if this thing came in back when 1709 or 1703 was the newest build. You'd have handed it back to him all "fixed" only for him to encounter the same problem you're encountering right now. Yes, it's "cheaper," but it's not the RIGHT thing to do. Yes, doing it right is expensive. You'll probably push him to a new computer when he really doesn't need one. But the most important thing is that your client is HAPPY.

I would have immediately quoted a nuke n' pave and a housecall to get everything set up properly. It would have been in the $700 to $1,000 range. For that price, he probably would have said "screw it" and chosen to just spend $1,000 to $1,200 and gotten into another system along with paying me for the housecall.

Ignorance is expensive. I paid $800 for a toilet install (which included a $150 toilet) which took 1.5 hours. I'm ignorant of this sort of thing so it costs me a lot of money. Thankfully I have skills in other areas so I can afford to pay someone else to do this stuff. If I don't want to pay that, my other option is I can learn how to do it myself and do all the work myself. I could have fixed my toilet for $600 but I said "screw it" and just had them replace it. It's not your fault stuff costs what it costs. What IS your fault is if you jerry-rig stuff and it doesn't last. I'd be p*ssed if I paid even $300 for the plumber to "fix" my toilet only for it to start leaking 6 months later (similar to the failed 1803 upgrade) because he wanted to save me money. Do it right or don't do it at all.

 

[Porthos]

Do it right or don't do it. Quote what it's going to take to get his system upgraded PROPERLY or get him out of there with a new computer. DO NOT "UPGRADE" AN OPERATING SYSTEM! It leads to a huge number of problems down the road (or in this case, right away).

I agree and do this as well.

 

[Sky-Knight]

I forget specifically which realtek chipset it is, but there is a wifi card out there that will not support 1803, any attempt to go to it or past it will result in a BSOD. I haven't seen any laptops with it yet, but I've had plenty of desktops with add-in cards that got that thing yanked.

I'd toss in a new drive, and install a fresh 1809, if that works he needs to buy a copy of office that's supported and move on. If the fresh install doesn't work, given it's a laptop you know it's now a dud and it's time to move on.

P.S. I upgrade operating systems all the time, it's fine. Anyone that says it's problems waiting to happen is holding onto old, but good habits. No one should be worried about taking a 10 install to a newer 10.

 

[carmen617]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have to say I disagree with the "nuke and pave or nothing else" crowd - even with FABS and all the tools out there to extract keys and download software and remote in for "finishing up", that is still a much bigger project than a clone and upgrade. I try to upsell every client I see with Win 7 and a spinner to an SSD clone and Windows 10 upgrade, and everybody with a spinner to an SSD clone, and have done literally hundreds of them with very few problems. It's a real moneymaker for me, and I can offer it with a 24 hour turnaround for about $250 depending on the disk size - a no brainer for most of my client base. I can't imagine anybody I work with paying $700-$1000 to keep an older system going for another year or two. I don't sell computers, I sell services, so I'll keep that revenue stream coming in.

This is the first time I've come across this particular situation and was unable to get past it. I agree at this time that a N&P is the only solution for this system, however I have so much time invested in this one already that I was hoping throwing it out here would trigger a solution. In answer to some of the questions, I've tried 3 different USB keys, all of which have been successful on other systems. I've also tried using the upgrade assistant and a fresh download. I've disable (and even removed) the wifi adapter prior to attempting the upgrade. The one suggestion I haven't tried is pulling the disk and doing a clean install on a fresh drive to see if the system can run 1809 at all. I would do that this morning, however the client needs his system back, so it's going back to him with 1709 on it.

The client knows the situation. His plan is to use the system, return it to me if any problems beyond the inability to install 1809, and replace it within a year with a new system and a new copy of office.

 

[Markverhyden]

Did you see a post about doing a regedit.

1) Click on Start, search for regedit.

2) With regedit open, proceed to the following path. Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\OSUpgrade.

3) Right click on the right side window and go to New -> DWORD (32-bit) in this value.

4) Rename the new value to “AllowOSUpgrade” without the ” quotations and make sure it is exactly the same as it is case sensitive.

5) Double click on the newly created value AllowOSUpgrade and change the value to 1 with hex decimal base.

6) Close regedit and run Windows Update again. Windows 10 should pop up and you can then download it.


from: https://www.techieshelp.com/windows-10-upgrade-error-code-0xc1900101-0x30018/

 

[carmen617]

Did you see a post about doing a regedit.

1) Click on Start, search for regedit.

2) With regedit open, proceed to the following path. Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\OSUpgrade.

3) Right click on the right side window and go to New -> DWORD (32-bit) in this value.

4) Rename the new value to “AllowOSUpgrade” without the ” quotations and make sure it is exactly the same as it is case sensitive.

5) Double click on the newly created value AllowOSUpgrade and change the value to 1 with hex decimal base.

6) Close regedit and run Windows Update again. Windows 10 should pop up and you can then download it.


from: https://www.techieshelp.com/windows-10-upgrade-error-code-0xc1900101-0x30018/

Thanks Mark - that's one I didn't see. The system is gone now, but if (or when) it comes back that's the first thing I'll try.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Any time I've seen this issue....a nuke 'n pave fresh install went in smooth as buttah. Even though you cloned an older spindle to a new SSD...cloning can still bring over "crap" of some sort...screwed up files, etc. Or there is just a history of something wonky on that drive.

I'm guilty of getting caught up in that vicious time consuming cycle of wasting inCREDIBLE amounts of time "I'll try one more thing"..."OK, just one more thing..." ..."wait..I didn't try this..lemme try it"... Pretty soon you're 36 hours into it. Can be a hard thing to know when to say enough is enough, and just go right for what works. It's not your problem the guy clings to an outdated no longer supported Office 2007 install. There is a price to pay for being cheap. You be honest and charge for your time..and by now, the guy could have bought 2 or 3 nice new Thinkpads for the amount of your hours sunk into this. Or...pay a little more up front for better efficiency. If the guy had an Office 365 license...how easy and quick would your nuke 'n pave have been? But since he might be cheap and against paying Microsoft a subcription...YOU end up suffering double digit hours sunk into a task...and probably donating/volunteering most of that time.

We mostly sell Lenovo Thinkpads for laptops and we have a TOOOOOOONNNNN of them out there of many vintages..and I've upgraded a lot. Not sure which "type" (specific model) you have, but I have not yet encountered one Thinkpad that didn't take a Win10 install. Been busy in recent weeks taking many to 1809 too. Mine I'm typing on right now...a Carbon X1...took it fine.

 

[Porthos]

This is the first time I've come across this particular situation and was unable to get past it. I agree at this time that a N&P is the only solution for this system, however I have so much time invested in this one already that I was hoping throwing it out here would trigger a solution.

After the first failure I would have gone to nuke, I am sorry, It is not worth fighting with a broken install or the inability to upgrade. The same goes with current Windows 10 installs that will not upgrade after I determine it is not a hardware restriction.

I don't sell computers, I sell services

I do both. When needed I will sell an affordable 4th gen refurb system or reccomenda new business class system if the client wishes and can afford such system. My services are to setup and transfer data if a replacement computer is needed.

I have encountered the same issue on a couple of computers that are loaded with a downgraded Win 7 with a Win 8 BIOS key.

 

[timeshifter]

I wasn't really aware that you could do an upgrade install from 7 to 10. If I think about it I know it's possible. I've never done it that I can recall. Windows 10 ISO plus FABs is such a piece of cake.

 

[carmen617]

I wasn't really aware that you could do an upgrade install from 7 to 10. If I think about it I know it's possible. I've never done it that I can recall. Windows 10 ISO plus FABs is such a piece of cake.

After cloning the drive to an SSD, an upgrade install takes about 20 minutes total from a USB. After it's done, check for Windows updates, change all your default programs back to the customer's preferences, and call them to come and pick the system up, working just as when dropped off except incredibly faster and with years more support from Microsoft. No worrying about extracting product keys before removing the drive, no worrying about whether the client has all their important files in some folder on the root of C that FABs doesn't look for automatically, no wasting time downloading software or tracking down passwords or email settings, etc.

Don't get me wrong - I love FABS (it's really changed my life, and probably the best thing joining Technibble has pointed me to) and there are certainly MANY times when a N&P is the right way to go. System a big old mess? They let some "tech support" scammer onto the computer? Hard drive has a ton of bad sectors? All of those are great times to put in a new drive, clean install Windows, and FABS it. But a working system that just needs to be upgraded? I'm going to go with a clone and an in place upgrade every time.

 

[Porthos]

But a working system that just needs to be upgraded? I'm going to go with a clone and an in place upgrade every time.

I do the same UNLESS...
1- The system has 7 or 8 on it currently. Depending on the client and software I do make exceptions only if it works the first time.
2- The system will not image because of drive issues.
3- If (like in your case) 7 is loaded and it has a bios key for 8. Only if it works the first time.

 

[carmen617]

I do the same UNLESS...

3- If (like in your case) 7 is loaded and it has a bios key for 8. Only if it works the first time.

Yeah - that's a good point. For whatever reason (probably because I mostly work with residential clients) I hadn't come across this particular issue in the past. The good part about our business is - everything is a learning experience. If i run into 7 on an 8 machine again, it gets one shot only!

 

[Sky-Knight]

That's the nice part about 10's semi-annual upgrade march... twice a year every machine gets a new OS. It really does help keep this sort of crap at bay.