Windows Server 2012 R2 Hanging at Splash Screen Post Windows Updates

_{Friday, November 25, 2016 2:07 PM}

Windows updates to our 2012 R2 server and on reboot the server hangs at the splash screen (no spinning circle - just static logo).

The server responds to pings.

I've attempted the following CMD recovery steps booting from the media. Method 2 only found my Windows.old directory from the in-place-upgrade that I did a while back.

Method 1:
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1. Put the Windows Server 2012 R2 installation disc into the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when the message indicating “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD …”. appears.
3. Select a language, a time, a currency, and a keyboard or another input method, and then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
6. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
7. Type sfc /scannow, and then press ENTER.

Method 2:
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1. Put the Windows Server 2012 R2 installation disc in the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press any key when the message indicating “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD …”. appears.
3. Select a language, time, currency, and a keyboard or another input method. Then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
6. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
7. Type Bootrec /RebuildBcd, and then press ENTER.

Method 3:
===============
1. Put the Windows Server 2012 R2 installation disc into the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when the message indicating “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD …”. appears.
3. Select a language, a time, a currency, and a keyboard or another input method, and then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
6. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
7. Type BOOTREC /FIXMBR, and then press ENTER.
8. Type BOOTREC /FIXBOOT, and then press ENTER.
9. Type Drive:\boot\Bootsect.exe /NT60 All, and then press ENTER.

Note: In this command, Drive is the drive where the Windows Server 2012 R2 installation media is located.

I've tried to start the Server in safe mode - bcdedit /set {bootmgr} no joy.

I have a full backup of this server although would much prefer not to have to use this as server is an SCCM site server and thus restore is not the preferred option.

Any ideas welcome.

M Tipler

_{Friday, November 25, 2016 2:35 PM ✅Answered}

You might try removing the update offline.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh824838.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

Regards, Dave Patrick ....
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows Server] Datacenter Management

Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees, and confers no rights.

_{Tuesday, November 29, 2016 7:41 AM}

Hi Mattyt,

Have you got any progress with your issue? Could Dave's suggestion be of help?

Welcome to feed back.

Besides, if you want to get more professional help and deep investigation, you may open a case with MS:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/gp/support-options-for-business

Best Regards,

Anne

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help.
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_{Tuesday, November 29, 2016 10:02 AM}

I'm very sorry that I didn't get back to you sooner. Yes, mounting the OS offline using DISM.exe and removing the pending updates resolved the issue. This was performed by Microsoft Enterprise Support and they are yet to send me the specific steps that they took. Once I have them I will post them. 

I was advised that this problem was likely caused by a driver conflict and due to a large number of updates being applied concurrently.

Apologies again for the delay in response. 

M Tipler