Uninstall MS Updates that crippled my S/W

[Modify_inc]

I bought a used POS system that has Windows Embedded 7 on it and it has been working great for over a year now. The other day I powered it down and I noticed it said it was installing 67 updates. When I powered it back on it continued to install the remaining updates and then loaded the desktop. Now every time I run the POS Menu program I get the following error:

The process performance counter is disabled, so the requested operation cannot be performed.

I can press ok, and then about 10 seconds later the same error pops back up. I have pressed the button 10 or 20 times hoping it would eventually open the POS Menu, but no luck so far.

I’m a technician by trade, but I have never worked on a Windows Embedded system. Everything seems to be locked down on the desktop. The start menu only has a search box with the power menu to the right. The search box is disabled, so you can’t run any commands. The only icon on the desktop is a shortcut for the POS Menu. I can open the task manager but I can’t run any commands from it either.

All I want to do is uninstall those updates so things can return to the way it was, or resolve the error message if possible. I loaded Hiren’s BootCD and gained access to the file system. Hiren seems to pack a lot of tools, but I didn’t see anything that could uninstall MS updates or even run the MS system restore. I did notice there were many users in the Users directory but how can I attempt to load any of them if the system doesn’t allow you to change users? I also noticed using Hiren’s BootCD doesn’t give you access to the User Accounts applet in the control panel either. So even if I could change users, how would I create a new user?

I also ran Windows Recovery using a UFD. From there I was able to run system restore. System restore listed one restore point and it was only a few days ago. Getting excited at this point, I clicked next, only to be disappointed again. Error: There is not enough disk space to restore the disk.

I called the company that supports the system but they want me to purchase a support package at $260 a month, which is just absurd! What’s funny is the guy I talked to said any PC repair person should be able to resolve this issue quickly. Maybe I’m just off my game.

Any suggestions?

Thank you
Mike

EDIT: Is it possible to reset the local security polices or group polices from a Live boot disc? The system looks like it has been locked down with group policy settings or similar.

 

[USAFRet]

I bought a used POS system that has Windows Embedded 7 on it and it has been working great for over a year now.

For any used system, your first move should be a full wipe and reinstall of the OS. Just my thoughts, anyway.

At this point, it needs a wipe and reinstall. You could spend a week or two trying to 'fix it', or reinstall and be done in 36 hours after updates.

 

[noidea_77]

Maybe this is a starting point. It points to some Microsoft articles as well. https://support.symantec.com/en_US/article.TECH40069.html
Do you have save mode enabled on the system? https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/Bb499220%28v=WinEmbedded.51%29.aspx

 

[junkeymonkey]

go to windows update /installed updates /clock on the ones you want to remove and choose uninstall follow prompts -- when the updates come back next time you check them just click on them and select ''hide''

I would change the update settings to 'check for updates but let me choose to download and install '' that way you can inspect each one prior to downloading and installing the ones you may not want or need ?

looked interesting ??

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff769897(v=winembedded.60).aspx

looks like a bit of work on the embedded stuff ??

https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/45ba8045-e629-4745-9933-5fcfc2cc77ef/windows-updates-wont-apply-on-windows-embedded-7-standard-with-sccm-2012sp1-?forum=quebecservicingdeployment

 

[Modify_inc]

I bought a used POS system that has Windows Embedded 7 on it and it has been working great for over a year now.

For any used system, your first move should be a full wipe and reinstall of the OS. Just my thoughts, anyway.

At this point, it needs a wipe and reinstall. You could spend a week or two trying to 'fix it', or reinstall and be done in 36 hours after updates.

Maybe on a regular desktop system for home or office but not a POS system that is preconfigured to work with my other POS units. I bought the complete system because it was ready to go and working. Re-installation of the POS Menu would without a doubt require me to purchase that $260 a month support package. I'm trying to fix the problem myself, which would be easy, if the greedy bastards didn't put so many restrictions on the system in the first place just to force the user to depend on them to repair every little thing.

 

[junkeymonkey]

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff850921.aspx


loks like a bunch of homework ? being used the old user is still administrator and password protected and preventing you from making any of the changes ??

dang sure a lot to look at on your embedded system

 

[Modify_inc]

go to windows update /installed updates /clock on the ones you want to remove and choose uninstall follow prompts -- when the updates come back next time you check them just click on them and select ''hide''

I would change the update settings to 'check for updates but let me choose to download and install '' that way you can inspect each one prior to downloading and installing the ones you may not want or need ?

looked interesting ??

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff769897(v=winembedded.60).aspx

looks like a bit of work on the embedded stuff ??

https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/45ba8045-e629-4745-9933-5fcfc2cc77ef/windows-updates-wont-apply-on-windows-embedded-7-standard-with-sccm-2012sp1-?forum=quebecservicingdeployment

Thanks for the reply, but did you read my entire post? If you did, you would know that is not possible.

 

[junkeymonkey]

well all I see from all I looked at its image dependent ?? so it seem you have to make a disk and add remove from that ?? like this update

''This update must be installed on a POSReady7 image as follows: ''

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30473

or this ''Use the information in the tables to access dependencies when adding and removing feature packages from your POSReady 7 image. ''

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/library/hh273178(v=winembedded.21).aspx

and this give little to no real info

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/library/Hh300717(v=WinEmbedded.21).aspx

 

[Modify_inc]

Maybe this is a starting point. It points to some Microsoft articles as well. https://support.symantec.com/en_US/article.TECH40069.html
Do you have save mode enabled on the system? https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/Bb499220%28v=WinEmbedded.51%29.aspx

The first article would seem to maybe work for my specific error message, but remember I have noway to run any of them from the desktop. So unless someone knows how to run them from a Live boot disc or other method, I'm still stuck.

The second article details how to enable safe mode, but I already have access to safe mode. The desktop is also locked down in safe mode.

 

[USAFRet]

I bought a used POS system that has Windows Embedded 7 on it and it has been working great for over a year now.

For any used system, your first move should be a full wipe and reinstall of the OS. Just my thoughts, anyway.

At this point, it needs a wipe and reinstall. You could spend a week or two trying to 'fix it', or reinstall and be done in 36 hours after updates.

Maybe on a regular desktop system for home or office but not a POS system that is preconfigured to work with my other POS units. I bought the complete system because it was ready to go and working. Re-installation of the POS Menu would without a doubt require me to purchase that $260 a month support package. I'm trying to fix the problem myself, which would be easy, if the greedy bastards didn't put so many restrictions on the system in the first place just to force the user to depend on them to repair every little thing.

I get what you're saying about 'the greedy bastids', but how much time/money are you willing to spend in managing this system, vs managing/growing your business?

If it came to you with locked down GPO, and you were not provided a way around that...either wipe and reinstall, or pay the dudes who applied that GPO in the first place.

Bottom line...did you buy/license the OS? Or are 'they' in charge of it?

It 'worked great' until you needed to make changes or updates. Save money up front (used system + OS), and pay later. Or pay more upfront (your own POS OS) and not have these hassles.

 

[junkeymonkey]

It looks like you got the iso/image you make updates and changes to that and ''embed'' that so that way no employee can enter and make any changes just from the keyboard ??

maybe best to find who services this stuff and get them to come over and show you .. someplace must service these pos systems for other stores or business and willing to set you back up

like these guys in my area

http://smile-pos.com/fl/about-panama_city_beach

 

[Modify_inc]

I bought a used POS system that has Windows Embedded 7 on it and it has been working great for over a year now.

For any used system, your first move should be a full wipe and reinstall of the OS. Just my thoughts, anyway.

At this point, it needs a wipe and reinstall. You could spend a week or two trying to 'fix it', or reinstall and be done in 36 hours after updates.

Maybe on a regular desktop system for home or office but not a POS system that is preconfigured to work with my other POS units. I bought the complete system because it was ready to go and working. Re-installation of the POS Menu would without a doubt require me to purchase that $260 a month support package. I'm trying to fix the problem myself, which would be easy, if the greedy bastards didn't put so many restrictions on the system in the first place just to force the user to depend on them to repair every little thing.

I get what you're saying about 'the greedy bastids', but how much time/money are you willing to spend in managing this system, vs managing/growing your business?

If it came to you with locked down GPO, and you were not provided a way around that...either wipe and reinstall, or pay the dudes who applied that GPO in the first place.

Bottom line...did you buy/license the OS? Or are 'they' in charge of it?

It 'worked great' until you needed to make changes or updates. Save money up front (used system + OS), and pay later. Or pay more upfront (your own POS OS) and not have these hassles.

And I get what your saying, but I'm a technician myself, and I'm not throwing in the towel yet until I have exhausted every possible method I can bring to the table. I know there is a backdoor or method of getting control over this system. I don't feel bad b/c I bought the system straight out and own it in full. I'm not under any contract or obligations to the company that sells them. They have hounded me from the beginning to buy their damn support package, and I have made it this far without it. I'm not about to let a few Windows updates bring me down...at least I hope not

 

[junkeymonkey]

well it still looks to me like you got to ''burn'' a iso with all the updates and all you need .. everything I looked at revolves around that '' POSReady 7 image. ''

and you install that and its tamper free with out it ??? -- so from here i'll call it over my head on all this just too much to read and understand for a simple thing to do ??

 

[USAFRet]

well it still looks to me like you got to ''burn'' a iso with all the updates and all you need .. everything I looked at revolves around that '' POSReady 7 image. ''

and you install that and its tamper free with out it ??? -- so from here i'll call it over my head on all this just too much to read and understand for a simple thing to do ??

And after a clean install with that, then you have whatever licensing issues exist. Windows POS is not 'free'.

 

[junkeymonkey]

ya, looks like a lot of research and learning curve for that ?? I can make head or tails on it that why I say go to a business machine place that carries support of them and grab there advice

looks like it for employee tampering and theft - you buy and burn a updated iso and it installs into memory as is and as you want on that dated release ??

i'll call it out of my league of knowledge just for what I looked up on this

 

[noidea_77]

Maybe this is a starting point. It points to some Microsoft articles as well. https://support.symantec.com/en_US/article.TECH40069.html
Do you have save mode enabled on the system? https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/Bb499220%28v=WinEmbedded.51%29.aspx

The first article would seem to maybe work for my specific error message, but remember I have noway to run any of them from the desktop. So unless someone knows how to run them from a Live boot disc or other method, I'm still stuck.

The second article details how to enable safe mode, but I already have access to safe mode. The desktop is also locked down in safe mode.

Well, if even the save mode desktop is locked down... But what about booting from a Windows 7 disk? Can you enter repair mode from there?
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=11887

 

[Modify_inc]

I resolved the issue...Just needed to reset the password on the other account that had admin privileges. Now I have full access to my system. Didn't need to uninstall the updates as I figured out how to resolve the specific error that resulted from the updates.

Life is so much easier on a computer when you have admin privileges!

 

[junkeymonkey]

I asked that way above ?

''loks like a bunch of homework ? being used the old user is still administrator and password protected and preventing you from making any of the changes ??''

anyway glad you resolved