Thanks, the number is KB2836939 and is a Win7 x86 update.
There is also a (failed) KB915597 ‘Defender’ update which the other download is preventing from completing.
Even if I cancel the KB2836939 update Windows will automatically try to install it at boot down - then the computer just hangs - forever if I don’t do a manual switch off.
OK that is a dotnet update, a high percentage of these fail
This could be a .Net problem, so we will need to uninstall and then re-install .Net framework
This could be a .Net problem, so we will need to uninstall and then re-install .Net framework
Download Dontetfx cleanup tool. zip to your desktop
Unzip the tool
Run the exe file
Click throught the EULA popups
Select All Version
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/dotnetfx.JPG
Once done reboot the computer
Download then run the Net 4.0 installer from here
Then install
Reboot and try Updates and Office again please
Thanks, it’s difficult to tell if that programme has done its work or is waiting for a response from the computer? The highlight in red is mine.
quote
[08/24/13,22:21:14] Found entry {3C3901C5-3455-3E0A--0B093A5070A6}, performing action now
[08/24/13,22:21:14] MsiQueryProductState returned INSTALLSTATE_DEFAULT for product code {3C3901C5-3455-3E0A--0B093A5070A6}
[08/24/13,22:21:14] MsiGetProductInfo returned C:\Windows\Installer\38309e8.msi for locally cached MSI path
[08/24/13,22:21:14] Locally cached MSI exists, running msiexec /x now
[08/24/13,22:21:14] Launching process ‘C:\Windows\system32\msiexec.exe /x {3C3901C5-3455-3E0A-****-0B093A5070A6} /qn’ now
[08/24/13,22:21:14] Process successfully launched. Waiting 900 seconds for it to complete.
unquote.
I tried again, this time in Safe Mode
[08/24/13,22:39:21] Section [Registry - .NET Framework 4] - stop parsing entries
[08/24/13,22:39:21] Not running action ‘Registry - .NET Framework 4 (Wow6432Node)’ for product ‘.NET Framework - All Versions (Windows 7)’ because the OS condition does not match
[08/24/13,22:39:21] ERROR Cleanup failed for product .NET Framework - All Versions (Windows 7)
It looks like Cleanup is not going to address this issue?
Ps. very slight good news thanks, is that I was able to restart normally, but out of Safe Mode. I have not been able to restart or shut down properly for several days now, and have to shut down manually which I don’t like doing, but there is no option at the moment.
The other option is to either remove them all manually via control panel or hide all dotnet updates
OK what would I look for in Control Panel please?
It should be under Microsoft .net framework
Can’t see it - Belarc found these, but I don’t know where?
Microsoft® .NET Framework Version 2.0.50727.4927
Microsoft® .NET Framework Version 3.0.6920.4902
Microsoft® .NET Framework Version 4.0.31106.0
Found this:
[i]OTL Extras logfile created on: 28/08/2011 17:32:18 - Run 1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Uninstall List
“{3C3901C5-3455-3E0A-A214-0B093A5070A6}” = Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile
“Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile” = Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile[/i]
These are Microsoft glitches - I guess my computer is PUP safe for the moment though, is that correct please?
Thanks.
Yes, you are just suffering from the dotnet problem
You could try Revo uninstaller to remove the dotnet programmes
Thanks. I thought I’d got it sorted yesterday. I did a shut down just to see, and the computer shut down like it used to. But several hours later I shut down and the computer hung again. I manually shut down then rebooted into Safe Mode. Then I restarted in Safe Mode and the computer booted. I was able to shut down normally from there.
This morning, when I booted as normal my IP wouldn’t open, in fact trying to open the IP crashed the computer. I manually shut down I and booted again to try a system restore but then realised any activity in normal mode crashed the computer. I then tried system restore in Safe Mode, that went fine and am now crossing fingers thumbs and holding breath. Am typing this from a laptop.
Will update 
Okay, I got system restored but my IP needs to restart in order to function, and the restart is blocked by .NET trying to download again, which has hung the restart. I wonder if I can restart the IP in Safe Mode though?
I got the IP to open in Safe Mode Networking but now it’s not asking for a restart, so something is seriously muddled in normal mode - there’s nothing wrong with my Internet connection to my email account.
I did this! At first the Revo log said it couldn’t access .NET because .Net hadn’t installed properly, but then another window opened showing .NET in the Registry - two items - and allowed me to check and delete them. But I’m still in Safe Networking Mode - what happens when I reboot :-o
Here goes …
… thanks but no, I’m still in deep. Microsoft .NET application has now swallowed 3 whole days of my life - thanks Microsoft! As soon as I go into normal mode the computer freezes. It opened the desktop with a “cmd” dialogue box which was blank - I have never seen that box there at startup, something wrong. I also noticed after the Revo download my icons had moved around, that is usually a sign that a PUP has arrived so am doing a full Avast scan in Safe Mode.
Will update - am on laptop again
To me it appears more that you have a windows system problem as opposed to anything else
It might be worth running SFC /scannow from an elevated command prompt
Sounds cool thanks - what is that please and how would I go about it?
Go start > All Programs > Accessories >
Right click Command Prompt and select “Run as Administrator”
In the black box that open type the following command :
sfc /scannow
Once it has completed then reboot and let me know how it is behaving
Scanning now thanks 
It scanned right through 100% and I restarted into normal running mode. I can immediately see something is wrong because IE Bing fails to appear now. As soon as I click on anything with the mouse I get the hour glass - in other words, crash. In Safe Mode the computer functions normally, that must be a bit diagnostic.
I did Scannow in Safe Mode because I cannot do anything in normal running mode at the moment.
Should I try another System Restore, how far back can I go - would this reintroduce .NET again?
Lets try the clean boot and see if it is a driver conflict. Read this carefully before beginning
Next we will check for driver conflicts
Step 1: Start MSConfig
Click Start, type msconfig in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or provide confirmation.
Step 2: Configure Selective Startup options
1.In the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click Selective Startup on the General tab.
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/Cleanboot1.JPG
2.Click to clear the Load Startup Items check box.
Note The Use Original Boot.ini check box is unavailable.
3.Click the Services tab.
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/cleanboot2.JPG
4.Click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box.
5.Click Disable All, and then click OK.
6. When you are prompted, click Restart.
Once back in windows does the problem still occur ?
Thanks there, I am holding on for a while. I did another System Restore - this time it gave me the option to ‘undo’ so I thought .NET with was better than .NET without = no computer, so I went for that.
Much to my amazement the computer started normally and IE Bing re-appeared, this also gave me precious time to back up some more files which I wouldn’t want to lose if the worst came to the worst. Most of the important stuff I have copied to external hard drives.
Will update and if necessary print out your instructions to guide me.
Thanks again