windows Fall creators update 1709 boot up freeze

I found out the solution and my system is starting properly now with 1709 - Fall Creators Update installed and VT-x enabled. I post my solution, cause maybe someone else is experiencing similar problem.

System was not starting even from cd, so I started to deal with bios settings.

After turning off VT-x functions system magically booted, but without virtualization support, which I need in vagrant for example, so in the end this option was no go for me.

Finally, I went through other BIOS settings, turned VT-x functions back on and turned on HD Audio in motherboard peripherals (I had it off since I am using another audio card).

Now everything works properly. So that was the trick turning on HD Audio.

I know that this solution sounds ridiculous and makes no sense, so I double checked it and turning HD Audio off caused system to freeze at boot again.

Note.

I believe this kind of error is tightly coupled with my specific (almost vintage) system configuration. I suspect the problem might be in really old BIOS (although latest ver) in my Motherboard so I post my system configuration:

  • DFI LANparty UT X58-T3eH8
  • Intel i7 965 Extreme
  • 12 GB Ram
  • Samsung SSD 850 Pro
  • Nvidia GeForce GTX 280
  • Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio

Had exactly the same issue - internal Audio disabled using a Sound-Blaster X-Fi PCI card. Turning VT-x off and enabling internal Audio was the trick here as well, system was proceeding with the 1709 update.
Different MB (ASUS Z170-WS) sorts out a firmware issue. After the update I enabled VT-x and disabled internal Audio again, system came back and VirtualBox is booting VMs without issues.

Booting Ubuntu VMs with VMware WS Pro hangs with a virtual keyboard error message (keyboard hook timeout value). Re-installing VMware tools (instead of the Ubuntu open-vmware package) was solving this problem as well.

Finally it might be a general problem with VT-x under certain circumstances, but thanks for the hint!