Installing windows updates hanging

[Timmie]

Well I just built my new computer and I installed the last of the drivers (hopefully). And then restarted, so now windows is at the blue screen (not the BSOD) installing its own updates, but its stuck at 19 of 83 (Yeah, 83!) and it's been there for about 30mins, I know it's not frozen, because it changes from "Installing Update 19 Of 83" to "Please do not turn off; windows will power off automatically" and back.
I'm gonna let it go for a while longer, but I just wondered what would happen if I do cut the power, if it really is stuck? Will the OS be corrupted? Or would it simply try to install again on the next reboot? I hope it doesn't come to this, but I have never had windows take this long to install updates...And I fear the worst.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[porterjw]

General rule of thumb is to not turn off a Windows-based OS while it's updating. It may just be that this particular update takes a while in install. For example, I have an XP Cd with SP1. After an Install and Activation, the first two rounds of updates fly right through, but the SP2 Download takes about 15 minutes to download, then about 50 minutes in install. At one point it seems like it's hanging on one spot for about 30 minutes (status bar stops and everything) but all of a sudden it will complete.

Go clean something or watch TV for a bit, then come back and see what it's doing.

 

[Timmie]

Yeah, I'm not getting inpatient or anything, but I figured I would cover my bases just in case. I'm not too worried because the screen changes from the "installing" message to "don't power off" message, so I know its not frozen, or anything like that.
Oh, thanks for the help

EDIT/UPDATE: It has now been trying to install the 19th update for 4 hours. I'm gonna let it go through the night and hope its done in the morning...Or I will have to voluntary corrupt my OS. Oh joy!