NEED HELP ASAP: Computer updates getting stuck

[NewcastleFlyer]

I need help ASAP.

After I tried to do a full scan with the included Norton Anti-virus, it was taking about an hour just to "initialize", so I restarted the computer, but the updates seems to have got stuck on the third update and it said that it is installing 3 of 4 updates.

But the 3rd update has been on for over 1 hour.
It is as though it is stuck

It states

"Keep your PC on until this is done.
Installing update 3 or 4

Could just one part of an update take more than one hour?

Importantly because the 3rd update is taking well over an hour, should I attempt to re-start my computer?

Edit-1: Note sure if this a related or not, but according to this Microsoft Article you may need to restart the computer. It may take up to three restarts.

Edit-2: I did that, and at the moment, it seems to have fixed, although not entirely sure.
Edit-3: I just shut it down, and in a few moments, will start it again.

[john13]

Hi,

What's being updated? If it's Norton, what version for what OS ( ie XP/Vista etc) I have Norton and could look at what the current updates are I think. Any file references?

Were you offered a selection of updates, or was this 'auto'

There were M$ updates last night for Win7, and a follow-up Adobe update too.

(edit)

Could just one part of an update take more than one hour?

might depend on connection speed etc, but seems unlikely. You could look at the Task Manager to see whats running and whether anything is using a lot of CPU time. It could also be a symptom of a slow PC and fairly full disk - as I found with my Brother-in-law's PC.

[NewcastleFlyer]

If it is slow, I'd be returning it.

But at the moment, the problem seems to be fixed.