Latest Vista Update stuck in Stage 3/restart loop

Hi MNGyler,

You can use the solutions in this KB - 4 methods and I listed a little help for them below

The update is not installed successfully, you receive a message, and the computer restarts

when you try to install an update in Windows Vista and Windows 7

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949358

Method 1: Start Windows Vista/Windows 7 with the Windows installation media, and then

use the Repair feature

How to Do a Startup Repair in Vista and Windows 7

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91467-startup-repair.html

You can also do a Startup Repair from Safe Mode accessing the Recovery Options if you

have them available or use the DVD as above.

This tells you how to access the System Recovery Options - Vista

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/326b756b-1601-435e-99d0-1585439470351033.mspx

This tells you how to access the System Recovery Options - Windows 7

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Startup-Repair-frequently-asked-questions

Try StartUp Repair from Recovery Options

How to do a Startup Repair (Vista)

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91467-startup-repair.html

How to Run a Startup Repair in Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

Method 2: Start the system in safe mode, and then use the System Restore feature

How to Do a System Restore in Vista

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html

How to Do a System Restore in Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

You can also do a System Restore by booting up with a Vista or Windows 7 disk.

Method 3: Use the Downloads at the end of this article - note versions for Vista x86 32 bit

and Vista x64 64 bit.

The update is not installed successfully, you receive a message, and the computer restarts

when you try to install an update in Windows Vista and Windows 7

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949358

Method 4:

At the Command Prompt or Recovery Options or a Vista disk boot

Type or copy and paste these in one at a time (not the press ENTER)

c:windows\winsxs\ in the commandprompt      

press ENTER

DIR pending.*

press ENTER  and you should see the pending.xml

ren pending.xml pending.old

press ENTER.

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This is the older complete Method 4

Use the System Recovery options or Vista Boot Disk to rename the Pending.xml file and

edit the registry:

On the System Recovery Options page, click Command Prompt.

Type cd C:\windows\winsxs, and then press ENTER.

Type ren pending.xml pending.old, and then press ENTER.

Type regedit, and then press ENTER.

Select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

On the File menu, click Load Hive.

Locate the following folder:

C:\windows\system32\config\components

When you are prompted for a name, type Offline_Components.

In Registry Editor, locate and then delete the following registry

subkey:

HLKM\Offline Components\AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving

HKLM\Offline Components\PendingXmlIdentifier

Exit Registry Editor:

At the command prompt, type exit to exit Registry Editor.

Press ENTER.

Restart System

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Once you are in Windows again I would run the Reset here as a precaution.

How do I reset Windows Update components?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

---

If you can't get into Windows you need a Vista disk - if you do not have one you can

borrow a friends as the are not copy protected and the system maker will usually sell

you the physical disk cheap (you are only paying for the DVD as you already own Vista).

Or you can make a Repair Disk.

This tells you how to access the System Recovery Options and/or from a Vista DVD

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/326b756b-1601-435e-99d0-1585439470351033.mspx

If you need to make repair disks - these help repair Windows not re-install.

NeoSmart now charges $9.75 for their ISO images to make the disks.

How to Create a Vista Recovery Disc - Free methods

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/141820-create-recovery-disc.html

How to Make a Bootable Disk in Vista

http://www.brighthub.com/computing/windows-platform/articles/7050.aspx

Download: Windows Vista 32 bit (x86) Recovery Disc and Windows 7

http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/download-windows-vista-x64-recovery-disc/

Download: Windows Vista x64 Recovery Disc and Windows 7

http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/download-windows-vista-x64-recovery-disc/

How to Make a Windows Vista Repair Disk If You Don’t Have One

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/how-to-make-a-windows-vista-repair-disk-if-you-dont-have-one/ 

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If needed you can get free incident reports however the above should take care of it for you.

For Windows Updates - Free Incident Report

Go Here and Click -> Windows Update fails while scanning for, downloading, or installing updates

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport#tab3

For Security Updates you can get a Free Support Incident Report

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/resources/support.aspx

Hope this helps sort it out for you.

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Rob Brown - MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

Hi MS Answers Forum,

My wifes Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop came with Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit SP1, & I am yet to be impressed in any way with Vista. However it got along & just did the home PC job I suppose. That was until yesterday when she noticed a Auto Windows Update prompted to reboot. Since then we are stuck in this endless loop with "Stage 3 ..." page of a Windows update, with "...0% progress" shown.

I have followed all tips in every thread provided here, but we cannot get out of the loop. Even the Windows Reinstall DVD does not give us a restore mode option, just the few Safe Modes, which all end in same disappointing cycle.

I see may people refer to the "advanced Method 3" on this article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949358, but that article only gives 2 solution options ...

Article ID: 949358 - Last Review: October 21, 2009 - Revision: 4.2

Method 1: Start Windows with the Windows installation disc, and then use the Repair feature

Method 2: Start the computer in safe mode, and then use the System Restore feature

If I choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt, I see Windows loading all its SYS files, but never goes into a Welcome Screen or System Recovery command mode, just another boot cycle.

Any further ideas please?

Thanks MNGyler

I Had Exactly The Same Problem With My SP2 Download You Can Be Stupid And Open Your Hard Drive And Disconnect Everything Or You Can Reinstall Windows Vista Insert Your Disc And Boot From It Or If You Don't Have A Disc You Can Grab A Blank One And Burn The Files Onto It P.S You Need A DVD RW Disc!

no welcome prompt...........................