Latest Vista Update stuck in Stage 3/restart loop

Anonymous
2009-07-26T19:43:12+00:00

I have Vista Business system on a Toshiba notebook, latest Service Pack and with all updates.  It was fully functional when i last shut it down.  I just booted it up to find the Stage 3 page of a Windows update.  0% progress shown, then it restarts, and opens at the same page again.  Stuck in this loop.  Have tried using F8 to get last good installation, and to stop auto restart, without success, it just keeps returning to the Stage 3 page and reboots.  Tried Systems Repair which offered a System Restore, but that wouldn't start.  System Repair now just keeps showing progress (for 3/4 hour) without any HD activity.  I shut it down and it still restarts at same Stage 3 page.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2009-07-29T01:37:10+00:00

Configuring updates stage 3 of 3. 0% complete

Road Map:

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

Use the System Recovery options 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.

Click Restart.

Kindly reply to me if the steps worked.

Was this answer helpful?

60+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

166 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2011-07-02T22:48:15+00:00

    Hi TheresaWojtasiewicz,

    See my reply on Page 7 of this thread for the methods to solve this

    issue. The methods have evolved since this thread was started in

    July , 2009.

    This same thread - page 7 - has methods for Vista and Windows 7

    and instructions for making a Repair Disk for either.

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-windows_update/latest-vista-update-stuck-in-stage-3restart-loop/2f70b13c-9db4-4bf9-90ee-7ca63a809973?page=7

    If you need more assistance please start your own thread with the

    information we need to help us help you.

    How to ask a question

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

    Hope this helps.

    Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2011-07-02T22:36:37+00:00

    It didn't work for me. I couldn't change the directory to C:, so I couldn't change the file name pending.xml. 

    I tried System Restore as per the link and that didn't work either.

    Am I doomed?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2011-06-30T17:42:22+00:00

    Frankly, I HATE MICROSOFT MORE THAN ANYONE/ANYTHING ELSE IN TGHE WORLD.  If I had to get back from Microsoft 10€ per hour lost running after the bugs of its stupid softwares (Vista more than anything else), I would have a few tens of thousand € in the bank.  Today, I have lost all day long just trying to fix this bug and no joy yet.

    MICROSOFT SHAME ON YOU

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2011-06-30T14:19:01+00:00

    Hi...I am having the same problem, and am struggling to submit a question

    I cannot get out of the loop and dont have the Vista Disc...I don't think we got one from Acer?

    So, how can I break the loop to get to DOS

    I saw that one of the options was as follows, but I tried this but never go a welcome screen, just the same loop

     1.     Restart your computer if it is powered on.

     2.     Tap the F8 key after your computer initially powers on.

     3.     Once you see the Advanced Boot Options menu you can stop tapping.

     4.     Use the up/down arrow keys to highlight your selection.

     5.     Select Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter.

     6.     You should see drivers loading, and then please wait for the welcome screen.

     7.     Logon to your computer using an account with Administrator privileges.

    I have the similar problems, but after selecting Safe Mode with Networking, drivers are loaded but no Welcome screen.. what should I do next? Please help.. Ths

    kevinlum

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments