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

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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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-07-11T16:36:39+00:00

    Could not find subkey: HLKM\Offline Components\AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving

    I even did a search for it in the registry editor and it didn't find anything

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-07-06T16:05:26+00:00

    Thanks very much, this worked on 7/6/2012 for me.  In rededit I just searched (ctrl F) for the AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving and PendingXmlIdentifier values and then deleted the entries.  The system showed the windows update stage 3 of 3 screen but did not reboot and instead shhowed the login screen.  Thanks again.

    Best Regards,

    George  ******@aol.com

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-06-16T12:14:17+00:00

    While this is an old thread, be advised that I encountered this Vista Stage 3/Restart Loop in June, 2012.  I spent 12 hours trying to get it resolved.....aaaahhh!   I tried MickyO's suggestion, but couldn't get to a Command prompt.  Finally was able to do a system restore (even though I kept getting an error message saying the restore failed...gggrrr!).  Up and running now. 

    Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread; without your suggestions, I'd be screwed. 

    After this fiasco, it may be time to seriously consider a Mac.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-06-14T15:49:03+00:00

    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.

    I have same issue on windows updates and I just followed MickyO post  works for me....

    Thanks very much

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