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
    2013-08-19T02:50:37+00:00

    It would seem from the many replies to this post, reporting its successful implementation, that the above procedure is the fix.

    I've tried it and got most of the way through to Registry Editor, but unfortunately, couldn't find the two subkeys:

    HLKM\Offline Components\AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving

    HKLM\Offline Components\PendingXmlIdentifier

    Can anyone help with a little more detail please?

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-08-17T21:13:52+00:00

    i dont get it do i prress f8 or f10

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-08-13T14:28:24+00:00

    Well, I'm guessing I am another victim of the Vista Windows update problems.

    I took it to Geek Squad in Tulsa, OK but they claim they are unable to fix it without the original factory reboot/restore disc. The laptop is 6 years old. If I ever had such a disc, I don't recall and wouldn't know where to begin to look if I did.

    The laptop is non useable now but turns on.

    Since you have experience with this issue, how would you suggest I proceed?

    Thank you

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-08-13T14:21:29+00:00

    Don't know if you will see this given you posted 4 years ago. I have the exact same issue with a laptop stuck in a Windows Vista Update Stage 3.

    Did you find a solution? IF so, was it a computer repair facility or on line software downloaded, burned to a CD and run in the problem laptop?

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