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
    2013-08-28T04:27:30+00:00

    ...This was after purchasing on-line software programs that said they could resolve this issue.

    And these "on-line software programs" were?

    
*CrystalBall© sez...*

If you ever think your Registry needs to be cleaned, repaired, boosted, tuned-up, cured, tweaked, fixed, maximized, "swept" or optimised (it doesn't), read
[http://chris.pirillo.com/are-registry-cleaners-safe-to-use/](http://chris.pirillo.com/are-registry-cleaners-safe-to-use/) and/or
[http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2005/04/why-i-dont-use-registry-cleaners/](http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2005/04/why-i-dont-use-registry-cleaners/) then draw your own conclusions.  Related =>
[http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2563254](http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2563254)

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-08-28T03:21:56+00:00

    Took my PC with this issue to two different computer repair shops in my region and neither were able to fix this frustrating issue. This was after purchasing on-line software programs that said they could resolve this issue.

    The second repair facility had to install a brand new operating system. They were able to save all my family photos. Everything else was lost. and new anti-viral protection package.

    However, I now have a functional computer again.

    -

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-08-22T20:27:15+00:00

    Hi Trevor C,

    You should find pending.xml at the bottom of the C:\windows\winsxs folder. Way down the bottom. Hope this helps.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-08-22T16:35:04+00:00

    I have tried this repeatedly and have used Administrator level when accessing Command Prompt but the system replies with cannot locate pending.xml, I don't know what to try next.

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