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
    2009-11-23T06:53:47+00:00

    Hi Spirit,

    I am trying to edit the registry only. Please see the exact problem i am facing. I did the steps mentioned by MickyO for editing the registry. Just stuck at one point. See if you can solve it.

    thanks.

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  2. Anonymous
    2009-11-23T06:38:03+00:00

    Hi Sammy,

    Do this to leave Windows Updates on (after you gain access) and to stop Driver Updates from loading.

    How To Disable Automatic Driver Installation In Windows Vista - Drivers

    http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-disable-automatic-driver-installation-in-windows-vista/

    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc730606(WS.10).aspx

    You can use the solutions in this KB - 3 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

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

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

    How to Do a Startup Repair in Vista

    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

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

    Try StartUp Repair from Recovery Options

    How to do a Startup Repair

    http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91467-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

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

    Method 3: Rename the Pending.xml file, and then edit the registry (This method is part of the advanced troubleshooting.)

    See the KB article below for this.

    You can use this method on updates that have this issue.

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

    Hide the Update (Right Click - HIDE in Windows Updates) and go to the Microsoft download center to download

    and install it.

    Microsoft Download Center

    http://www.microsoft.com/DOWNLOADS/en/default.aspx

    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

    Hope this helps sort it out for you.

    Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-11-23T06:37:26+00:00

    Hey MickyO,

    i tried what you have mentioned in your post. but just a slight problem that i am facing..

    after HKLM\Offline Components i cannot find the following two

    1. HLKM\Offline Components\AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving
    2. HKLM\Offline Components\PendingXmlIdentifier

    Although i did find the registries at the following location:

    HLKM\Components\AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving
    HKLM\Components\PendingXmlIdentifier

    and

    HKLM\Software\Microsoft\windows\Current Version\SideBySide\AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving HKLM\Software\Microsoft\windows\Current Version\SideBySide\PendingXmlIdentifier

    So should i delete these two from the above mentioned location?

    i have vista home premium installed btw.

    Please advice asap.

    regards, Sammy

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