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
    2009-11-23T07:36:26+00:00

    yeah i tried to do that. the problem was that it showed me no restore points created. and it wont move any further cuz i am "running the computer in a limited diagnostic state".

    thanks for ur patience btw spirit

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  2. Anonymous
    2009-11-23T07:29:35+00:00

    You can do a System Restore from Safe Mode or the Command Prompt of Recovery Options or a Vista boot disk.

    Same way you are doing anything on the system.

    See the link

    C:\Windows\System32\rstrui.exe

    Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-11-23T07:29:01+00:00

    btw i was also able to open system restore via dos just now. and my doubts were right. no system restore points have been created.

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-11-23T07:24:17+00:00

    But this is possible only if i can log onto windows right?

    the problem initially itself was the restarting loop. plus, i am not even sure if there were any restore points created automatically.

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