Vista stuck on windows update 3 of 3

Question

Vista x32 ultimate stuck on window update 3 of 3 - keeps rebooting.

Dont have the os disk to hand to repair, safemode - all 3 dont work.

Advanced options - last known config - doesnt work either

Any suggestions

Solution 1

This worked for me: I did not have an OS disc available.

BE AWARE – Manually changing system files is highly risky – exhaust all other avenues first.

From link http://www.tipandtrick.net/2008/endless-reboot-loop-while-configuring-updates-stage-3-of-3-during-vista-sp1-installation/

I could see a possible solution was to delete or rename the file C:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml

When I tried by going into System Repair and choosing the command prompt boot option it appeared to let me rename this file to something else – but in the background Vista had not changed the file for the system as a whole - only for my user login.

Therefore I connected the hard disc from the ailing computer into a working Vista PC. I booted up the working PC – and was then able to follow the instructions in the following link: www.vistaheads.com/forums/microsoft-public-windowsupdate/181710-re-error-number-80073712-a.html

i.e.

run a command prompt with "Run as Administrator".

Type in the following commands:

takeown /f C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml

cacls C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml /G <YourUsername>:F

I was then able to copy pending.xml off as a backup.

then I deleted the file.

I ran checkdisk and returned the hard disc to it’s computer. This time on boot Vista did not get stuck on the endless reboot cycle.

Solution 2

The idea of removing the pending.xml from c:\windows\winsxs is a great idea but also you should move/delete any other files in that folder starting with pending.xml. and allow Windows update to build a fresh new update check, the first check takes a while but usually carries on from where the updates got up to without problems.

In my case I used Hirens Boot CD to boot the Mini Windows XP to allow me to access c:\windows\winsxs

Made a folder in the root called c:\pendings and moved all files starting with pending.xml to that folder, if you are a DOS box fan then the following is a nice fast repair...

Assuming C: is where your windows folder resides...

md c:\pendings

move c:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml*.* c:\pendings

shutdown -r -t 0

Comments

[Admin]

Have you unplugged all cables and devices from the computer?

[Christoph Rüegg]

Question clearly states that he does not have the disk

[UNK]

Answer clearly states he has to get the disk from "somewhere"

[CarlF]

You could change the file without fiddling with hardware by booting an Ubuntu or other LiveCD.