Vista Continuous cycle of reboot / configuring updates

[Braindead]

Hi
A friend asked me to have a look at his laptop - after installing updates it goes into a continuous cycle of "configuring updates - stage 3 of 3 0% complete" and then shuts down and re-boots , starting the cycle again.

I have tried booting the computer into safe mode, but get the same problem.

By pressing del > f8 on startup I can get to the Windows repair utility and have tried a couple of different system restore points but still get the same problem. (At the moment I'm waiting for him to bring the power lead around as the battery is now drained.)

I don't know which of the Windows updates has caused the issue as it hadn't been updated in a while.

Any suggestions? The OS is Windows Vista Home Premium. I've tried googling but most of the results seem to relate to Vista SP1, which I'm sure isn't the problem because of when it occurred.

If it were my computer, I'd just do a fresh install or even update to Windows 7, but that isn't an option, unfortunately.

Thanks in advance.

[mgmcc]

Can you boot into "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" and then run System Restore from the prompt by typing in:

%SystemRoot%\system32\rstrui.exe

[Braindead]

Thanks, I'll give that a try , but it'll probably be tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes, but if anyone's got any other suggestions, please suggest them.

[Braindead]

I have managed to find a restore point that breaks the configuring updates / rebooting cycle - from 17th August - it's a point that isn't related to updates, but installing Direct X.

I have since tried installing different updates shown as required from that date onwards (4 different types, singly and in groups), but it doesn't matter which update(s) I try I always get to this same cycle, and have to restore again.

It seems therefore that it isn't a single update that's the problem, but the update process. Any suggestions?

[BurrWalnut]

Try these:

1. Sometimes the update log will give a clue as to the reason/error. Go to the Windows Orb (Start), type %windir%\windowsupdate.log and press Enter. To find the error(s), go to the end of the file (Ctrl+End) then use ‘Find’ (Ctrl+F) to check for the word 'fatal', use search ‘Up’ to search upwards from the end of the file. There is more information here http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/902093
2. You could try stopping the Windows Update service, rename the software distribution folder then restart the service, as follows:
2a. Make sure you are logged on as an Administrator, click the Windows Orb (Start), type services.msc and press Enter. Scroll down to Windows Update service, right-click it then click Stop.
2b. Click the Windows Orb (Start), type %windir% in the Start Search box and then press Enter. Locate and rename the SoftwareDistribution folder to, say, SoftwareDistributionOLD. By renaming the folder your update history will appear to have been erased as it is not presented to the Windows Update website. However, updates can still be viewed by going to Control Panel > Classic View > Programs and Features > View Installed Updates.
2c. Go back to Administrative Tools > Windows Update service (Provide the Administrator password or confirmation if prompted to do so), right-click it then click Start. Try to download the updates again.

[jakjon]

hi,,it appears i am getting same problem and also looking for help,i have just found an error 0x80070643 ,would like to know if you have same error as me
regards

[BurrWalnut]

Windows update error codes are listed here http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/ph/6527/

[Braindead]

Hi
thanks for your help so far. Looking at the Windows update log gives 2 fatal error messages at various points; 0x80073712 and 0x80070005. I'm currently following the advice on Microsoft Support to address these, & will let you know how I get on.

[Braindead]

Well, there's only so much time you can spend on a problem, so I've decided a clean install is the answer here.
Thanks anyway for your help, folks.

[opal1]

Hi braindead. I know this message is of no use to you but I switched off my auto updates months ago. I read and hear of so many disasters when updates are installed, that I often wonder if it is worth the flippin' agro. My laptop works just fine without all the fiddling from Microsoft.

No doubt this post may cause a landslide of replies from the "Oh You Must Keep Up Your Up-Dates On Pain Of Death" brigade.