Windows Vista: Windows update went bad, now my PC is stuck in endless updating cycle
- 10/23/09 3:18 PM
When all else fails...
by northhillca - 10/18/09 9:13 AM In reply to: Windows update went bad, now my PC is stuck in endless updating cycle by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I had the same thing happened to me. I searched internet and obviously this problem is very common to Vista since last two years. There is a known workaround which requires you to boot from Vista installation disk and delete a certain file from system folder under DOS type command prompt but it may prevent you from updating vista in future or may make computer unusable if you try to install updates afterwards according to Microsoft. They also recommend re-installing Vista at the earliest after you retrieve your data.
Workaround:
Boot from Vista DVD
Select Repair Options
when it finds your Vista installation press next
When you are at the advanced options screen select Command Prompt
Navigate to C:\Windows\WinSxS
C: being the drive your Windows Vista is installed on, mine was on D: in command prompt
This is how
C: (Press Enter)
cd windows (Press Enter)
cd winsxs (Press Enter)
Now you should be at this screen
C:\Windows\WinSxS:>
type in here
del pending.xml (Press Enter)
reboot. Hope for the best or switch back to XP.
The other method
by adkiller2k7 - 10/24/09 3:44 AM In reply to: When all else fails... by northhillcaJust hit F8 like mad when starting vista and you will get a ton of options, select repair your computer and follow the steps above, I have to same problem and didn't find out this for months and I fixed it using the deleting pending.xml method and everything has been fine since then
reply to: Windows update went bad, now my PC is stuck in en
by andrewmarran - 10/18/09 10:40 AM In reply to: Windows update went bad, now my PC is stuck in endless updating cycle by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
try uninstalling the update that your pc downloaded by going to "control panel" --> programs --> installed actualizations (at the left of the program list) --> then uninstall the latest updates
Safe Mode option
by ceepeeteeess - 10/18/09 10:52 AM In reply to: Windows update went bad, now my PC is stuck in endless updating cycle by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
You could try to start your computer in the SAFE MODE. After doing so, you should be able to select a previous system restore point. Also, while in the SAFE MODE, configure Windows Update such that you select the option, "check for updates, but let me choose whether to download and install them". This way, when your system restore is complete, you can boot up and de-select the corrupt update from the list of available updates.
good luck,
Charlie
You haven't read much have you?
by adkiller2k7 - 10/24/09 3:45 AM In reply to: Safe Mode option by ceepeeteeessWhen you get the update which causes this bug, safe mode loops too, you have to use the "Del pending.xml" method or system restore to fix it
Windows update failure
by sunstruck - 10/18/09 11:47 AM In reply to: Windows update went bad, now my PC is stuck in endless updating cycle by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Try START
then Control Panel or
WindowsUpdate
then "Change settings" to stop the auto update
You are not alone. I couldn't find out anything about "error 646" but
I've been able to use hobbled computer to sent online support request to Microsoft.
Simple fix
by barny12345 - 10/19/09 5:01 AM In reply to: Windows update went bad, now my PC is stuck in endless updating cycle by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
to overcome the looping problem caused by windows update.
(1)incert a windows Vista or Windows 7 system disk in the drive
(2)switch on your computer
(3)when askedif you want to boot from Cd or DVD press any key
(4)Select your country when asked
(5)Select repair my computer
(6)Select repair my computer using system restore
When system restore has finished your computer will reboot as it did before you used windows update.
One final noteif your computer does not ask if you want to boot from CD or DVD you will have to get into the Bios or somtimes caled Cmos settings to set the CD/DVD drive as first boot device.
From Gary Barnacle home@thurcastonwebsites.com
endless cycle
by markathome99 - 10/19/09 7:29 AM In reply to: Windows update went bad, now my PC is stuck in endless updating cycle by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I too had this problem, but, with my XP machine. I simply identified the update on which it was failing and grab the KBxxx number for that update. Then go to Microsofts website and grab the update, save it to your desktop, then manually run it.
My problem was with the .Net framework updates. Thanks Microsoft...
Buy a Mac
by robains - 10/19/09 8:03 AM In reply to: Windows update went bad, now my PC is stuck in endless updating cycle by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Seriously, Microsoft products are Wal-Mart quality and will provide nothing but endless frustration.
Windows updates not installing could be any number of issues from:
1. Corrupted registry
2. Logitech camera software setting registry entry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SessionManager - PendingFileRenameOperations
3. Permissions issue
4. A bad earlier KB from Microsoft
Due to some BAD design decisions made many years ago by Microsoft OS development team, we have band-aid security with "special account", applications and drivers that ignore security, code that has been bloated over the many years from "trying" to retain compatibility.
Seriously, it's only getting worse in Windows 7 (have been using it ever since it was available on MSDN). Keep you Windows PC around, but if you want a sane, enjoyable computing experience without having to know what a registry is, what System Account is, what the "real" administrator account is, then get a Mac and never look back.
I have 27 years of experience with personal computers (yes a Mac is a PC too) and develop software professionally and make a lot of money doing it, I know my field.
Rob
Is this a solution to the member's current problem?
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 10/23/09 4:47 PM
In reply to: Buy a Mac by robains
Hi Rob,
I see a lot of these posts, "Buy a Mac", but does it help solve the user's current situation?
So when you run into a Mac issue do you go out and buy a PC? 
With these posts you make it seem like Macs have no technical issues at all and Macs will solve all problems including bringing world peace. I have nothing at all against Macs, Rob, but these type of posts to tell members to go "Buy a Mac" just because they run into a technical Windows issue contributes no value to the current discussion and often times derails the topic at hand.
So please if you have a solution for the user's issues, I completely welcome it, however if there is nothing constructive posted to help this user out, please don't post it at all.
I'm not singling you out Rob, as I've already removed several "Buy a Mac" posts by a few others. If people have something against Windows that's fine by me, but don't thread jack by posting these type of messages. So I'm asking that you and the other folks, to please simply respect the topic at hand and contribute for the purpose of resolving the community member's current technical situation.
Thanks for your understanding.
Cheers!
-Lee
computer keeps rebooting with update
by bjkimm21 - 10/19/09 9:50 AM In reply to: Windows update went bad, now my PC is stuck in endless updating cycle by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I had this happen to a friends computer and the only thing I could do was go to a restore point before this problem occurred. So far it seems to be working fine.
Did you try save mode?
by frans240 - 10/19/09 1:19 PM In reply to: Windows update went bad, now my PC is stuck in endless updating cycle by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
First thing that comes to mind and what I would do is to start Vista in save mode... When the laptop starts up keep pushing the F8 key. When you'll get the menu to choose save mode then do that. Once in save mode you can set your laptop back to the date before the painful update.
I would also suggest if you get it to work, to turn off the automatic window updates, you can get a window update just by checking the update website from windows once a week or so..
Let me know if this helps....
If this did not work, then we have to try something else....
Please do not try to reinstall Vista...that would mean you loose all of your data....
Cor
pc stuck in endless updating cycle.
by nabilalmasri - 10/19/09 6:27 PM In reply to: Windows update went bad, now my PC is stuck in endless updating cycle by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hello this is nabil almasri trying my best to share my opinion about this matter, and without going into details but rather sugesting that you use the computer original Cd that came along with the computer and its licience at the time of purchace and do asystem installation to software again from zero. if you dont have the oregional cd or the licience is expierd then you woud need to contact the manufacturer or microsoft to obtain anew copy with anew CD.
please let me know if this feed back was helpfull.
thank you.
nabil almasri.nabilalmasri@gmail.com
Which update was it?
by qqqq88 - 10/20/09 12:42 PM In reply to: pc stuck in endless updating cycle. by nabilalmasriWas it ever determined what specific update caused this? This thread has got me concerned about installing the updates that were released on 10/13
RE: Which update was it?
by sunstruck - 10/20/09 7:08 PM In reply to: Which update was it? by qqqq88by qqqq88 - 10/20/09 12:42 PM In reply to: pc stuck in endless updating cycle. by nabilalmasri
Was it ever determined what specific update caused this? This thread has got me concerned about installing the updates that were released on 10/13
Different updates may have failed for different users.
I have a desktop with Vista HomePremium and Office2007. This time 4 auto-updates failed again and again bc since October 13th I kept clicking "install and shut down" untill I realized Microsoft couldn't possibly be issuing that many updates in one week.
Microsoft Support sent me 2 page email w/i 24 hours RE: KB972581, KB974234, KB973636 and KB973709 with instructions on how search for them and install them manually to get them right. If I still get "error", I am to send screen shots.
A M$ update Specialist helped me fix updating in 2007.
Time will tell how well all this turns our for so many of us.
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