Vista stuck in infinite loop

[TW]Fox · 18 Feb 2008 at 18:13

Hi guys,

Girlfriends laptop is playing up. It's got Vista Home Premium on it.

Basically, it boots, goes to a screen declaring its configuring updates, then it shuts itself down, then it boots to a screen declaring its configuring updates, repeat ad finitum.

Any suggestions?

Deathwish · 18 Feb 2008 at 18:21

Safe Mode and see whats on the Startup list?

I use http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml standalone and run with Admin privs.

[TW]Fox · 18 Feb 2008 at 19:21

Does it in safe mode as well. Even last known good. It's just stuck in this annoying loop. Cannot get into Windows

yantorsen · 18 Feb 2008 at 19:24

can you not even get to restore?

if not if it has nothing on it, it'd probably be quicker to reformat and reinstall.

gary996 · 18 Feb 2008 at 19:25

Insert the vista disk and boot from that

NightSt@lk3r · 18 Feb 2008 at 19:35

Vista SP1 RTM off Windows Update by any chance? if so its a known problem with some system configurations, i have no solution for you tho.

[TW]Fox · 18 Feb 2008 at 20:07

I've no idea what update she tried to install, and I've not got the discs to hand either

I also have no idea what configuration the machine is (ie if its partitioned or what) or if any of her data will be lost if I format C:\.

Nightmare.

[TW]Fox · 18 Feb 2008 at 20:19

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Get-...tes-Stage-3-of-3-0-with-Vista-SP1-78933.shtml

It's this problem. Is there ANY way to repair this without the Media? I don't have a Vista Home Premium CD here, I've only got Vista Business.

SexyGreyFox · 18 Feb 2008 at 20:28

I went to somebody's house on saturday and it was stuck on Configuring Updates Stage 3 of 3 0% complete and nothing I did could get out of it.
It did it in Safe Mode, I couldn't repair, I couldn't go back to another restore etc.

[TW]Fox · 18 Feb 2008 at 21:08

I've now got the CD's for the machine - a 'Recovery CD' (god I hate these) and the 'Windows Anytime Upgrade' pack, which I've no idea what does.

Will try the Recovery CD first..

SiHH · 18 Feb 2008 at 21:14

[TW]Fox;11129884 said:
I've now got the CD's for the machine - a 'Recovery CD' (god I hate these) and the 'Windows Anytime Upgrade' pack, which I've no idea what does.

Will try the Recovery CD first..

Wouldnt do that if I were you - Recovery CD means formatage !

BigJon · 18 Feb 2008 at 21:14

Use the anytime disk, its a normal Vista install disk rebranded, the recovery disk might not help, what model laptop is it

Chabsy · 18 Feb 2008 at 21:28

Cant you take the hard drive out and stick it into another machine with a 2.5 to 3.5 adaptor get off what you need then format

[TW]Fox · 18 Feb 2008 at 22:22

All fixed - downloaded an ISO of the recovery console.

platty · 18 Feb 2008 at 22:24

[TW]Fox;11130428 said:
All fixed - downloaded an ISO of the recovery console.

is it easy to fix with that?

Got called to fix my mums machine 2nite with this error, seems very common. Thought Vista was a joke as it was before I saw this ridiculous **** up.

[TW]Fox · 19 Feb 2008 at 00:33

Yes very - you can just select a restore point. It's that simple

SexyGreyFox · 19 Feb 2008 at 08:59

[TW]Fox;11131329 said:
Yes very - you can just select a restore point. It's that simple

I was able to get to the Recovery Panel but when I clicked on Restore it wouldn't do it

However, you've given me an idea.
I will ring them up and tell them to make their own restore point when they've got it set up how they want.

Immsy · 20 Feb 2008 at 22:23

Loads of people have had this, girlfriend asked me yesterday to help her and she explained the exact same problem. Hoping she has the Vista CD

pogomonkeh · 20 Feb 2008 at 23:05

this infinate loop can be caused by an update which is meant to get the comp ready for vista sp1 :s

http://www.dailytech.com/Vista+SP1+Update+Process+Kills+Some+PCs+Microsoft+Responds/article10781.htm