Sheepdisease

Hello, my girlfriends laptop just downloaded and installed Windows Vista Service Pack 2 and initially it seemed the installation was running smoothly. Now I've installed the same service pack and the process went fine. However, hers will not get past the "Configuring Updates: Stage 3 of 3 - 0% complete" message.

How has this problem occurred and what can be done to resolve it? I have already searched for this problem, but reports discuss Service Pack1, not 2.

Sheepdisease

I forgot to mention, I have already tried 'Last Known Good Configuration' and 'System Restore' to an earlier point.. Both go back to the point just before the service pack was installed, so the update attempts to install from stage 1 and fails at stage 3. This is recurring!

pofolks

This remedy works for some and not for others. It involves deleting the pending.xml file in the winsxs folder: http://www.democraticunderground.com...ss=389x2914880

Sheepdisease

Hello pofolks, thank you for your response.

Unfortunately I cannot access the desktop using safe mode either, the same thing happens. If I could do this from command prompt then maybe the same is possible, but I'd need instructions.

GeorgeKS

Can you try booting from the Vista DVD and try the repair options from there?

Sheepdisease

The repair options on the DVD are the first thing I tried. I can access CMD from the DVD, but the other options simply recreate the problem. I've tried checking for bootup problems using startup repair and system restore.

Sheepdisease

I tried opening up CMD using the DVD and entered sfc /scannow, although it says that the directory it is currently in is X:\Sources. Strange... So I try 'cd c:', it shows up:

C:\

X:\Sources.

Trying sfc /scannow on X:\Sources makes the message 'Windows Resource Protection could not perform the required operation'.

So how do I get it to switch to C:\?

pofolks

Here's how to do it:

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I don't have X partition so I used D.

At the prompt type C:

Here's a KB article on the same subject under method 3 it says to edit the registry also. I have seen it work without editing the registry, but for your information I am providing the link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949358

Sheepdisease

Like I said, I tried to change to C:\ (Windows) partition, but it displays only what I mentioned above. Typing in 'c:' is the same as 'cd c:\'. I still get the same error.

Sheepdisease

I cannot access the desktop to edit the registry, not even in safe mode. Else I would delete that xml file mentioned. I need to do this via CMD, any ideas?

pofolks

I used the cd method before I posted before and double checked it stays on the same partition.

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If you can get to a command prompt on c: you can run regedit from the command line.

I don't know how you got to the command prompt. Was it through the repair options on the Vista DVD? Explain in detail how you got there.

Just checked the repair computer options on Vist DVD. It starts with
X:sources>type C: here and it will change to
C:>

Sheepdisease

Yes, it was through repair options on the Vista DVD.

Sheepdisease

This works: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949358, until I get to this stage: '# 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'.

Firstly, as it asks me to enter 'Offline_Components' and not 'Offline Components', this directory 'Offline Components doesn't exist'.

Then, when looking in 'Offline_Components', there are no such directories as 'AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving' and 'PendingXmlIdentifie'.

Sheepdisease

When I do a search for those files, they do exist... However, they do not exist in this directory so I am reluctant to delete them. They are the only existing file with those names in the whole of the registry too. They are found under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, but it does not highlight where exactly these are located.

pofolks

It wants you to load a hive from that folder C:\windows\system32\config\components. If that folder does not exist just skip this section and rename the pending.xml file. The registry keys to delete would have resulted from loading the hive. I don't think this applies to your situation.

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Sheepdisease

Thank you for your continued help, please stick with me on this.

Like I said, I managed to complete all the other steps. So therefore, I successfully loaded the hive and managed to create the key 'Offline_Components'.

Those files exist, but not in the correct directory.

Sheepdisease

I fixed the issue by renaming those files I mentioned previously, adding Bak to the end of each name.

pofolks

What is the status of SP2? Did it install correctly?

Sheepdisease

Good question, I'll just check.

Sheepdisease

Ah, says Service Pack 1.

Strange.