vista in restart loop

[lgrenter]

my vista is stuck in a restart loop. iget the message configuring updates stage 3 of 3 0% complte. then it says shutting down and it reboots back to the same config message. i have tried safe mode but istead of going to the safe desktop it just goes to that config message and restarts again. it does the same if i use the use last good config option from the safe menu. before this started i was running a reg defrag, so i think it is causing this loop. how can i get vista to restart as i cant get to the desktop for a restore. this has been running cont since yesterday.

[bill11uk]

Have you run Computer repair

[lgrenter]

do you mean repair vista using the vista disk? did that disk ran.found no problems to repair.this is driving me mad.is there no way to stop this configure from running each time? remember safe mode etc just go back to the configure message.

[killieman]

This sometimes has an effect.
You need a Vista DVD to boot from.
Once you have booted up with the Vista DVD / Recovery Disc

Hit Repair Options and select command prompt

Now type in

C:
cd WindowsWinSXS
del pending.xml

After a restart, it may appear to go into the loop again, but let it run and it should get into restore points...that is if you have any.

[lgrenter]

thanks for that, tried it late last night and bingo! allowed me to get to the restore options. system now fine and updates installed correctly. cheers!

[killieman]

Originally Posted by lgrenter

thanks for that, tried it late last night and bingo! allowed me to get to the restore options. system now fine and updates installed correctly. cheers!

Should have said also to send automatic updates to the furthest corner of the known universe while you are in the innards of the m/c.