stuck in a loop..

marmalize

ok...be gentle..not completely comp literate..

a friends sons computer is stuck in an update loop..

"configuring updates stage 3 of 3 0% complete do not turn off the computer"

then it just says 'shutting down' and reboots to the same screen..makes no difference when started in safe/safe with networking mode etc...still the same loop..

is there an easy step to break this cycle and get me to the start-up screen or shall i send it to the menders(it is covered by insurance)

thanks in advance..

Toxteth_OGrady

Try boot into Safe Mode and do a System Restore to an earlier date.

marmalize

safe mode gives same result...

don't have a 'recovery' disc (this is the google advice)

what next?
thanks

Enterprise_1701C

Mine did that for a while on one of the Microsoft updates, but it only cycled a few times and then logged in.

Is there a safe point at which you can power it off during one of the loops, maybe when it has just shut down, and leave it off for a while, just to see if it will allow it to settle down. With mine I just undid the update when it was logged in and changed the settings. Do not do this unless you are sure it is totally shut down - we had a power cut on a big update on my son's pc and had to hand it over to an IT friend so don't take risks!

Maybe you can get into safe mode when you restart it, I think it may be F8 you press as soon as you start it, hopefully that will allow you to do a system restore and change the settings on the updates.

RussJK

What version of Windows? Download a recovery disc

marmalize

windows 7

had a look on google ..tried to download a recovery disc but that didn't work either(don't know if i downloaded it correctly)

Mista_C

Have a look at the updates to see if there is an update for .net framework 4 (I can't remember the exact update title). Note down the KB number and download the standalone installer from Microsoft.

Look in Programs and Features (show all updates) and if it is installed already uninstall it. Now re-install it using the standalone installer.

Restart the computer then go back to Windows Update and see if it is still listed. If it is then hide it so Windows doesn't try to install it again.

marmalize

can't access start menu at all...just blue update screen...even in safe mode it just goes to updates then shut down then re-boot to same screen....again and again..


oh..and on the advance boot menu there is no option to "repair your computer" as google searches keep telling me to go to...

eyeinthesky

You will probably think I am barking mad, but does the machine have a memory card or stick plugged in to it? If so can you try with these removed?

If the above does not apply, then this may be of some use. I had this problem on my vista desktop some time ago, and the solution I found worked for me. You need to get to a command prompt, so try hitting f8 on boot and choose safe mode with command prompt. If you can get this, then type the following;

cd C:\windows\winsxs then press enter
del pending.xml then press enter
exit then press enter

Reboot your computer, and then visit windows update manually and install the update. Hope this works for you, it did for me!

marmalize

thanks...but can't get anything other than update screen when using any advance setting eg safe/safe with command prompt..

no memory card or anything in it...the only solution that comes up is the recovery disc ..and i did that but i couldn't get it to work...ah well off to the menders with it i think...

RussJK

I'll see if I can find you a working link to a Windows 7 recovery disk tomorrow.

Alternatively, if the working computer you're using is Windows 7, you can make one yourself:
http://forums.techarena.in/guides-tutorials/1114725.htm