How to: Fix the Vista can't boot because of corrupt updates

sky-knight · 01-20-2010, 10:21 PM

I recently ran into this and found a manual repair solution that didn't involve running a system restore. If you get a Vista/Win7 box that autoupdates but won't reboot because it's stuck "configuring updates" on boot.

1.) Get your Vista/Win7 Install DVD
2.) Boot to the DVD
3.) Hit the repair option
4.) Launch the Command Prompt

*All of the above can be done with any live cd that can edit the file system, you just need to be able to rename some files on the drive*

5.) look in c:\windows\winsxs for xml files
6.) You may see Pending.xml, and/or cleanup.xml
7.) rename both files
8.) reboot

It's meant to fix a problem that existed pre SP1 but I just had a vista box do this trying to install SP2, renamed cleanup.xml, reapplied SP2 and the box was happy again.

Many thanks to the following blog article.

http://www.tipandtrick.net/2008/endl...-installation/

fasttech · 01-20-2010, 11:09 PM

Hah, where were you when my wifes vista black screened?

It's ok though, I fixed it with win7.

sky-knight · 01-20-2010, 11:42 PM

Yeah I know I've paved my share of boxes and now I can fix them... live and learn. I know others need this info so I posted it.

YeOldeStonecat · 01-21-2010, 05:11 AM

Pretty much the same fix for pretty much the same issue on Server 08...I ran into that around 6 months ago.

01-20-2010, 10:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
sky-knight Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ URLs submitted: 8 Posts: 14,698	How to: Fix the Vista can't boot because of corrupt updates I recently ran into this and found a manual repair solution that didn't involve running a system restore. If you get a Vista/Win7 box that autoupdates but won't reboot because it's stuck "configuring updates" on boot. 1.) Get your Vista/Win7 Install DVD 2.) Boot to the DVD 3.) Hit the repair option 4.) Launch the Command Prompt All of the above can be done with any live cd that can edit the file system, you just need to be able to rename some files on the drive 5.) look in c:\windows\winsxs for xml files 6.) You may see Pending.xml, and/or cleanup.xml 7.) rename both files 8.) reboot It's meant to fix a problem that existed pre SP1 but I just had a vista box do this trying to install SP2, renamed cleanup.xml, reapplied SP2 and the box was happy again. Many thanks to the following blog article. http://www.tipandtrick.net/2008/endl...-installation/ __________________ Rob Sandling, BS:SWE, MCP Intouch Technology Phone: 480-272-9889 rob@intouchtechllc.com UntangleAppliances.com Phone: 866-794-8879

01-20-2010, 11:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
sky-knight Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ URLs submitted: 8 Posts: 14,698	Yeah I know I've paved my share of boxes and now I can fix them... live and learn. I know others need this info so I posted it. __________________ Rob Sandling, BS:SWE, MCP Intouch Technology Phone: 480-272-9889 rob@intouchtechllc.com UntangleAppliances.com Phone: 866-794-8879

01-20-2010, 11:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
fasttech Master Untangler Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 721	Hah, where were you when my wifes vista black screened? It's ok though, I fixed it with win7.

01-21-2010, 05:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
YeOldeStonecat Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,367	Pretty much the same fix for pretty much the same issue on Server 08...I ran into that around 6 months ago.