Vista looping after partial download of windows update

[wvjohn]

OK gang, don't know much about vista but a guy at work came to me with the following problemo.

Acer Laptop, WinVista.

He doesn't use it that much but turns it on at least once a week for windows and AV updates.

Last saturday it started downloading a windows update in 3 parts. after the first 2 parts it said windows must now restart, etc. when restarted it would either 1) begin to download part 3 and then go into a restart loop or 2) when it restarted it went into a loop.

I know in xp there was a virus which triggered that restart loop and you had to disable something like "restart automatically on xyz error" but I know nothing about vista.

anyone seen this with the recent update or how do you disable that restart loop? All ideas appreciated!

TIA

[FlyingPenguin]

This should help:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949358

To resolve this problem, use the following methods in the order in which they are presented. Method 1 is the simplest fix, and method 3 is the most complex.
• Method 1: Start Windows Vista with the Windows installation media, and then use the Repair feature
• Method 2: Start the system in safe mode, and then use the System Restore feature
• Method 3: Rename the Pending.xml file, and then edit the registry (This method is part of the advanced troubleshooting.)

[wvjohn]

mucho thanks!

[wvjohn]

tried the methods in the fix. of course there is no vista disk, can't get to the "repair" function in the acer setup menu because of the looping.

me no havem vista .... ideas welcome

[FlyingPenguin]

All Vista OEM CDs are the same, so if you can borrow one from somebody or get it off torrents that's all you need.

Worst case Acer will mail you one for the cost of shipping.