Re: Updates caused ultimate to restart over and over again
Hi andrewbess,
Welcome to Vista Forums!
This error usually means some update or updates did not complete properly and is/are preventing others from installing. The following procedures are commonly suggested to try to verify that and clear up that problem.
Try a clean boot http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135. If the problem goes away then it's just a matter of tracking down the culprit causing the problem. Follow the procedures in the article. Once found, delete, remove, deactivate, or uninstall it. Once done be sure to reset Vista back to normal status as explained in the procedures. If the problem occurs in clean mode then just restore the system to normal status and reboot - this solution is not going to work.
If that doesn't work, please identify and make note of recent failed updates and the KB numbers (and post them here as well in your next reply - I will not be surprised if they are or at least include Office updates):
1. Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button. In the search box,
type Update, and then, in the list of results, click Windows Update.
2. In the left pane, click View update history.
3. Starting from the most recent dates, find an update for Windows that
has failed to install, and then double-click the update to view more
information.
4. Updates that have failed to install will display Failed under
the Status column.
Try deleting some of the contents of c:\windows\softwaredistribution - specifically contents of the Downloads Folder and the DataStore Folder (just the contents, not the folders) and reboot and then try again.
If that doesn't work, then uninstall them (from Start / Programs and Features / Installed Updates), reboot, and try to re-install them again manually http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/default.aspx and see if you get the same message.
If that doesn't work, try resetting Windows Update Components using the following:
How do I reset Windows Update components?. I recommend the Mr. Fixit as it will be considerably easier than the manual process. Once done, reboot and then try updating manually again.
If that still doesn't work, are you using Norton or McAfee as your security software (or have they ever been installed on your computer even as trials you never used)? If so, please remove them using the proper removal tools (they often cause this type of problem, so let's make certain that isn't the reason here):
Norton Removal Tool
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/englis...moval_Tool.exe
McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool
http://download.mcafee.com/products/...tches/MCPR.exe
Then activate Windows Firewall (if it was disabled by one of these products) and install Microsoft Security Essentials for security protection
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/.
Once done, reboot and try the updates again.
I hope this helps. If not, post back and we'll try some other options until we identify the problem and resolve it.
Good luck!