14 DAY TRIAL // On February 12, 2008, as a part of the company's monthly patch cycle, Microsoft made available update 937287, a prerequisite item for the deployment of Windows Vista Service Pack 1. The update impacted the Windows Vista installation software feature, namely the operating system's component designed to manage additional updates, language packs and even service packs when it comes down to the installation and uninstallation process. Set up as a prerequisite for Vista SP1, Microsoft confirmed that it was killing the delivery of KB937287 for the platform's servicing stack update due to an error involving the message "configuring updates stage 3 of 3. 0% complete" and the machine moving into an endless reboot loop.
One simple way to avoid the issue is to install KB937287 separately from the other updates, and not permit its delivery and deployment through Automatic Updates. In addition, Microsoft has come up with three methods to save Vista from the infinite reboot loop induced by the KB937287 Vista SP1 update. After users have regained access to their operating systems, they only need to integrate KB937287 as a standalone update, it is available here (32-bit) and here (64-bit).
"Insert the Windows Vista installation disc in the DVD drive, and then restart the computer. Configure the Language to install, Time and currency format, and Keyboard or input method options. Click Repair your computer. Select the of the Windows Vista operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next. Click System Restore, then on the System Restore page, click Next. Select a restore point at which you know that the operating system was working, and then click Next. If you are prompted for a disk to restore, select the disk to which the operating system is installed, and then click Next. On the Confirm your restore point page, click Finish. When the restoration process is complete, click Restart," Microsoft explained.
The second method of regaining access and functionality to your Vista operating system involves using the Repair or System Restore feature in Safe Mode. Just reboot the computer and press the F8 key before you see the Windows Logo. In this manner, you will be presented with the Advanced Boot Options screen. Select to start Windows Vista in Safe Mode. Make your way to System Restore, choose a restore point before the updates were installed and let the feature do all the heavy lifting. After you restart, you should have regained functionality to your copy of Vista. And if both these methods fail, there is always lucky number three: renaming the Pending.xml file, and then editing the registry.
"Insert the Windows Vista installation disc in the DVD drive, and then restart the computer. Press any key when you are prompted to restart from the disc. When you are prompted, configure the Language to install, Time and currency format, and Keyboard or input method options Choose Repair your computer. On the System Recovery Options page, click the version of the Windows Vista operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next. On the System Recovery Options page, click Command Prompt. Type cd C:windowswinsxs, and then press ENTER. Type ren pending.xml pending.old, and then press ENTER. Type regedit, and then press ENTER. Select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. On the File menu, click Load Hive. Locate the following folder: C:windowssystem32configcomponents. When you are prompted for a name, type Offline_Components. In Registry Editor, locate and then delete the following registry subkey: HLKMOffline ComponentsAdvancedInstallersNeedResolving. In Registry Editor, locate and then delete the following registry subkey: HKLMOffline ComponentsPendingXmlIdentifier," Microsoft added.