Vista update problem

[Simon]

A friend has asked for help with his Vista laptop, which is having a problem with Windows Updates:

I have a problem with the new laptop, I was updating Windows Vista when it came up with a 8000FFFF error code.

I looked up the error code on Google, and it appears this is a common problem, the problem I have is the laptop won't start up, it comes up with Updates 93% then the laptop shuts down. Then it tries to start up, but keeps coming up with the same message and shuts down again.

Having searched on Google myself, it appears this could relate to a previous Windows Update (KB929777), which needs to be removed, and reinstalled manually, but he can't remove the update if the machine won't start.

Any ideas?

[Glenn]

Start in Safe mode? Last known Good Configuration? Off a boot disc? Remove the drive and slave it into another PC?

[Rik]

What Glenn said, Simon.

[Glenn]

To resolve Windows Update error 8000FFFF, try the following steps:

1) Launch REGEDIT

2) Go into HKLM\COMPONENTS, and check if these three values exist under the COMPONENTS key:

  PendingXmldentifier
  NextQueueEntryIndex
  AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving

3) Providing they do exist, back up the Components key, then delete the three above values.
4) Restart the computer, and Windows Update should now be working fine.

[Simon]

Thanks, Glenn, I'll pass that on.  Of course, the Reg Edit depends on him being able to start the computer somehow.  He said that he's tried safe mode, and it still won't start, but I have suggested Last known good configuration.

[Sebby]

Last known good configuration, if Glenn's method doesn't work.

[Glenn]

Simon, this is where the info has come from http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/itprovistasecurity/thread/6b9f6a7c-1b91-422f-a803-11440418008f/

[Simon]

Cheers, I'll pass that on. 

[Vodor]

If they still have the problem (or for anyone else that needs it) you can run a manual uninstall via recovery console, it's a command line provided usually on the bottom of a lot of technet posts or support articles at microsoft.com
However I can't find an example  at the time of this post!

[Lance]

Thanks for that, useful to know!

[Simon]

I still haven't quite worked out how he managed to get back into Windows, but he says that, from the boot menu screen, he selected a date prior to the update, which then allowed Windows to start.  Maybe there is in Vista, but I've never been aware of that option before.

[Rik]

Me neither.