Vista Home Premium SP1 Infinite Reboot Loop, Windows Restore inaccessable

Question：Problem: Update labeled Service Pack 1 (I don't know the actual KB#) has sent my computer into an infinite reboot loop.  Upon reboot "Configuring Updates 3 of 3 0% complete / Do not turn off Computer" appears and the percentage continues to 100%, the system reboots, and repeat.  I left the computer to update last night and lo and behold it was still updating this morning. 

Attempts to resolve: I have researched what I can about this problem.  I have attempted to access System Restore by the following methods:

1. Turning off the computer, rebooting to the Advanced Boot Options screen, boot to Safe Mode.  Result: after windows logo appears on start-up the screen returns to the "Configuring Updates" screen.  This is the case on "Safe Mode", "Safe Mode with networking" "Last Known Good Configuration (advanced)", and "Directory Services Restore Mode"  I have not tried the other options on the boot options screen
2. Using the Recovery DVD I made after installing Vista (circa Dec. 2006): Result: Restore option only includes restoring from the factory installed boot sector recovery image with a complete HD wipe.  No System Restore options available.

 Hardware specs: I have Vista (obviously) Home Premium installed over a factory installed Windows XP Media Center (SP2).  Partition 2 contains a recovery sector that will restore the original factory settings.  Another partition holds Ubuntu, which is how I am able to log on and post this message.  Also:

• Model: Compaq Presario SR2050NX Media Center
• Processor: Intel Pentium D 2.8 GHz dual core
• MoBo: ESC Asterope 3
• Chipset: ATI RC410
• Southbridge: ATI SB400
• Memory: 1024 M DDR2 - SDRAM (PC2 -4200/PC2 - 4300/533 MHz)
• HDD: 250 GB
• OS: Windows Vista Home Premium over XP Media Center SP2
• Secondary OS: Ubuntu 9.04

Computer Literacy: Average

Mood: Vexed

My goal is to restore the system to a point previous to the update install.  I do not want to wipe the system and start fresh.

Thank you,
tb

Answer 1：Looks like I posted a real brain twister for you guys.  I'll be back online on Monday.  Think it over and drop me a line.

Answer 2：

 

 

Make a Bootable Repair Disk to do a Startup Repair/System Restore:

 

 

As is the case with most computer/laptops these days, they do not come with the proper Vista Disk to do Repairs with; only Recovery Disks.

As yours falls into the above category, download the ISO file at the supplied link, and make a Bootable Disk from it.

 

Go into your Bios/Setup, or Boot Menu, at startup, and change the Boot Order to make the DVD/CD drive 1st in the Boot Order, then reboot with the disk in the Drive.

 

At startup/power on you should see at the bottom of the screen either F2 or DELETE, to go into Bios/Setup, or F12 for the Boot Menu.

 

When you have changed that, insert that Bootable Disk you have made in the Drive, and reboot.

 

You can do a Startup Repair, System Restore, etc with it.

Read all info at the website about creating and using it.

http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/

 

ISO Burner: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/active-isoburner.html

It makes a very good Repair Vista disk.

You can do a Startup Repair, System Restore, etc from it.

It is not a reinstall disk.

 

And the 32bit is what comes normally on a computer, unless 64bits requested.

If this does not work, now you are looking at a Reinstall, as you only have the factory recovery disk.

---

Mick Murphy - Microsoft Partner

Answer 3：Excellent!  I'll try on Monday and report back.  Good info (and yes it is 32 bit, sorry for the oversight in the spec list).  I'm still curious as to why safe mode goes right back to the Step 3 splash screen, but if this fixes the problem it'll just be one of those little mysteries.  Thanks :-)