Still waiting for Vista to reboot after updates

I have an HP notebook computer dv6623cl, running vista. Up until yesterday I updated windows on a weekly basis. I have advanced system care, avast security running and those have never caused any problem on updating in the past. I ran update selecting 16 updates. I had turned off the security software and all other running programs. When I checked on the progress, I would be asked if I wanted to restart the computer. Since there were other updates to be installed, I clicked no and the updates went marrily on their way. Finally all updates were done and I restarted the computer, which went thru a few complete steps 1, 2 and 3 of 3. Then I got one that only went to step 3 of 3 and registered 0% complete. I would restart the computer and go thru the whole dance all over again. Finally, on about the 8th or 9th restart I tried the f8, f10 and f11 keys to try to change boot, change to safe mode and recovery. No luck always went back to the now dreaded screen of step 3 of 3 0% complete. No recovery disk, can order one, but I don't want to lose all my files and data. Backed up files on an hp simple save, but that isn't even recognized when I plug it in. I can't tell you what the updates where, but I know that I had service pack 2, installed.

 

Hi,

I think you are running Vista 32bit (x86) version. You can try downloading the Vista Recovery Environment. It will be an ISO file that has to be burned to a blank CD. Imgburn can do it using the "Write Image file to Disc" option.

Then boot from the CD and choose Repair. It will search for your installation and offer to fix any problems. Decline the automatic fix and go to the tools/advanced option. From the list of 5 choices attempt System Restore.

If it is successful don't attempt updates until we see a list of the possibilities. A google search seems to indicate that this is an old problem and the questionable update is from 2009. Not sure how that can be or if this is a new problem but you want to handle the troublesome update individually.

 

HI sach2, you're right it's 32:-o, I am downloading VRI on my other computer and also imgburn to burn it to a cd. However, I have a 4gb usb stick that I can use, is that okay?
Thanks for your help. will get back to you when i've done this. Pat

 

It is basically method one from this link which gives a bit more step by step to get to the screen with the 5 choices.

EDIT: I've only used it once and don't really remember the details but you could try WintoFlash to put the iso on to the flash drive and see if it boots.

 

WintoFlash won't work (I just tried). I think Microsoft might have a tool but don't really know if it will work on this stripped down CD. I can look around later but it will be an hour or two.

 

MSTool won't recognize the ISO as a valid installation disc.

These instructions will work to put the files onto USB--your only going to step 14 after that you are switching to Repair. Note you are formatting the USB so all data will be lost. Also, you have to extract the ISO files to a folder. You can use 7zip to accomplish that. Rename the resulting folder something short and with no spaces such as vistadisc. Then when you get to the part about using the xcopy command you will replace D: with the location of the folder--ie. xcopy C:\vistadisc\*.* /s/e/f v: where V: is the letter of your USB.

The important step is #4 to make sure you select your USB flash.
At step #10, I just typed list volume and saw that my USB already had a letter and use that in the next steps rather than assign a new one.

 

For what it's worth. I've done the same thing as you have on knowing other downloads were needed. Didn't reboot when asked. And learned to read or look for. -> Install this program 1st in downloading up-dates. Caused me alot of grief. Un-like you I could boot to windows to fix.

So you don't run into the same problem in the future. Some up-dates have to be installed 1st so the other downloads can initalize or associate to the 1st. If the 1st didn't get installed and needed a re-start to run. The other downloads couldn't initilize associate to the 1st one they needed to.