Configuring Updates Stage 3 of 3 0% complete Do not turn off Computer

Configuring Updates Stage 3 of 3 0% complete Do not turn off Computer
This error occurs on Vista system, which runs endless loop.
solution:

    1. Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.  Changed directory to just c:\windows. Ran a rename of this directory: c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution to c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution.old (ren c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution.old)  Rebooted.
    2. For those without an OS disc, Vista has repair tools built in.
      To access them, boot the computer, but when you see the “Microsoft (C)” with the moving lines, hold the power button until it shuts down.
      Now windows thinks it didn’t boot properly, and when you turn it back on, you should get the option to run Windows Startup Repair.
      Choose this. When it loads, cancel the scan it starts (it won’t find anything anyway), and choose the text on the bottom that says something like “Show advanced repair options.” When it asks for the user, change from the Administrator to your user account, and then you’ll have access to a few more tools, incluing a command prompt where you can run fixes.
      Instead of deleting the “pending.xml” files from the c:\windows\winsxs folder I renamed it, so that it can be put back later if needed. Hope this helps everyone else!
    3. Restart computer. Press f8 then choose option restore computer.
      Choose option open command.
      type: prompt winsxs (press enter)
      type: move C:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml text.xml (press enter)
      type: exit and restart computer.
      Computer should be working again.
       
    4. boot under “last known good configuration”, then install this – http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5639710d-dfbf-4527-806e-9a1634d0cc8e&DisplayLang=en&displaylang=en , which wil apparently stop this happening again… 
      • STEP 1. As your computer restarts erratically over and over and reaches the point where you see the “(c) Microsoft” and the moving lines, hold the Power button down until it shuts off your computer completely.
      • STEP 2. Turn on computer. Now your computer is going to start in the “Windows Startup Repair” diagnostic mode. Press ENTER so that the “Startup Repair” may commence. I let it ran until the search was done and I got the message “Windows cannot repair this computer automatically”
      • STEP 3 Look down for the “View advanced option for system recovery and support” and CLICK on. You’ll be prompted to “System Recovery Option”; select your keyboard language (US) and click NEXT button.
      • STEP 4 Now you are in the “Administrator Account”. In the “User name” pop up, change “Administrator” to “user” (which is you). Than enter your usual “log in” password (if you have one on your computer) and press NEXT.
      • STEP 5 .You are now in the “Choose a recovery tool”. Go down to “Command Prompt” and CLICK on. You are prompted in to the MS DOS/ text mode.
      • STEP 6. In here simply apply Pieter magic text (as per his post @ 21):
      type: prompt winsxs (press enter)
      type: move C:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml text.xml (press enter)
      type: exit and restart computer 

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