Windows Vista SP1 - Installation Failure

My main desktop PC runs Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate x64. It has been running happily for many months and is stable.

In April 2008, Microsoft launched Service Pack 1 making it a required download via Windows Update.

It doesn’t install on my PC and leaves it in a continuous cycle of re-boots with error message:-

STOP: c0000139 {Entry Not Found} NtClearAllSavepointsTransaction could not be located

I have tried to apply SP1 5 times with the same result using different methods such as:-

Disabling all start up services.
Installing the full service pack.

More information on these recommendations can be found here.

Each attempt results in an un-bootable system. I cannot enter safe mode, do a system restore or repair using F8. The only alternative is a full re-install or, as in my case, restore using a backup image captured using Acronis True Image.The Acronis restore takes ~9 hours but is certainly faster than there-installing the whole operating system and programs which I estimate would take around 30 hours.

After researching on the Internet, it appears that I am not the only one having difficulties with SP1. I am surprised that Microsoft have launched SP1 when it clearly trashes many PC’s. I wonder how many people have woken up one morning to find their PC’s suddenly not working due to SP1 automatic install?

I am grateful for the Acronis product. At least I can remain productive rather than fire-fighting a disaster recovery scenario as a result of SP1 problems.

I can understand why people want to revert to Windows XP. Vista doesn’t seem to be Microsoft’s finest hour.

I have opened a support case with Microsoft. The email is attached below.

Dear Mr. xxxxx,

As per the problem description enclosed/logged in the case, the issue that you are facing is with the installation of the windows updates and in a no boot situation.

Please follow the steps mentioned below which can help us resolve/diagnose the cause of the issue.

ACTION PLAN: Unable to boot to the desktop after the installation of 3 updates.

Method 1: Boot to the Windows DVD and choose the repair Vista option

Note: If your computer came with Vista preinstalled your computer may not come with a Windows DVD. If you do not have a Windows DVD proceed to method 2.

1. Boot to the Windows DVD
2. Choose the repair option in the lower left hand corner and then choose System Restore
3. Use the System Restore to roll the machine to a previous check point when it was working fine.
4. Refer to the steps in the more information section to install to manually install the Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB937287) and ensure this issue is avoided in the future.

Method 2: boot to the Safe Mode and use the repair or System Restore feature

1. Boot to the Safe Mode options using F8 during startup
2. Check for a option for repair or use System Restore. Repair or use System Restore.
3. Refer to the steps in the more information section to install to manually install the Update for Windows Vista for (KB937287) and ensure this issue is avoided in the future.

Things to remember before the installation of the windows vista SP1 update are:

1) Backup all the important data on your computer.

2) Uninstall the security/antivirus programs from the computer.

3) Unplug all other devices except the keyboard mouse and the monitor from the computer.

4) Check if you have enough space on your computer to install the service pack 1 and for the creation of a new system restore check point which is automatically created before the installation of the Vista Sp1.

Rename the pending.xml file.

To rename the Pending.xml file and to edit the registry, follow these steps:

1.Insert the Windows Vista installation disc in the DVD drive, and then restart the computer.

2.Press any key when you are prompted to restart from the disc.

3.When you are prompted, configure the Language to install, Time and currency format, and Keyboard or input method options that you want, and then click Next.

4.On the Install Windows page, click Repair your computer.

5.On the System Recovery Options page, click the version of the Windows Vista operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.

6.On the System Recovery Options page, click Command Prompt.

7.Type cd C:\windows\winsxs, and then press ENTER.

8.Type ren pending.xml pending.old, and then press ENTER.

9.Type regedit, and then press ENTER.

10.Select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

11.On the File menu, click Load Hive.

12.Locate the following folder:
C:\windows\system32\config\components

13.When you are prompted for a name, type Offline_Components.

14.In Registry Editor, locate and then delete the following registry subkey:
HLKM\Offline Components\AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving

15.In Registry Editor, locate and then delete the following registry subkey:
HKLM\Offline Components\PendingXmlIdentifier

16.Exit Registry Editor, type exit at the command prompt, and then press ENTER.

17.Click Restart.

You can download the windows vista service pack 1 from the following link and then run the installation from the safe mode:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935791/

Information to help to boot in safe mode:

1.Restart your computer and start pressing the F8 key on your keyboard. On a computer that is configured for booting to multiple operating systems, you can press the F8 key when the Boot Menu appears.

2.Select an option when the Windows Advanced Options menu appears with the up and down arrow keys on keyboard, and then press ENTER.

Please do not hesitate to let us know about the results of these steps, we will be more than happy to takeover and work on the second action plan.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you once again for choosing Microsoft.
Yours sincerely,

xxx etc

I’ll try this recommendation when I get some time. Each attempt and recovery is taking about 10 hours at the moment so it’s a job for a rainy weekend:). Will keep you posted.