Question

System keeps asking to restart even after reboot

Asked by: Roachtek

I have a machine that repeatedly asks to be restarted to complete an update.  I have removed the RebootRequired registry key numerous times and it keeps coming back.  I can't install any windows updates because of this.  I have scanned for Malware and viruses.  Some traces were found and removed but the problem persists.

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Asked On
2009-09-16 at 12:08:57ID24737508
Tags

Windows xp windows update

Topic

Windows XP Operating System

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Answers

 

by: page1985Posted on 2009-09-16 at 12:16:46ID: 25349043

In Registry Editor, does the following value contain anything?

KEY: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\SessionManager
Value: PendingFileRenameOperations

If this value contains information, then there are files that have not yet been deleted, renamed, or replaced as a result of a pending operation that was unable to complete.  You can back this entry up and delete it to resolve the problem.

NOTE:  In rare cases when a system file, driver, or other "sensitive" object is the subject of one of these commands, removing this registry setting may cause instability.  Please backup the value before deleting it.

 

by: thinkpads_userPosted on 2009-09-16 at 12:18:40ID: 25349060

You coul have a rootkit taht persists or some other virus that is persisting. You could try downloading the Service Pack you are on (SP2 or SP3) and re-applying the service pack manually to see if that helps. You might be faced with re-imaging the machine in order not to invest too heavily in a black hole. ... Thinkpads_User

 

by: Spec01Posted on 2009-09-16 at 12:18:47ID: 25349063

Take a look at enabling the local GPO to disable that reboot message.
http://lifehacker.com/183976/get-rid-of-windows-update-restart-nag

 

by: RoachtekPosted on 2009-09-16 at 12:44:59ID: 25349323

Page1985:
Tried your solution and it didn't work.
Thanks for the suggestion!

Spec01:
Not a good idea.  I still won't be able to install updates as the website will stil see a pending restart.
Thanks anyway.

Thinkpads_user:
I'll try your solution and see what happens.  I'll let you know.
Thanks!

Roachtek

 

by: page1985Posted on 2009-09-16 at 13:07:04ID: 25349551

Are you getting anything in the System and Application logs in EventViewer that indicates something is failing to load?  Anything related to updates, system services, etc, that looks like it may  be related?

Also, have you tried running the System File Checker?  Login as admin, stick your XP disk in, and run SFC /SCANNOW

 

by: optomaPosted on 2009-09-16 at 13:11:43ID: 25349619

You could try dialafix. Has a windows updates fix.
http://wiki.lunarsoft.net/wiki/Dial-a-fix

Also windows installer cleanup utility
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

And latest windows installer version
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/details.aspx?familyid=5A58B56F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4&displaylang=en

 

by: RoachtekPosted on 2009-09-16 at 13:20:31ID: 25349706

Page1985:
It seems that there are issues related to the removal of some Novell components that are stuck in there.  The registry may have some corruption.  I'll see what I can pluck out.

 

by: page1985Posted on 2009-09-16 at 13:22:49ID: 25349725

You can try using the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

 

by: houssam_balloutPosted on 2009-09-16 at 14:06:35ID: 25350158

Had you tried to remove the update via safe-mode, then try

 

by: RoachtekPosted on 2009-10-01 at 14:32:44ID: 31629630

There was some issue that forced a re-image of the machine.  I was not able to repair it.

 

by: thinkpads_userPosted on 2009-10-01 at 14:34:44ID: 25473426

Thank you. Sometimes re-image is the only viable solution to prevent wasting a lot of time. Good luck. ... Thinkpads_User

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