Vista SP2!

Vista Service pack 2 is on the way!

So far we know that SP2 will update Windows Search 4.0, which makes finding files, e-mail and network items quicker and easier.

Service pack 2 also includes Microsoft's new exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table), or FAT64 file system, which is basically a better way for Vista to read flash drives with compact operating systems like Windows Embedded CE installed on them.

Bluetooth 2.1 is also present in Vista Service Pack 2. This should help the pairing problems that existed previously. With this new technologu all you will have to do is put two Bluetooth 2.1 capable devices next to one another and they will automatically connect without the usual configuration!!

Those with the hardware who wish to burn data onto Blu-Ray discs will be able to do so natively in Vista SP2 and will no longer have to use third party programs.

And finally, Microsoft's Windows Connect Now feature is being implemented in Vista. This makes setting up a network, wireless or otherwise simpler for the regular user be allowing them to store network configurations on USB flash drives and then bring the device around the network to integrate the settings. XP already has this feature, but Vista has not - until now.

How to fix Vista Updates that are stuck in a loop

A common error occurs with Windows Vista computers where the third stage of an update reads "Configurating updates: stage 3 of 3 - 0% complete"

Here the computer will freeze and then the computer will then reboot, and continue to reboot and reboot endlessly. Some users have said that it happened due to a power cut during the update whilst other report that it just occured for no reason.

I recently experienced this on a clients computer.

If you restart the computer and hit the F8 button (on most computers) it will give you a list of options including "repair your computer" This option will allow you to try repair the startup problems that have occurred. This however in my case did not help

The second thing to try is to try the same method of entering repair, but to choose System Restore. This will try restore the computer to a previous state when the computer was working. This again, did not work in my case.

The next option is to boot to the vista installation CD by inserting the disk, restarting the computer and hitting F12 and choose boot to CD. Press any key when prompted. When prompted choose "repair my computer" and enter the command prompt.

Enter c: to get to the c-prompt as it may read x:

Enter c:\windows\winsxs

There is a file in this directory called pending.xml

To delete this file enter "del pending.xml"

Type exit to leave the command prompt and restart the computer.

This should resolve your problem!

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