Windows Vista - Up[dates jammed in continual loop

I have the Vista operating system which was working perfectly. When I downloaded updates the whole operating system is jammed with the following message "Configuring updates: Stage 3 of 3 - 0% complete"
The computer tries to download then switches off. Starting it we get to the same message and just go one big continual loop. I cannot do anything to move from this point. ANY HELP would be most welcome as I am at my wits end with it!!

Put this where you also posted it, but again

REboot your machine, keep hitting F8 and go into safe mode, then.... From http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-windows_update/latest-vista-update-stuck-in-stage-3restart-loop/2f70b13c-9db4-4bf9-90ee-7ca63a809973 Use the System Recovery options to rename the Pending.xml file and edit the registry: On the System Recovery Options page, click Command Prompt. Type cd C:\windows\winsxs, and then press ENTER. Type ren pending.xml pending.old, and then press ENTER. Type regedit, and then press ENTER. Select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. On the File menu, click Load Hive. Locate the following folder: C:\windows\system32\config\components When you are prompted for a name, type Offline_Components. In Registry Editor, locate and then delete the following registry subkey: HLKM\Offline Components\AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving HKLM\Offline Components\PendingXmlIdentifier Exit Registry Editor: At the command prompt, type exit to exit Registry Editor. Press ENTER. Click Restart. Also, refer to this http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949358