So I downloaded the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) and installed it on my work computer and used it to create a bootable Windows PE that I burned to a disc. I booted my laptop up using the disc and bam! Finally got a command prompt! Time to go old school on this problem.
First things first, I copied all my important files over to my external hard drive. Definately wanted to save them before I did any hacking and slashing. Next, as I had discovered, I preceeded to delete the pending.xml file in the c:\windows\winsxs directory. Supposely, this file is what tells Vista what updates it’s suppose to be installing and without it, Vista wouldn’t try to install/update anything.
After deleting it, I removed the boot disc and reboot the laptop. I waited… and waited… and waited (Vista takes forever to boot, don’t ya know) and bam! The login screen appeared! The computer booted without getting stuck in the infinite reboot bug.
Now, of course, I have encountered a new problem… deleting that file has confused Vista and Windows Update no longer functions. I’m going to have to find a solution… to fix my solution. But at least Vista isn’t stuck anymore.