After downloading and installing the most recent 22 updates from MSFT, and Restarting Vista, unable to get to Desktop. Gets as far as "Welcome" and rotating circle and stays there for hours.

Tried Startup Repair more than once and System Restore more than once, each time going back further in time.

Was able to Boot to Desktop using OS Reinstallation DVD, but got rotating circle when tried to select any program to run. Safe Mode seems to work fine. Ran Virus scan and Registry Cleaner in Safe mode but this did not alter ability to proceed any further.

Aware of any bugs in latest MSFT update release? Have dealt with those before, but got error messages and was able to repair. Limited knowledge here and feel I've exhausted my knowledge base. Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks!!

Thanks richc46

I may have misled you by saying I "tried" Startup Repair and System Restore and not indicating that I was able to run them in Safe Mode without any problem. Do I still need to create a Recovery CD, or was that as you thought the two diagnostics wouldn't run? Running them did not alter the symptom.

Since receiving your response I did run sfc/scannow. Resulting message was "WRP found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them..." I attempted to get list from Log, as scannow indicates I can, but while program did set up text file on SafeMode desktop in Notebook, it is empty. ??? I also ran the Memory Diag. Tool which indicated no problems.

One clue which may alter the process here, has to do with the updates I was running which appears to have created the problem. As you know, the last phase of the update indicates something like: "Running Phase 3 of 3 Updates. Do not turn off your computer." Well, if there are updates of meaningful size I usually run them overnight. I did in this case and when I went to check in the next morning that message was still displayed. Couldn't stop it any other way, so I turned off my computer! Stupid perhaps, but what else to do?

So question now is do I still need to create Recovery CD because it does something different that running the diagnostics in SafeMode does not? Is there somthing else I should attempt in light of my turning off the computer while running updates? I am really hoping I don't have to reload Vista.

Sorry for the long response and my former omission!! Thanks!!!

Sounds like that is probably the best course. I have an old Backup DVD drive that I used on my old machine with XP. Is it possible to install in SafeMode??, even if it works and I can find driver? Have a fair number of blank CD-R's I can use. MOST of the really important stuff is backed-up on memory sticks AND cloud, but there are other things I would prefer to not lose, so what should I do now?

I really do appreciate you assistance!!!!!!

I stumbled through that! Version of Ubuntu used in graphics not same as downloaded, but got disk made. Able to open hard drive, but wouldn't let me make copies by drag & drop. Bought a back-up hard drive this AM and was able to make copy of my User file in SafeMode. My application files that are important to me I backup regularly, so I think I have what I need. One can only hope, and pray.

Something tells me I'm at the dangerous point now where I have to erase/install the OS. Do I need to copy thing like drivers before I do this, or does the system disk look for this stuff?

Thanks again!!

OK, the drivers are backed-up. Time to reinstall? Just put in the reinstall DVD and let her rip??

Thanks