It seems like its either an update or driver issue. Someone else on here will post how to clean boot and then selective restarts to narrow the issue down.

Basically, in my opinion, something got borked, so when your booting into normal start its hanging, but in safe mode, it doesnt load that driver or software.

I'm not great in this part of vista, so i'll let someone else continue.

Welcome
Patonb is correct. If you boot ok in safe mode,its a software issue. Now the difficut part, what software. Maybe a clean boot will help us diagnose.
Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup - Windows 7 Forums

EDIT: You posted at the same time as me and now the problem is different. With another computer, you can download any necessary drivers to a finger drive and then transfer to your problem computer.

May I make a suggestion, before you proceed too far? Make a clean install, everything may work after the install. If you still cannot connect to the internet, get the driver using the method that I suggested.
For EVEYONE a clean install is the way to go. You did what is called an upgrade install.
Clean Install From Upgrade Vista

Unfortunately, you may not still get on the network, but if you used a recovery disk to redo windows, most likely the reason you csan't get on the net is due to you no longer having the passwords saved.

Thats easy to fix by clicking on the computer shaped symbol by the time in the lower right corner.

You can find If you need drivers by going to the device manager and looking for red X or yellow ?

I would still do a clean install, it is always the best. If you still do not have internet, follow Patonb, but do a clean install.

You have already donated with your thanks and appreciation. Good luck.