Vista - Stuck in a loop after updates...

My setup:

Q6600 2.4GHz Quad
4GB G.Skill
8800GTX
EVGA 750i FTW

My Problem:

I believe I have a (Vista Ultimate x64 RC-1? Already has SP1) cd. I can install it fine. I can then install the correct drivers for my hardware. And all works well, until...

I use windows updates and select the 'important' only updates. After that, I'm stuck in a boot-loop. And by boot-loop, I mean I can't get into windows OR safe-mode. I have done this 2 times so far. It definitely only happens when I run the updates (can work perfectly fine for days w/o the updates). Any ideas? It's like I'm just now allowed to have an updated version of Vista.

I made a restore point prior to the updates, so I can get back to where I was, but I obviously can't run an outdated OS all the time. :P

thanks in advance.

One thing I've noticed, if I try to choose 'Last known good configuration', I get a blue screen with a USBPORT.SYS error.

So I just boot from the CD and restore back to a previous point.

Luf,

Have you tried individually installing updates to find the one update causing the boot-loop?

That thought crossed my mind. But with 60+ updates, I wasn't really up for the task.

I took a look @ my system, and since I did a system restore after the updates....they aren't showing up as an option anymore. My update history just shows them as 'failed', but if I 'check for updates', they don't populate.

Let's say I completely reformat/reinstall. Should I try the windows updates right away? (before installing the Chipset & GPU drivers).

Can you verify your Vista version? You say RC-1 - and my understanding is that RC 1 support is over....and thus an update that is getting installed may be interfering with the RC 1 itself....

I said RC-1 because I think that's what the download said. Sorry, can't remember. I downloaded the install from my TechNet subscription. I can check in a bit.

If I look @ my About Windows, it states...

Windows Vista Ultimate

Version 6.0 (Build 6000) (Debug)

That build has been causing more than one person problems. Download a *non* debug build.

Haha, oh jeez. So I'm just an idiot.

There were so many versions to download, it was overwhelming. It said something along the lines of "Checked & Debugged", sounded good to me. o.0

I'll give it a shot.

Thanks for the help.

You're not an idiot, it's just that they never bothered to clarify what that means....

So, I got a 'good' version and all is well now.

Thanks for the help!