Vista - Update problem

system information:
Edition: Windows Vista Home Premium
Model: Presario C700 Notebook PC
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual CPU T2310, 1.46GHz
RAM: 1014MiB
System Type: 32-Bit OS
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My problem:
So, Yes this is a....*cough* Compaq....Hey at least its not a gateway! Anyway, When I turn on the PC of course it says I have updates available, thus I download them. Well, Once they are downloaded and installed, I restart to finish the process and I get a black screen that says that "ntoskrnl.exe" is missing.

What I have tried:
1) used all the "tap f8" commands - none work
2) Compaq comes with 7 (or so) option at start up - did all of them
3) completed a disk check, memory test and start up recovery test - to no avail
4) And of course because going to Google is much easier, I went there for help, and they explained how to fix it, which I followed, but don't have a disc as this comp was given to me. I have a Toshiba, windows vista disc which is not supported!
5) Vista does not come with System Recovery to start fresh!
**6) This one worked, I used system restore to basically undo the updates I just did (rolled back a day) and it works just fine. So, whats in these updates that is not allowing me to start up properly?

When I ask people, they just say "don't update then", which is not the "right" way to do it!!!
Thanks in advance
Shaddow

This any conflict between hotfixes and drivers/hardware

Try update drivers for everything especialy chipset drivers,video drivers,network card drivers, flash new BIOS

Maybe you need to have to contact with HP support HP United States - Computers, Laptops, Servers, Printers and more