I had same problem as flip. I was able to restore system to previous
settings. I reintalled latest critical updates and system again would not
boot as it flash blue screen of death (too quick to read anything) while
loading operating system. I have xp home and office 2003 updates. It let me
boot in safe mode where I again restored to prior settings. The third time I
installed the critical update I disabled Norton Antivirus first. This third
time was the charm as system now boots properly with updates. Thanks for
advise PA Bear about disabling NAV first.

"PA Bear" wrote:

> > As it turns out, it accepted 2 of the updates but not KB890830.
>
> Is 890830 found in Add/Remove Programs (make sure Show Updates is checked)?
>
> Does Windows Update offer 890830 to you again?
>
> (It might be worthwhile to disable NAV before installing updates, Flip.)
>
> How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
> Update Services installation issues:
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=906602
>
> 1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section of
> http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=ph;en-us;6527
>
> 2. You cannot install some updates or programs
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;822798
>
> 3a. Check Windowsupdate.log (%windir%\Windowsupdate.log) for errors
> associated with the download/install.
>
> How to read the Windowsupdate.log file:
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=902093
>
> 3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
> http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/archive...date_codes.htm and/or go to
> http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support link in left
> pane > Solve problems on your own.
>
> 4. Windows Update Checklist:
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/updtcl.htm
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE, Shell/User, Security), Aumha.org VSOP, DTS-L.org
>
>
> Flip wrote:
> > I have a desktop computer with Windows XP Home Edition (Ver. 2002)
> > Service
> > Pack 2
> > It has a Pent 4 Cpu 1.8GHz 512mb of RAM
> >
> > I do updates regularly and have Norton AntiVirus 2005 on it as well as
> > various spyware guards. These too are updated and run regularly. I last
> > ran the Windows Update on Dec. 14th, 05. It took 3 updates, KB890830,
> > KB905915 and KB910437. I shut the computer down for the night and the
> > next day when my daughter booted it upit started to shut down and reboot
> > on its own. As it turns out, it accepted 2 of the updates but not
> > KB890830.
> >
> > I can turn the computer on cold and it will cycle through to the Windows
> > page and then I get a blue screen with words real fast and then it just
> > shuts down and restarts and comes to the screen where it asks if I want
> > to start in safe mode. I can start in safe mode. I can start in safe
> > mode with networking. There is no specific time they stay on before they
> > shut down. Sometimes it reboots again. Sometimes the screen gets frozen
> > in 'Windows xp' other times it is in the scrolling safe mode words for a
> > long time before it starts up. I have tried to do a System restore in
> > safe mode as well as when it has booted to the regular screen. When it
> > has been able to run all the way through I get a message that says it
> > cannot restore to that date, pick another date.
> >
> > If anyone can help me with this or has any idea of what route i should
> > take, short of reformatting, please let me know.
> > Thank You,
> > V.E.P.
>
>