Windows won't start after Windows Update

[Stakeout]

running 6yr old Gateway Desktop Media Center Edition (Windows XP
Professional)SP2... 2 gb RAM.. two 160gb hard drives..as a backup have all
data and many pics backed up on external 320gb hard drive..this is used as
Main PC in 3 PC Home Network..

notified of Windows Update yesterday morning..high priority.. believe it
said FS Card 170kb or close to that .. d/l and installed

short while later I attempted to reboot.. Windows would NOT start.. black
text screen appeared.. with 5 options for restarts... including 3 Safe Mode
ones... none would work... all reverted back to same black text screen...
tried and retried many many times.. no good...

only thing that is working is the DSL modem and the router that are hooked
up to the Gateway PC so I am able to get online thru this laptop...

can I use my original Gateway Windows XP disk to restart windows.. I have
not so far .. thought it might affect the DSL and router shutting them down..
but not sure.. don't want to lose access to online.. do I have to access the
BIOS option window then use the start with CD

if anyone has any info would appreciate any advice on best course of action
to restart Windows..

thanx

[Pegasus (MVP)]

"Stakeout" <Stak...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4CCA8861-8CB0-4799...@microsoft.com...

I would try a manual System Restore: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545.

[Stak...@discussions.microsoft.com]

according to that article I can't use that procedure since I have an
OEM installed Windows XP system from Gateway...

[Pegasus (MVP)]

<Stak...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:%23KMVc7d...@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

If you follow the instructions verbatim then you have a full backout path in
case things get from bad to worse. Furthermore, if you restrict yourself to
the System and/or Software hive files then the restore will probably work.
It's worth a try . . .