Restart after windows update fails

[Guest]

After restarting my PC after a windows update, it froze. I cannot restart in
safe mode or last known good settings. It won't restart using the Windows
set-up CD - even trying to re-install fails as the F8 key won't work to agree
to the install conditions. If I try to use the repair console, I get asked
for an admin password, which won't let me do anything. A boot disk gets me to
a command prompt but when I try to switch to drive C:, I get a messsage
saying drive c: doesn't exist. I had to sign on to a different computer to
post this message...

Help!!

 

[Glen]

Boot to the console and press enter when asked for the password. That should
work if there is no password. If there is a password you just need to put
the password in. I wasn't sure if you tried last known config or you
couldn't get that far. Try system restore from command prompt. There are
some tools and info here for recovering lost passwords. Google for more.

Recover lost NT password
http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_administrator_password.htm

System restore from command prompt
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449

 

[Guest]

I had tried both Safe Mode and Last Known Good Config and both ran initially
and then froze. Per your suggestion, I was able to get past the admin
password into the recovery console - did a directory search and it appears
just about everyhing has been wiped out somehow... though I can't be sure, as
I'm not as PC literate as I'l like to be. Any other suggestions?

 

[Glen]

Did you try running system restore from the recovery console. I would try
that. Did it work at all after running windows update? That is after running
WU and rebooting did it ever run or did it fail during the reboot after
running WU? A number of people are having problems with one particular
update.

 

[Guest]

Nothing works after the windows update unfortunately - safe mode doesn't
work, console doesn't work... very frustrating!!