windows hangs on normal startup at welcome, but not in safe mode

so i have my computer (HP laptop) with windows 7 home premium, setup to auto update everything. i selected that option when i had to do a system restore from the recovery discs back in july. managed to save all my data, and create the 4 discs. been going well. a week ago, it auto downloaded a windows update that would freeze the computer at installing updates. so i went in under safe mode, and did a system, restore to prior to the update. forgot to turn off the auto updater. it re-downloaded the auto update, and froze it again. this time when i did the system restore, it did not apparently work. ive tried it 4 or 5 times now. it will state that the system has restored, and allow me to type in my passowrd, but then hang at the welcome screen with the circle. sat there for about 24 hours this time. never moved off that screen. it boots quickly and operates fone in safe mode.

so what do i do?

im a mechanic, not a computer guy, so please keep the explanation simple. id prefer not to have to salvage all my data off thsi thing again to do the 4 disc deal.

thanks
Michael