Can't open programs after installing latest Windows update.

Having a bit of a major issue with the latest Windows update. Whenever it installs, the next time I start up the computer and log in, no programs will open. The programs that normally run on startup (i.e. Norton 360, ASUS SmartDoctor, Catalyst Control Centre) don't run, and when I try to open any other programs, nothing happens. Even Cntrl-Alt-Delete doesn't do anything, and I can't shut the computer down, because clicking on the shutdown button doesn't produce any results. I've just had to power down the computer, then run it in Safe Mode, which allows me to get into the control panel and run a System Restore to remove the update. After I do that, everything works fine, until I have to shut down the computer, whereupon the update installs and messes everything up again. I've been putting the computer into Hibernation mode instead of shutting it down, but even that doesn't work brilliantly: it woke me up at 4 am this morning, booting itself up and trying to install this update. It seems to have powered up during the day today, installed the update, and now keeps forcing me to postpone a restart. Totally and utterly maddening, it's like living with a demanding child. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the tip! The problem seems to have resolved itself, after a bit of upheaval, which went as follows:

Booted up the computer just now.

Found that the update seemed to have installed itself again sneakily.

Powered down the computer and booted it up in safe mode, then did a system restore.

Booted up to the same problem.

Repeated process and restored to an earlier restore point.

Booted up, then logged in to a totally black screen, with only the cursor showing.

Powered down again, booted up in safe mode, undid the system restore.

Booted up again, logged in to the same black screen. Went away and left it, then came back in 10 minutes to find that it had loaded up properly. At the moment, everything's working fine. But who knows what'll happen when I try to start the thing up again next time?

Please post the requested data - it will help identify the problem.