Windows crashes when logging in after accidently aborted win update

I was getting ready for bed yesterday and turned off my laptop. I forgot that i had taken out the battery, so when i unplugged the power cord the machine died in the middle of a windows update. Now, whenever i try to log onto the laptop, windows stop working. When i ctrl - alt - del and log off my profile, it returns to the log on screen. I try to hit the install updates and shut down button, but it just shuts down immediately. When i turn it back on it says it's configuring updates, goes to the login screen and i get the same message when i log in.

I'm now stuck in this cycle, with several friends telling me i have to reinstall windows.
Anything i can do to fix this problem?

(I'm really hopeless with computers, so this is the best information i can provide without some guidance)

Try System Restore

OPTION TWO
Through System Recovery Options at Boot

You should choose a Restore point that was created before the update started.

Layback Bear said:

This might help and can't hurt. sfc /scannow from comd prompt. If it finds and fixes a problem run it two more times.

Went over to an IT-friend of mine. Tried all the above to no avail. Midways into it however, we remembered that i have two separate hard-drives, one containing only windows 7 and the other one containing all my files and backups for all the drivers. We opted to take the easy way out and reinstall windows.

Thanks for the quick replies and all the help, you guys are the best, even if the problem was "unsolvable" with the exception of a reinstall.

-Ixiaz