Vaio laptop crashed after recent update

My laptop crashed after recent update. Firefox locked up during browsing session and after hard boot the OS will notstartup. I can get to the flag logo screen but thats it. Safe mode doesn't work, it gets me to a wallpaper screen with no icons or toolbar then tries to reboot after a time. Hard drive light has a steady blink every 2 seconds. Not a flicker as a normal HD does. Not sure if it's my hard drive (full?) or the update ( coincidence?). Help!

Hi Dr.Tinkerer, Thanks for the response. Right up front, I'm not as computer savy as some. That being said I have not tried to boot into BIOS screen. If I can get to the BIOS screen can I get to safe mode? Thanks, Rocket

Boot into System Recovery Options to run Startup Repair.

It should automate System Restore, but if not run it manually from the Options list if the Repairs don't work.

If these fail everything possible that can be done is here for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start

I'll give it a try, Thanks for your help.

Is there any way to tell if the HDD is toasted?

Hi Dr. , Is it true that you won't be able to get into the BIOS screen if your HDD is bad?

Thanks Dr., I do have a Win 7 upgrade disc. I'll check my BIOS settings and use the disc to boot through the DVD drive. Hopefully it can repair any problems. Can't thank you enough for your time and help (also the sony link). Rocket