Windows 7 stuck on Welcome after update

[Zapp]

Last night, my computer automatically ran Windows Update when I turned it off.
Now, this morning, it doesn't get past the 'Welcome' message when booting up.

First, I tried to boot in safe mode and run system restore, but the oldest restore point did not fix the problem. It even made it worse, because now I cannot even boot into safe mode any more. It just stays stuck on a black screen with only the mouse cursor visible.

Then I tried to pres F8 and run system repair, but this also did nothing to help me.
Finally, I tried booting up from my windows disc and repairing, but also nothing. Also, I cannot do an upgrade from the disc. Only thing that is possible is a clean install, which I really don't want cause I'll lose all my preferences and installed programs.

What else can I do?

 

[matts6887]

Well; unfortunately; since you have already tried all the obvious ways of possibly returning the system to normal but nothing works; you may have no choice but to do a clean install of windows. I hope you have at the very least remembered to back up anything important you know you want/need to keep. It sounds to me like something either got corrupted in the windows update process or something else along those lines happened causing this to happen.

 

[Zapp]

Yeah, I have the important things on backup, but it's still a drag to reconfigure everything.

I do have two harddrives in my computer. Isn't it possible to install windows on the other drive and then try to fix it from that install? What is it I can do then?

 

[Kaktussoft]

You can undo the system restore in "windows recovery environment" (repair your computer) by doing a system restore with name "undo system restore" (or something alike)

 

[gregrocker]

I'd also try another System Restore point to see if you can get it to complete from the disk's System Recovery Options.

Everything that possibly can be done to start Win7 is compiled here in Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start leading up to if necessary rescuiing your files to do a perfect Clean Reinstall Windows 7

 

[Kaktussoft]

it doesn't get past the 'Welcome' message when booting up.

You mean the 'Welcome' message that appear AFTER logon? Actually that's the only welcome message I know btw.

 

[Pauly]

Also remember that system restore from WinRE is not reversible, its a one way ticket, your restore from safe mode should be reversible though