I just purchased a new Dell laptop, with a Vista O/S. I had the store install Microsoft Office on it (Word, Excel, etc.). I started up the computer for the first time, connected it to my wireless network at home, and everything was working fine. I activated the free 15-month Trend Micro Security software, and restarted. Again, all is working perfectly fine at this point.

Then, I downloaded and installed the Windows Security updates. Now, my computer won't restart, and it's telling me to contact the manufacturer/place of purchase to get it fixed. WTF?!

Should I not have run the Windows Security Updates? Am I wrong in thinking they are ok to run!?

sounds more like an issue with the computer itself? i have been running updates every wed night now for a year and nothing like that on my vista machine.

you may want to start up in safe mode, hitting f5 or f8 (cant recall which it is) as the machine is booting up. enter it with networking and uninstall all the updates from add remove programs/show updates

So I took the computer back to the store, they tried doing some work on it, and ended up just exchanging it for a new laptop (ie, same model, just a new one).

They said that the problem I had is somewhat common, and that the Windows Updates are good to run, but just to "be careful" with them. What the hell does that mean?!

Are there any I should be leary of adding to the laptop?

i wouldnt say leary. some programs require access to the internet and some updates may restart your firewall. if you have had this disabled in the past your programs had no problems. but if it gets turned back on, some of the programs may not work properly

Would you recomend that I attempt to install all the Windows updates again, given it's a new version of the same laptop (they luckily had one in stock)? Or am I pressing my luck, and should assume that since it's the same computer, I'll have the same issues again?

(PS - thanks for your help!)

what you can do, to be better safe than sorry, is when you do the updates, do a custom update.

this will show each update and allow you to pick and chose which update you install

once you have this list, and all are installed if the issue arises again, you can boot up in safe mode.

to do this just as the dell (or toshiba or whatever brand you have) screen shows up, before the windows logo screen, you should press either f5 or f8 or possibly f10 (depending on your system).

this will allow you to use your computer in safe mode and pick and choose which update youd like to remove. this may seem like a pain in the ass, but it will isolate which update screwed you up.

if you remove a update, reboot, and see if the PC is ok

if not, reboot in safe mode and remove the next update

reboot and see if the pc is ok

repeat as necessary

I know this is a pain but it will isolate the issue and allow you to move forward as to how you can update your system/driver/application without screwing up your PC