DOS prompt for Windows 2000 Recovery?

I just put an IBM PC running Windows 2000 Pro through the Windows Update site. After installing a pile of updates, it rebooted but now explorer.exe fails to execute. This means no Desktop icons, Start Menu or tool bars - just a blue screen - but Windows is running underneath such that through the Task Manager, I can still launch applications via the "Switch To" tab.
I have tried the "Last Good Configuration" option via the boot menu but it did nothing. I am now looking to launch a System Recovery via the Task Manager or maybe in DOS but I haven't managed to find the program & do not know the prompt.
I would greatly appreciate any advice or assistance with this problem. If anyone knows how to do a recovery on Win 2000 without using Windows Explorer, they will be a life-saver.
Thanx in advance.

 

Does explorer show up in task manager under processes?

If by system recovery, you mean system restore--that feature doesn't exist in Windows 2000.

 

Stop the rush, I fixed it. In case anyone is interested or runs across a similar problem ie. explorer.exe failure after Windows updating, here is the solution...
From the Task Manager run "control appwiz.cpl" - which is the Add/Remove Program Wizard - & remove the offending Hotfix or Service Pack. In this case, it was Service Pack for Windows 2000, though on XP it is likely to be Hotfix KB834707. Apparently, this is a known problem so others may encounter it.

 

I'm a little hazy since its been a bit since I supported Windows 2000, but IIRC, that hotfix conflicts with certain VPN software, and causes that problem. Call Microsoft and get the hotfix for it, because you want all security updates installed, if possible.

 

PS. Thanx for your interest Adrynalyne. Explorer.exe wasn't showing under process & when I tried to execute it from the System32 folder via the Task Manager, it would just come up with the same error alert as when booting. The non-existence of a System Restore would explain my inability to find one I guess. It ain't my PC & I haven't used 2000 much, so thanx again