Major computer trouble?

I have a new laptop which i have had for less than 6 months, i installed a windows update file and when it had finished the computer froze so i had to switch it off by holding in the power button. When i loaded the computer up again it goes past the welcome screen with the music but then comes onto a black screen with the cursor in the centre, i have tried loading task manager but this does not work. I have booted in safe mode also but this just brings me to the same screen. I really dont want to have to format the laptop because i do have some work and things on there which although not life threatening would be a huge pain to have to re-do. So any suggestions?

 

Download a Knoppix cd boot from it and copy your files you want to keep to something else (flash,cd) and reload.

If safe mode will not work, last known has probably been written over. (I was told it was a one shot deal - try it before anything else - like safe mode)

Or if you have an actual XP disk do a repair install by skipping the first repair option and when it detects a previous Win Install select repair.

 

Are you really really sure it was a Windows update file, there are some fake ones going around.

When you post again post also some details of the laptop and operating system version.