X200 won't boot after driver update - hangs on startup; please help!!

When I boot up now my screen goes to "Windows XP," then hangs on a blank blue screen (not BSD) - won't go any further. Scoured other forums and have not found a solution - tried:

1. Disabling VT-d in BIOS

2. Loading defaults in BIOS

3, boot into diagnostics from BIOS

4. Removed primary battery *have not yet tried removing backup battery)



How do I boot windows XP in safe mode using this computer?



Also tried F11 *disk doctor" - it would not launch.



This all happened as I was configuring my system today for the first time (relatively new system) and performed many driver updates - did this one by one and things were going fine. Then, I discovered the ThinkPad System Update package - installed this and then it scanned automatically for driver updates - I did three at once (I think one was finger print reader drive, one AMT 4.2, and the other some Microsoft hotfix) - after this, no starting up. I know there's a BIOS update to do (3.11 - I have 3.10) and I have created the boot CD for this though don;t have my base station/CD with me so I have to wait to try this until tomorrow.



Any ideas? Please help - this is insane, and I am kicking myself as I knew I should have kept doing these one by one and I also need a good imaging program to create images after each successful update so I could just roll back on an unsuccessful one - is there a "SuperDuper!" imaging program for Windows ("SuperDuper! Is the one I use for Mac)?



Thank you.

 

To boot into safe mode in pretty much any computer, tap F8 (you might want to just continuously tap it) right after the BIOS loading screen and before the Windows loading screen.

Since the system is new, would it be feasible to just start over and reformat?

Also I would still recommend using System Update, it is a legitimate and useful tool used by many. Just don't mix it with other stuff.

 

I just booted into safe mode, though had some trouble logging on because it's a corporate laptop and I did not have the local logon information (ridiculous, I know). BTW, I had already tried F8 and was getting a "Boot to Safe Mode returns Error 0210:Stuck Key 42" error, though kept trying and was able to get it to bring up the boot menu. Once in, I used system restore and it worked like a charm. The problem was either the Window XP KB970685 update or the lenovo finger print driver update (I think it was the MS update).

Now I am just looking for a great program (like SuperDuper! on the Mac side) for imaging with differential capabilities and I'll be all set - any suggestions?

Thank you, and Happy New Year!

 

If its a corporate laptop just give it to IT on Monday and forget about it. Why pull your hair out over something not yours? Enjoy your time off instead.