No. I just did the built in restore feature. It even kept my log in cookies and everything.
The restore date was 8/20, and that update is when my problems started.
My xp machine at work are ecare supported. I guess I'll log them in tommorow and have them fix those machines.
My wife has a desk top here at home also, she hasn't mentioned any problems with hers. But she doesn't leave it on when she's not using it, so it probably didn't do the automatic update.
All of the children have left or school now, so I'm not sure if any of theirs are having any problems or not.

I don't know what the issue is with the last update, but I'm sure they will have a patch on the way.

Thanks for the link though, if I have any trouble I'll probably try it.

 

This might be over kill but the best thing i can do for any PC i get my hands on is backup all the data and find the OEM disks for that computer be it, XP PRO, XP HOME, VISTA etc.... And just load the OS with the drivers to get sound, ethernet, etc.....

Call me crazy, but it works wonders, i dont even bother trying to fix registrys or anything of the nature.

I'll do my personal computer maybe twice a year.

I got all my valuble files on different harddrives. and ill just reinstall windows, and load all the software again.

I kinda enjoy it. Its like a NEW computer when you do it.

The nice thing with the OEM disks is that they arnt restore disks, that might load all the crap back on.

 

Like you stated: factory loaded programs only. I know of no factory loads that are OS only. They all load other stuff even if it is just drivers and third party hardware software like sound and video card control panels etc.
If OS is all you had then you had a hardware fault or other incompatibilities due to built in drivers. Loading new drivers could have fixed that. The native Vista drivers are outdated. Even updated Intel chipset drivers and motherboard software can improve things.
Either way it is a moot point as you have solved it already. Enjoy your PC.