Windows Update crashed my computer... need help reinstalling SL-critical drivers

After installing all the critical updates for Windows, WU deemed it necessary to make windows BSOD upon startup every time, and then reboot incessently.

After a reboot (and unfortunately unplanned wipeout of many critical documents, pictures, and music files), I need some help.

Where can I find out my motherboard name, short of ripping it out of the case?

What drivers do I need to update? Video, Audio, AGP, Motherboard...?

Thanks.

LF

During boot there is often some information displayed concerning the motherboard, including firmware versions.

You might have disable the "quiet" boot or enable the text to be displayed. Some systems have decided you dont want to see the boot info and they display pretty pictures instead. This is configured in the bios, and since you are in there have a look around, you might find what you are looking for.

There are few keystroke combos used by manufacturers to get into the bios, f2, f4, and delete come to mind.

fen-

One useful program is Dr. Hardware:

http://www.downlinx.com/proghtml/164/16475.htm

Belarc makes a free motherboard detector thingie:

Belarc Advisor

That may help. Of course you have to have a basic OS on the box to run it...

thanks all

Reinstalling windows went okay, the fourth time through... now I just gotta snag the appropriate drivers.