I have started to update windows Windows Vista® Home Premium with the latest update from windows however when the computer restarted it says sometihg like:

installing update 3 of 3 0% complete
it appears to have finished, the logon screen flashes and then ... windows is shutting down.
the computer loops and fails and shutsback down each time.

i have tried all the startup options: safe mode, system repair etc (the options that can be accessed using f12 before windsows starts to load) using the repair option i eventually get to a screen which says:

FAILED
Failed to Nobulate mack to manufacturing media <A:>
Fail this system to EMR. do not restart the system.

I have not tried yet to format the computer that is a last resort
any help would be appreciated

I.ve just spoken with my son, who is an installation techniican with DEll
He tells me, fwiw, that you last option is the one he employs whenever he encounters this (rare) fault.
He has been unsuccesful with getting any information regarding the fault from his HO (lol) They muttered something about a faulty image on the hard disk. Apparently a reformat followed by a reinstallation cures the problem - for him, anyway!