Computer crashed during a windows update running XP

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

I was trying to trouble shoot a problem with a computer that would
intermittently crash every so often. The system downloaded 3 updates for
install. I shutdown and selected install updates to try to make sure I had
the latest files. During the install on 3 of 3 the system crashed again! I
knew this wasn't good. I haven't been able to restart the system. When I
boot it comes up with the windows logo and the progress bar, then it stops
with a blue screen and the following message.

Stop: c000021a {Fatal system error} The system manager intialization system
process terminated unexpectedly with a status of 0xc000026c (0x00000000
0x00000000). The system has been shut down.

Is there anyway I can recover from this situation.

I've tried booting to the startup menu with F8. I've selected restore to
last known good state, but no luck. Are there any other suggestions out
there. XP was preinstalled on the Dell computer. I don't have a MS install
disk, but have the Dell restore disk. I resisted using it because I'm
thinking it will go back to the initial state of the computer and I will
rebuild the system from scratch. Is an inplace install a good solution or
will this just make it worse? Any help from anyone would be greatly
appreciated. Thanks. - Nat

========================
Additional information:
I just wanted to make sure people knew I'm not looking to solve the reason
the computer crashed. I just trying to figure out if there is a way to
recover from a windows update that stalls, losses power, or crashes before
the installation of the updates is complete. Thanks.


.

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