Here’s a recap and a solution for this nagging problem: I had no problems re-installing Windows Vista and the drivers but the laptop would not launch Vista after the first large batch of Windows updates.  After 4 unsuccessful attempts of trying to install the first 107 Windows updates by myself, I paid Dell to assist me with the installation.  The Dell technician followed Dell Article 266615 (Manually Reinstall Your Windows Vista Operating System) which is the same procedure that I followed.  Initially, he coached me over the phone and then he remotely took control of the laptop once I had internet access. I reinstalled Windows Vista from the Dell Recovery DVD.  This step takes about 45 minutes.  This installation was successful as in previous attempts.  I had a wireless system and connected the laptop to the wireless system.  No drivers were required for this step.  The Dell technician then remotely accessed my laptop.  He installed a driver for the chipset directly from the Dell Drivers and Download Page.  He did NOT install the other recommended drivers at this time.  Windows automatically downloaded 5 updates.  I restarted the laptop to complete the installation of the one driver and the 5 window updates. The laptop restarted without any problems and successfully launched Windows Vista.  We got a message that there were 103 additional important updates.  We downloaded these updates.  This step takes close to 4 hours.  After downloading the 103 updates, Windows recommended that we restart the computer to completion the installation so we restarted the computer.  After restarting the computer, we got the SAME Windows Error Recovery Page that I had on the previous 4 unsuccessful attempts.  This page gives you the option of “repairing windows” or “starting windows normally”.  In previous attempts, I had tried both options with no success. At this point I was smiling because the Dell Tech had the same problem that I experienced multiple times while using the Dell procedure that is recommended to re-install Windows Vista.   So here’s the trick: The Dell tech requested that I select “start windows normally” from the Window Error Recovery Page.  I followed his instructions, the computer rebooted, and returned to the Window Error Recovery Page.  Same thing happened to me on my unsuccessful attempts so I was not surprised.  The Dell tech requested that I repeat the process; select “start windows normally” and let the computer reboot.  We got the same failure as above. The Dell tech requested that I manually shut down the computer, wait 20-30 seconds, and restart the computer.  Voila!!!  The laptop successfully launched Windows Vista and the 103 updates were successfully installed. It would be nice if Dell would add this little trick to Article 266615 (Manually Reinstall Your Windows Vista Operating System) so other Dell owners could avoid this problem.  It’s a simple addition that can be very beneficial to Dell laptop owners. After the successful install of the 103 updates, the Dell tech installed the remaining drivers from the Dell Driver and Download Page.  I completed the installation of multiple additional Windows updates including SP1 and SP2.  Some of the drivers got messed up after installing SP1 and had to be re-installed.  I’ve read that some folks wait until SP2 is completed before installing most of the drivers.  I’m not sure which method is best.  Dell recommends installation of the drivers AFTER Windows Vista is installed but BEFORE the installation of critical updates.  Based upon my experience, I now believe that the drivers should be installed AFTER SP1 and SP2 have been installed but this is just me opinion. I hope this write-up helps others.  Several articles in this forum have helped me in the past.
Help, I'm stuck.  I'm unable to get a Inspiron 1420 running again.  I tried to upgrade to IE 9.0.  It said it could not until SP2 was installed.  I tried to install SP2 and now the computer will not launch Windows.  The computer proceeds through the Dell screen like  it is booting ok but it goes into Windows Error Recovery Page.  This page gives me the option to Launch Startup Repair or to Start Windows Normally.  Either option just returns me to the same screen. I've tired everything:   repair, restore, restore from the install CD, Diagnostics, safe mode, etc. An extended diagnostics says all systems are fine.  I also used the diagnostics solution tree and selected the option for "system could not launch the OS"  It passed this test too. I have since done a complete reinstall of Vista and the Drivers from the original Windows Vista Install CD and Driver CD.  The install goes fine and Windows Vista appears to work fine. I can start and shut down Vista, access the internet, browse systems within Vista, etc.  Everything seems fine until I do a Windows Update.  The updater says I need 107 updates.  106 download and install ok.  KB979683 fails.   To complete the install, Windows says to shutdown and restart the computer.  The computer takes a long shutdown and say it's installing the updates. When the computer restarts, I get the Windows Error Recovery Page again.  Help, I've been struggling with this for 5 days.
Can't reinstall Windows Vista on a Dell Inspiron 1420