Windows won't restart - only shutdown and power on

[x-treme]

I have a Dell system and recently reformatted my laptop. After installing windows vista, I was able to restart my system, but once I finished installing ALL windows update, I cannot restart my computer. I make it past the boot screen, but when the green bar appears to indicate it's loading, the bar stops 3/4 of the way and I get the blue screen of death and it shuts down. I cannot make out what error is appearing. The only way I can startup again is by shutting down manually and then restarting.

How do I find out which error is occurring? The blue screen quickly appears and then it's gone - I can't catch it quick enough!

Thanks

 

[Lexluethar]

Boot into safe mode. Then go into system restore settings and uncheck the box that says "automatically restart on errors".

 

[carnageX]

Boot into safe mode. Then go into system restore settings and uncheck the box that says "automatically restart on errors".

Can also just hit F8 after the Dell logo, and choose the option that says "Disable automatic restart on system failure."

Would save having to boot up.