Vista black screen in lieu of Welcome Screen

I must assume that others have experienced this issue simply by the volume of questions via Google.

It appears there may have been a Vista update around Sept/Oct that rendered many Vista users with the above black screen. (However, it should be noted that it's been reported for over a year so it is either something that can happen with all updates OR just the way Vista responds to any issues.)

When turning the computer back on after this, the computer loads the Gigabyte screen, etc. but, when it gets to what should be the Welcome Screen, there is nothing but blackness and a white cursor. I had been getting messages about bad memory (didn't realize that my Crucial stix needed to be adjusted to 2.2V manually) so I assumed that was the problem. I sent them back to Gigabyte --- installed the new ones tonight and, you got it, same problem. Checking online I discovered this is a common and unsolved Vista issue. The only option left to me is to reinstall Vista and hope for the best. I went to MS but they want $59 +Tax to answer any questions on OS over 90-days (I installed in April but didn't actually use it until mid May because of a dead MoBo, not that it matters), but I did check out their little pre-fab answers and, while they acknowledge this issue and tell you to reinstall and something about Tfx or something or other, they claim to have fixed it with Service Pack 1. Since I built my computer from scratch and the only OS installed is the Vista Home Premium 64 bit Service Pack 1, this is obviously a falsehood.

So, anyone else with this issue? How did you handle it? Can you trace the problem so that it might be avoided in the future?

Any help or advice about this issue would be greatly appreciated.

I put the Vista CD in the computer and turned on the machine. I went into BIOS and changed the boot drive to CDROM and restarted the comp. It opened up as usual then went to the screen re: Safe Mode startup. I chose Safe Mode then it asked if I wanted to boot from a CD or DVD...press any key, which I did. And nothing but black screen.

Back in March/April, you guys were really helpful when directing me to build my first computer. You guys also assured me that I was to come to this site before doing anything should I run into trouble. I know it isn't as easy or as fun to help out with these issues but I really was hoping I could come here and find people just as ready to help as before. You'll get 25 posts in an hour if you ask about GT vs GTS video but not so much with after-build mind-boggling issues!

Sorry, but I'm really frustrated with this and have no idea where to turn. I spent my savings building this computer ($2900) and now, with the economy, I've not a penny to spare so I really need to find out how to fix this without paying. I've had my computer since the latter part of April but have only had it up and running aout 4 1/2 months because of this and a bad mobo. Please please please help!