now, here's a bizarre problem.

it comes up with an error in rpcrtremote.dll, which i can't get a straight answer on. it looks like a file network admins would use to call the rpc. but, the internet thinks it has to do with windows update. mmmmhmmm.

if i just delete the file, i get to the logon screen, but the keyboard is unresponsive and i can't ctrl-alt-del to get in. i'm using a ps/2 keyboard that clearly works just fine. that would suggest to me that there's some kind of corrupted ps/2 driver, but that's almost a contradiction in terms - ps/2 is so basic...that's why i use it....

i'm going to try another format and just reboot a few times and see what happens.