XT2 XFR - Slow to boot, flashing cursor - all since windows update

I have a strange problem which has stated since last patch update from Microsoft (not drawing any conclusions)

The PC is fairly new (less than a couple of weeks) and since the patch Tuesday (weds in the UK) it displays the following characteristics

BOOT SEQUENCE – Now before entering Windows GUI mode (ie W7 splashscreen) the screen is bland with a cursor line flashing in top left for 30 seconds.

LID CLOSE – Seems not to recover from a lid close, have to take the battery out / remove power.

I also noticed that in the BIOS it was set to IRRD, but now is on ATA… IRRD crashes windows.

Im going to run the BIOS tests now and see what happens...

OS Name             Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
Version                6.1.7600 Build 7600
System Manufacturer    Dell Inc.
System Model   Latitude XT2
System Type      x64-based PC
Processor            Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     U9600  @ 1.60GHz, 1601 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date          Dell Inc. A09, 05/05/2010
SMBIOS Version               2.4
Windows Directory         C:\Windows
System Directory             C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device        \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale   United Kingdom
Hardware Abstraction Layer        Version = "6.1.7600.16385"
Installed Physical Memory (RAM)             5.00 GB
Total Physical Memory  4.89 GB
Available Physical Memory          3.32 GB
Total Virtual Memory     9.78 GB
Available Virtual Memory             8.04 GB
Page File Space 4.89 GB
Page File              C:\pagefile.sys