Vista updates

I am operating a Vista Ultimate 64x (version 6 - SP1) operating system with

2GB RAMM,

using an AMD dual 64 processor and a 360GB HD

There are so many Windows updates that it is really a pain.

My problem For some reason when the updates start (I can hear the HD

working like

crazy) which shows a fleeting notice that it is updating, my system seems to

come to a

drastic slowdown.

While this is happening, when I try and open Internet Explorer 7 it opens

and then

freezes for sometimes as long as two minutes before the cursor starts

blinking and

I can access websites.

I did a restore to a previous date when I hadn't had this happen and things

started

working great again until the next update and WHAM, I am back to the

slowdown.

I'm not trying to diss Vista but I never had this problem with WinXP..

Anyone have any ideas on how to correct this problem?

I am using Firefox as a backup browser and it doesn't have this problem,

even

when the update is occurring?????

Thanks,

Jack