[G4] I need help with OSX

[SLarsonIH at aol.com]

Hi All,

I need help. I have a QS with OS9.2.2 and 10.3.9 on one partition. It's been 
running fine since I got it (about 3 months). I normally do the OSX updates 
when it says there are some available. I have no idea how to tell if I should or 
should not do each update, and since it is not my main computer yet, I do 
each one. Question one: How can I find out if I should instal an update before I 
do it?

Yesterday I received my Dual 1.8GHz upgrade card. I installed it and it runs 
like a champ. I ran programs in both 9 and X, and so far everything has been 
hunky dory. So, tonight, software update had three updaters, I think, (one iPod 
and two security) and after they were installed, I did the reboot, and the 
desktop shows up, the dock is available, but there is no menu bar, no hard drive 
icons, text (finder?) on the left side, etc. I can select anything in the 
dock, it will boot and then immediately quit, put up a box with Send Report and 
Quit App, and within a second disappear.

I tried booting up with the Option key held down, but only the OSX option 
shows up, not the OS9 option. So, what do I do now? In OS9, I'd boot OS9, install 
a new System Folder, boot from it, keep on going and fix things later. I have 
no clue as to how to fix this.

Thanks in advance
STeve