Well it doesn't need a patch every day but they are churning them out at a fair old rate atm. If there's not a patch it will still run hte bars across the screen as it checks you've got the latest patch. What to try, in order
1) Get the patcher to verify your files (bottom button on the UN\PW screen)
2) Make sure your graphics and Soundcard drivers are up to date, use driver sweeper to clear out old stuff first then install new stuff
3) Check (temporarily disable) your Anti-Virus, and Firewall software, including Windows Firewall. It may be flagging an updated patcher\exe file as a potential threat.
4) Run
HijackThis and check the log file at
http://hijackthis.de, get rid of the junk and temporarily disable non-critical services using either the task manager or preventing them at startup by going to Run > MSConfig.