Hey, go through this list, (carefully) and try after checking it:
Recheck this list closely. Consider this the level 1
checklist for Windows Update (on-line update) problems.
Check
>your system & settings before using Windows Update.
>
>Make very sure your pc has the correct & current date -
& local time at where you are. (just in case. Having
incorrect time
>will give the W U servers/programs a hiccup.) (ie,
don't have it a day ahead or backdated)
>
>Insure you have not turned off some key windows services
in XP (maybe win2000/ME).
>Just some of the services that need to be running:
>System Restore
>RPC remote procedure call service
>Cryptography service
>
>Do some cleanups first. Run Disk Cleanup to delete
temporary internet files & cache.
>Insure you have plenty of FREE space.
>
>Do you have a firewall ? using Sygate? using Norton
Internet Security?
>If you are running Proxomitron, turn it off .
>
>If you are using a firewall, either turn it off or
insure Internet Explorer has access permissions to
internet.
>Insure your antivirus is _not blocking_ scripts ,
ActiveX programs, etc. Maybe turn it off.
>
>If you have Norton Personal Firewall / Norton Internet
Security or Sygate Personal Firewall , insure they allow
>showing a valid User Agent string for the Internet
Explorer browser.
>Otherwise, Windows Update will assume & show you might
be running an unknown Windows version.
>Precautions should also to be taken with "ad blocking"
utilities. It's best to turn those off.
>They will interfere with functions of Internet Explorer,
which are needed at Windows Update site.
>
>Have you rechecked the settings in your Internet
Explorer ?
>You may get to the windows update site, but yet a
setting in IE could be the blocker.
>
>Recheck your Security & Privacy settings AND the
ADVANCED settings in I.E.
>
>1. In Internet Explorer> Tools, click Internet Options,
and then click Languages....
>If this box is empty, add at least one language -- your
usual national language.
>If you happen to have 2 or more, move English up on
this list.
>
>2. Disable your Discussion Bar in Internet Explorer:
Click
>View. Point to Explorer Bar.
>
>Click Discuss to *remove the check mark* and disable (
clear ) this .
>
>3. I. E. Tools >Internet Options > Advanced Tab >
(scroll down thru the list)
>
>These are "some" of the items that I do have CHECKed
(selected):
>Under HTTP 1.1 settings --
>Use HTTP 1.1 (ON / Selected)
>
>and under Security :
>Clear (un-check) the check box next to "Check for
server certificate revocation" . ( *OFF* )
>
>*Uncheck* Require server verification. ( * OFF * )
>
>Use SSL 2.0 (ON / selected)
>Use SSL 3.0 (ON)
>Use TLS 1.0 (ON)
>
>4. Internet Explorer > Tools > Internet Options >
Connections Tab
> Click on LAN Settings > * Uncheck* the Automatically
detect settings.
> Make sure _no other_ settings on this screen are
enabled.
>
>5. Internet Explorer > main menu /Tools/Internet Options
>
>
>Security Tab/ click on green icon Trusted Sites/click
Sites
>button.
>
>Add these 3 entries to list of "Trusted Sites" -- the
syntax as
>follows -- with the * wildcard:
>
> *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com <<<- *dot
>
> *.download.windowsupdate.com <<<- *dot
>
>v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
>
>
>Make sure you are not *disabling* any scripting
capabilities in I.E.
>
>Recheck ActiveX acceptance. Instead of disable, try
using "prompt".
>
>On the SECURITY Tab > Custom level button > recheck all
entries
>under Settings. Review items that you may have disabled.
>
>Apply changes to I.E. & exit out of it.
>
>If you were to look at the Windows update log, it may
have an entry (entries) with Error that
>would help to pin-down your pc's problem with Windows
Update on-line functions.
>%WINDIR%\Windows Update.log
>
>C:\Windows\Windows Update.log (for Win XP)
>C:\WINNT\Windows Update.log (for Win XP & WIN2000 )
>
>--
>Maurice N
>MVP Windows - Shell / User
>.
>
.