Problem with windows updates

Ok. This machine has be cleaned of any viruses, spyware, malware and checked with hijackthis and confirmed clean. Only problem is I can't get update site to work. This is winxp.

I have reinstalled IE
Reset IE in Tools/options
Set the information tool bar to function in pop up settings
Made sure all active x selections are correct in IE

If you click on update and it starts the information bar does not ask to install active x but yet gives the warning in the main window it should and won't continue. It give you the option to click her to find out why then takes you to a stupid search page to search for a reason why. The information bar work everywhere else on the web but windows update. Any other ideas?

Try this. I use it frequently after malware removal.

Well none of this worked but thanks for trying. What happen was this PC had a problem and someone with no experience came in and tried to repair it and now when I get on the sceen it was reall messed up so I did a system restore and had to reinstall several programs but all is well except windows update. Would reinstalling SP2 over the top cause any problems? May just try that. I'm thinking maybe it is also messed up. The information bar does work anywhere else but windows updates.

Does this machine have a valid (and legal) Windows XP Serial Number? You cannot get direct updates from the Windows site without one; you'll have to turn on automatic updates, and even then, you'll only get the "critical updates", etc.

Good luck.

Yes it is valid. They must have 5 copies layen around for 2 PC's. It would tell you that your copy is possiblely illegal if it was and you were trying to update anyway. I'm thinken it's blocked somehow. It's not active X block because it will install when asked from other sites within the same browser.

did you check the date - update won't work if date is more than a month off ( or something like that)

Look here see if anything applies:

http://tinyurl.com/f9neg

Yet another straw to grasp, Kodiak, but have you checked the Hosts file?