Windows updates

[docusk]

I have been trying for over a week to download the latest patches etc. from the MS update site.
It starts looking for the updates, 0% appears then an error message saying it can't access the site.
I shot off a mail to MS but, no reply (no surprises there eh?)
I can't think of anything I've done to my puter. I'm running Win XP pro and Office XP pro and no probs. Weekly defrags to both HD s Norton AV and Mailwasher spam remover (full version) Adaware & spybot in use.
Any suggestions welcomed.

Docusk Reading England. :(

[r8500]

what is the url of the site you are going to?

[Baddog]

Make sure you have the correct date a time on your computer in the task bar.

[r8500]

Also, have you done windows updates before? That site has to load something to be able to do the updates, so make sure you don't have your security to high.

[docusk]

Thanks for the replies Gents.
This is the URL. Yes the date/time is correct and I have used the update for years now. I've taken thesecurity level down to minimum and still no joy.
This is a sudden thing., weel about 3 weeks now perhaps. My viruses are up to date and regularly run checks. Must be something insignificant byt vital (as these things usually are)

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp
I could spit!
Docusk.

[Philip1952]

Do a online scan at one of the antivirus sites and see what is says. You might have something that has turned you antivirus off.

www.pcpitstop.com has a free online scan from McAfee.

[rraehal]

Try looking through this page:
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/

It has helped me fix connection problems to windowsupdate before.

[docusk]

Thank you rrhaehal and others. The troubleshooter link was the winner. I found the symptoms and dug into the registry, just changed the item and BINGO all is now well!
It has unearthed yet another fault, possibly linked which is when I try to navigate round some websites the part I want just flashes up on the screen for less than a tenth of a second but won't stay.
I've set up for all cookies, low security rating in IE 6. Anything I've missed?

Doc. :-@