IE problems with updates, downloads

[BIGO]

I have just cleaned up a teacher friend's home computer of multiple viruses using AVG. She has a Dell Dimension 2350 running XP|home with SP2 installed. Everything seems to be working OK, now, except I can't get to some key downloads. Three examples:
1. Will not load Microsoft's Windows update site. It gives me a blank screen (not the error-404 screen) and says "done" in the lower info bar. I can, however, get to sites like support.microsoft.com.

2. Trying to get to Adaware (or anything else) from Download.com, after I click the "Download Now," button, after only a second or so, I get the message, "Thank you for downloading," but there is no file downloaded

3. Trying to download Firefox, I got to a screen that says "Click the button below to download." There are two arrows pointing to where the download button is supposed to be, but no button shows!

I have enabled (with prompt) active x controls and similar security options and don't know what to try next. Please HELP! Thanks...

[BipolarBill]

Try repairing:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

You must be sure that the PC is free of bugs first. Scan in Safe Mode with these:

http://www.sunbelt-software.com/CounterSpy.cfm

http://www.free-av.com/

You can always download Firefox on another PC and then copy it over.

[BIGO]

Thanks, BPB! The reason I was trying to get Firefox on her machine was primarily to circumvent the download probs on IE, but I'll try your other suggestions first. I did the AVG cleanup in safe mode with restore turned off.

[Rocketmech]

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFIX.htm

[BIGO]

Thanks a bunch Rocket....that looks like what I need. I'll run BPB's av apps then try this. :)

[Midknyte]

did you bother to look at this thread? the IEFIX is already there:

Antivirus/Antispy (http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=161595)

[BIGO]

Thanks, Midknyte . . .have checked that thread a few times, but missed that.

[BipolarBill]

When IE is broken, it's usually due to spyware - not viruses. Scan for spyware.

[dajogejr]

IF you have a thumb drive or USB jump drive, pickup firefox mobile.

The day I put it on my thumbdrive I had to use it for a buddy's PC that broke IE and had no other way to get to the Internet....very handy, and in the av/antispy thread Midkynte linked to...

[BIGO]

what a neat idea...thanks