I have a very strange situation with my main desktop system (MSI, Pentium 4, 2.4 GHz, Win XP SP3, IE7, Firefox 3.0.8) in that, despite Internet connectivity showing connected (in both Windows and Network Magic Pro 5) I cannot access Windows Update. I am also unable to access many other websites. However, Symantec Live Update functions properly. The situation is quite complex, given that the system was idle for about three months. On restarting the system, I updated my NIS 2008, my Zone Alarm Suite 8 before attempting to update Windows. When I finally tried to update Windows, the relevant webpage stuck on "searching for updates" for a prolonged period (greater than 15 minutes). I suffered a continuous rebooting situation which was finally resolved through Microsoft telephone support staff assistance. Folowing correction of the continuous rebooting problem, I was required to restart my system for some reason other than a Windows update requirement. When the close down reached the stage on "Do not switch the computer off, updating windows (1 of 10)", the display remained on that screen for over three hours before I finally rebooted the system. I do not know how any updates were downloaded, because the Windowa Update process did not go beyond the "searching for updates stage". On a further manual shutdown, the closing screen referred to "Do not shut off the system, Windows is applying updates (2 of 10)". However, on a subsequent manual shutdown, the closing screen reverted to "... updating (1 of 10)", with the system never shutting down automatically. The last update in the Update History was in late Dec 08. I have attached a Word document with as much description and supporting screen shots as I can provide at this time (Please disregard the last portion which refers to a similar problem with my wireless connected (Cisco Linksys WRT 160N V2 new router, at least for now). Any help. advice, and or other assistance to resolve this perplexing situation will be very greatly appreciated. Arbyem
