I keep trying to get to the microsoft update page,but it keeps timing out. Page not found. I tried getting there typing in the address and by using my Start button and then Microsoft update. I noticed that Win XP will not be supplied with updates anymore after July 2010. Every time I go onto a site a message comes up telling me my security is too low. I put the security bar all the way to the top and the same message still pops up. Is this a trojan or something ? Please help me. I'm using XP home with SP2.
Cathy

Yes, Cathy. As of this summer you will need SP3 to continue getting updates for your XP.

See if these direct links will work. If you are looking to download SP3, this is the page... XP SP3

This link takes you to the XP Update page... XP Updates

How are you trying to get there?

Will SP3 affect my adventure games that I play ?

It hasn't affected anything at all on my XP hard drive, including all my adventure and casual games. And if you don't update to SP3, if you want to stay safe after July, you'd have to think about going off-line. And they will only support XP SP3 until April 2014 the last I heard.

Hi Draclvr
I tried the links you supplied but its the same thing. I can get to the site but when I click on the microsoft update or any of the SP3 links I still get timed out. I turned on my automatic updates again ( I had them off before) and restarted the computer but still get a times out page. This has me really stumped. I ran AVG and Spybot and adaware but nothing showed up on those as a trojan or anything for that matter.Thanks for your help by the way. Any other suggestions ? I tried getting there from my control panel and your links and from the Start menu.

OK it just happened again. I was looking at the upcoming games on this site and the warning came up again. The site it directed me to is wonspawn.com. I didn't allow anything but I typed in the address above but it said that it could not display the site because I am not logged in. This is sounding like a hyjack or something. It sure dosen't sound like a microsoft site. Could someone confirm this please. The next time it comes up I will write down the exact warning.

Cathy, it definitely sounds like you have a nasty. If you don't already have it, download and run Malwarebytes. You can find it here.

Hi Drac
I already did that and ran malwarebytes. It came up with a few things that I got rid of. That pop up thing seems to be gone but I still can not download ANYTHING from the Microsoft site. I even tried to update Direct X and the page can't be found came up. I am at a complete loss.

Me too. Hopefully, Jenny or Inland will have some ideas for you. I finally had to quit reading and go to bed at 2:30 am last night!!

I've had a similar problem a few yars ago. But I only got it fixed by doing a clean swipe and reinstall everything.

But you could always try to grab the files over at FileHippo and see if it works that way

http://www.filehippo.com/software/drivers/

That's what I'd do. It's the only way you can know for sure that you got rid of it.

Malware Bytes generally does the job, however for those that it can't fix try SmitfraudFix - you can find it below:

SmitFraudFix.exe

Edit -

Or as an alternative you can download the file directly from SiRi - (which also includes the instructions to run it).

SmitFraudFix v2.423 (WinXP, Win2K)

Hi Inland
I tried the above Fix but it dosen't seem to have done anything. I still can't get the windows update page to load. Iv'e never had to reinstall my OS before and I'm a little afraid to do it.
Any suggestions ?

Just to cover all the bases, have you tried a System Restore to a time before the issues started?

Yes Drac I have. I've even went back 3 weeks.
I re-ran all my antivirus and malwarebytes and every other security program I have. Adaware and spybot and AVG and Ccleaner. I still can't download anything from win/update. All my other stuff still works the same. Games, Docs, sites,
websites (except win update) email,videos. Like I said I'm stumped. If you have anymore suggestions I would be happy to try them. Thank you all for trying to help me. As you can see I am really trying to avoid doing a re format.

Cathy

I'm stumped. Can you go to ANY of the Microsoft websites? If all else fails, you could order a CD with SP 3 on it. I have one and I think it was about $3. I don't know what it would be with shipping to Canada.

Have you tried simply turning automatic updates back on and rebooting the computer? Not doing a restart, but turning it off and turning it back on maybe more than once to see if it detects that the machine needs updates?

Hi Drac
I can use the above links to get to the sites, but when I try to download ANYTHING from them or any of the links provided on the sites /links ,I get nothing. Page can't be found shows up again.
I turned Automatic update back on and when it searches for win update it can't be found. (the page). Hey Smiley.. The direct X update did download from filehippo. Thank you for the link.

Cathy, I found this on the Microsoft website. It may not apply if you didn't do a repair install recently, but the info about reinstalling the Windows Update Manager might help. See what you think. I did find a lot of hits on a Google search of "Windows Update Not Working." Reinstall or Register Update Agent The reinstall won't work obviously, but maybe the register option will???

You might want to wait to see what Inland or Jenny has to say tomorrow.

Unless you get rid of the infection, it will just continue blocking sites which might help you -- whether you try to get at them through a web browser or through any other means (like Windows Update). This is more than just a case of Windows Update not working. The malware is blocking any access to websites that might have software that could sniff it out.

Do you have a Windows CD or restore CD?

Hi Jenny
I have the original XP cd that came with the puter. IT has the ID number that came with the system.

That's kind of what I was thinking - that even if you order SP3 by CD, that won't fix whatever problem you have. I found a couple of things that say if you had automatic updates turned off for awhile, there might be a critical security update missing that allowed something to exploit that security hole.

If you want to try, there are several on-line virus scans that could possibly at least identify the issue... Trend-Micro, Norton, Bit Defender and F-Secure are just some of them. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

Other than that, it sounds like you'll have to reformat and reinstall XP.

I have had the same problem with my internet explorer. I got help from the windows blog? I think.

I had to empty my temporary internet files, and to revert (return) every settings to the standard one. You can download (if you have internet access with another computer) a repair? thingie? for Internet Explorer. This will restore the missing register files...

Alternatively, you can try getting rid of AVG. I know this is a very popular anti-virus program, but there seems to be something in one their updates thats blocking access to the internet.

When I un-installed AVG, the problems disappered.

If you have acces to the internet, you can download the Malware Bytes program file, transfer it through a USB-stick to your computer. And then do complete scan.

Great ideas, Karsten. How about trying to access the downloads with another browser, such as Firefox, Cathy?

I got rid of AVG for other reasons, but I've read of other who were having similar problems with accessing certain sites on the internet. Jenny mentioned Microsoft Security Essentials, so I downloaded and installed it. I've read good things about it and have been very happy with it so far.

Hi Drac
I tried to download Microsoft Security Essentials but they want money for a FREE program. Doe's that sound right ? I tried to reinstall XP but it came up with an error. A certain file could not be found. This is the file name.
C:\$WIN_NT$~BT\aguuveyke.sys
I have no idea what the file is for. I haven't used another browser before except Netscape, 10 years ago. I'm still at a loss.

Karsten... I have no problems accessing the internet. I just can't get my microsoft updates page to load.

I downloaded Reg Cure and it found 139 problems but they want money for that program also.
I don't have any extra money right now. Wouldn't Ccleaner do the same thing as Reg Cure ?

Hi Cathy1

Could this be the reason?

"It's available as a no-cost download for Windows XP SP2 and higher, Windows Vista, and Windows 7."
(source:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/products/mse.aspx )

If you have no problems accessing the internet, you should try google's browser 'google chrome'.
You can search directly in the adress line; this will allow you to download (I hope) MS Security Essentials.

And yes, CCleaner would do the same job as Reg Cure?

As for your system disk, there should be an option to Repair your windows installation. Just click next and choose Repair, after you've installed the disk. I think, this option is either option # 2 or # 3 in the menu.

Here's something I've found:

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-5034446.html

that may or may not be related to your problem.

Here's another thing you can try:

http://www.microsoft.com/communities/new...472dc1e&p=1

Note that this last advice will install files in registry. As always, please create a system restore point before trying to alter anything in the registry.

And here's maybe the most help:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/microsof...-wont-load.html

Again, I would advice you to create a system restore point.

I hope you get this sorted out -- soon.

You are at the wrong page for Security Essentials - it is free. This is the correct download page - Microsoft Security Essentials Someone else here went to a page selling Security Essentials which is a rogue program. It is simply called Security Essentials. However, I AM assuming you at least have SP2 on your XP???

Karsten, your second link is similar to one I posted a few posts back about re-registering the update files. And your last link is similar too. Trying these couldn't hurt as this does appear to be a fairly common problem - especially if you haven't been keeping up with security updates.

Regcure is not a free program. CCleaner (when run on the registry) is a light registry cleaner and works fine for most things. Just make sure you are running it on the registry, not just Windows and Applications.

Is that file name spelled right? I can't find anything on it.

Firefox is very easy to download and use. I use it right along with IE. If you want to give it a shot, this is where you can find it - Firefox

I'm still thinking Jenny is correct in that there is something nasty lurking somewhere and until you get rid of it, you will continue to have problems. But a few other attempts before taking the reformat plunge can't hurt.

I think what was suggested before was not a repair install, but actually wiping your drive clean and starting from scratch.