WinXP Update failure

[magicdog]

I have a P4 HP laptop with WinXP Home and recently I've been unable to use the Windows Update site.

I get the following message:

"Your current security settings prohibit running ActiveX controls on this page. As a result, the page may not display correctly."

I have reset all the ActiveX and Scripting settings (IE6) to minimum but it still fails.

I also have a problem with Norton AV (2003) which I tried to install - after installation, the program won't run and the taskbar icon isn't displaying to show protection.

My first thought was virus/spyware/adware/trojan etc. so I ran The Cleaner, SpyBot, SpyRemover, AdAware and did a disk cleanup, cleared the cookies, temp. folders etc. etc.

Still no joy.

Can anyone help me with this - it's doing my head in!

TIA

[andyms18a]

can you press ctrl alt delete and on the processes tab list the runing processes for us and any programs that start with windows as well

[magicdog]

Hi andyms18a - thanks for the help.

These are listed in the processes:

ctfmon.exe
svchost.exe
mdm.exe
HPWirelessMgr.exe
HPConfig.exe
alg.exe
spoolsv.exe
explorer.exe
lsass.exe
services.exe
winlogon.exe
taskmgr.exe
csrss.exe
smss.exe
System
System Idle Process

In the applications:

NOTHING!

For your information, I have already followed the advice from Norton to remove all programs from start-up and remove and re-install but still it won't run.

Thanks.

[andyms18a]

hi magicdog
you dont seam to have any bad programs loading mdm.exe dont nead to load at startup my first idea wood be to try a system restor to a point be for you instaled norton then try to update windows and get a new av program like avg free for life from http://www.grisoft.com/ if the system restore dont fix it or is not turnd on you may have to get the norton removal tool from http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...01092114452606

[magicdog]

OK - I don't have many restore points left because I had to turn off the system restore when I scanned for certain viruses.

The Windows Update still won't work and I've tried loads of suggestions from the Microsoft Site on this subject.
There doesn't seem to be any direct answers to the question about ActiveX except to lower the security settings in IE6 which I've tried.

This is driving me MAD!

Thanks for the help so far.

[andyms18a]

check out this link it may help allso have you tryed the norton removal tool yet ?http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...e=&svy=&csm=no

[magicdog]

I've run Norton removal tool completely and no joy - after re-installing Norton it still wont run.

I think you're misunderstanding the two symptoms I've got - the ActiveX message only appears while trying to access the Windows Update website.

HTH

[stylin19]

I'm thinking you may have to go into
Internet explorer\tools\internet options
select security then custom level.

there are various actions for different types of activex controls & scripts.
you may haveone or a few set as disabled. you need to determine if changing them to "enabled" or "prompt" is ok for you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

or

I'm not sure this would work, but you might be able to get around it by adding\enabling these in the trusted sites zone.
http://*.windowsupdate.com , http://download.microsoft.com, http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com , https://download.microsoft.com, and
http://*.windowsupdate.com

not much....good luck

[magicdog]

Thanks stylin19 - I have already tried both your suggestions with no success.

I seem to have something on this laptop which is causing these problems.

[magicdog]

Bump... anyone?

[stylin19]

sorry to hear you are still having troubles.
long shot, here...

Is it possible that the windows update class control is corrupt or needs to be updated ?

you can right click and select properties on the activex control "Update class" located in \windows\downloaded programs.

here's a link to an ms article: update class

though it is for win98/me, it mentions winxp in the body of the article and it may apply here. Also note the additional information articles.


not much....good luck