have you tried turning on your auto updates and see if it will get them through the auto updater? in control panel security center automatic updates set it to automatically get and install updates. What do you happen to have it set to currently by the way? you said you have xp but which service pack do you have sp2 or sp3? and you are using IE to go to windows updates right not firefox? Have you tried microsoft updates instead of the windows update? this site explains the differences and how to use them. Windows Update Frequently Asked Questions you can also try using the fix it tool by microsoft to see if it might fix the problem you are having Windows Update and Automatic Update Reset (Fix It) Tool

I get the paid version of Windows Secrets and I would guess you are talking about the article on Windows Genuine Advantage? They should be called on the carpet for making us continue to go through that over and over it is ridiculous, make us do it once and be done with it. I did not see any mention of this last patch Tuesdays updates causing any problems, they do mention the patches for IE and their importance. I have only seen on a few forums some very minor issues but none like this 98 thing. I have run this windows 98 issue by a few MS MVP's and no one has seen or hear of it happening and all want to know the outcome so please arkie62 keep us posted on what you do and your outcomes please. For those who want to view the latest windows secrets here is the link, this however will not contain the paid content, it is an excellent newsletter and well worth subscribing to whether the pay or free version. Here is a link that might be useful: windows secrets newsletter

If I had to move and not have my fios I just don't know what I would do. IT would be a determining factor in where I moved to I can tell you that. I will hopefully never have to leave fios! I have had it since 2005, I was one of the original test houses out here in Texas, I had the big head bosses out here from time to time, I had to call them one day because I lost my connection, I had 5 Verizon cars and trucks in my drive way in less than 15 minutes and several of them were in suits LOL. Found out one of the installers had accidentally disconnected me from the box at the street when he was working on the lines, it was very new then only about a week old. I think the poor guy got fired. That is the only time I have ever lost connection other than of course a power outage. I had DSL before that and it was a constant pain. Dial up was a bad dream.

it is obviously some part of the basic setup that has the issue so any part of office you would have could have the "hole" I have not looked at the specific updates yet so I really don't know what it is patching. Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for September 2008 icrosoft Security Bulletin(s) for September 9, 2008 Note: There may be latency issues due to replication, if the page does not display keep refreshing Today Microsoft released the following Security Bulletin(s). Note: »www.microsoft.com/technet/security and »www.microsoft.com/security are authoritative in all matters concerning Microsoft Security Bulletins! ANY e-mail, web board or newsgroup posting (including this one) should be verified by visiting these sites for official information. Microsoft never sends security or other updates as attachments. These updates must be downloaded from the microsoft.com download center or Windows Update. See the individual bulletins for details. Because some malicious messages attempt to masquerade as official Microsoft security notices, it is recommended that you physically type the URLs into your web browser and not click on the hyperlinks provided. Bulletin Summary: »www.microsoft.com/technet/securi···sep.mspx Critical (4) Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-054 Vulnerability in Windows Media Player Could Allow Remote Code Execution (954154) »www.microsoft.com/technet/securi···054.mspx Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-052 Vulnerabilities in GDI+ Could Allow Remote Code Execution (954593) »www.microsoft.com/technet/securi···052.mspx Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-053 Vulnerability in Windows Media Encoder 9 Could Allow Remote Code Execution (954156) »www.microsoft.com/technet/securi···053.mspx Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-055 Vulnerability in Microsoft Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution (955047) »www.microsoft.com/technet/securi···055.mspx Please note that Microsoft may release bulletins out side of this schedule if we determine the need to do so. If you have any questions regarding the patch or its implementation after reading the above listed bulletin you should contact Product Support Services in the United States at 1-866-PCSafety 1-866-727-2338. International customers should contact their local subsidiary. As always, download the updates only from the vendors website - visit Windows Update and Office Update or Microsoft Update websites. You may also get the updates thru Automatic Updates functionality in Windows system. Security Tool Find out if you are missing important Microsoft product updates by using MBSA. from Microsoft Security Bulletin