Windows Xp Update halts/prevents connectivity :(

This is an odd one, and I hope there is a fix.

Yesterday, I saw a bubble on my task bar advising that I had "windows updates" ready to install. I am running xp home edition. I close my programs, and install the updates. I am then prompted to reboot for the instalation to take effect. So, I reboot.

Upon reboot, I cannot connect to my email (outlook express) or the internet either via IE nor Firefox. Hmmm. I contact my provider who says something about windows releasing a volnerable patch(?) or something. I am told that a quick fix would be to perform system restore. I perform a system restore, and I have connectivity again. However, the updates bubble keeps coming back, and every time I install them, I cannot connect without doing another system restore.

I apologize in advance if this topic has already been aired, but I cannot seem to figure out a way to fix what I really don't know what is broken. Does that make sense?

Thank you for any hope/direction.

 

what firewall do you use? i read on bbc the other day how zonealarm uses have problems connecting after installing the latest updates, and that they should try turning settings to medium temporarily.

 

Thank You, this helped me as I am having the same problem!

Noel1cent

 

ah thats good, didnt realise the fix was out already

 

Thank you Halo, for coming to my rescue again.

As I post, I am currently downloading the .exe file from your first link posted. I believe I get my daily windows-update-bubble around 3:00AM. I am confident that I will be back to normal.

Thanks again.

 

My download for the Zone Alarm updates is complete. I didn't do the full instalation, but opted for the update. It asked me to reboot, and I did. Upon reboot, I saw my windows-update bubble is back. I enabled the update for windows, but it didn't ask me to reboot after the update was complete. So far, so good.