There was no Internet Explorer in the system tools folder.

Thanks for the try.

Try using windows explorer without addons.

Click start, programs, accessoiries, system tools, then Internet Explorer (No-Add-ons)

Then navigate to Windows Update

I am having the same issue.  Yesterday morning my computer wouldn't boot, and it shut down and took me to a blue screen that said:

STOP: C0000218 {registry fil error}  The registry cannot load the hive {file} \systemroot\system32\config\software or its log or alternate  It is corrupt, absent or not writeable.  Bigining dump of physical memory.  Physical memory dump complete.  Contact your system administrtor or technical support group for further informay=tion.

I asked the computer guy at work, and he said to use the startup CD that came with my computer and that there would be a repair option.  There wasn't, so I reinstalled Windows XP.  I have also installed drivers for my scanner and printer, MS Office 2000, Norton Internet Security and have redone my connection for my local ISP.  NIS will not connect, and IE doesn't go to certain sites.  Weird!  Do you suppose we have a virus that doesn't want us to go to certain sites so we can't irradicate it?  One of my friends on Facebook says this is happening to him to, and is because of Facebook.

It is VERY frustrating! 

It sounds like you have picked up a virus or some form of spyware that hs done some damage.

You may need to do a system restore

What model computer do you have?

gcallan,

What operating system are you using?

Rick

It is a Dell Dimension 4600 with Intel Pentium 4 processor at 2.8 GHZ.  The OS is Windows XP.  When I ordered it from Dell, I customised it somewhat so would rather not give it up.  Besides, I doubt I ould even buy one with XP.

Is a system restore even possible since I re-installed Windows?  Friday morning I couldn't even get it to boot in safe mode, which is why I did this.  I also tried to restore it to the last known good configuration.

BG Jaycee,

Windows Updates fail to install

Rick