Windows update problem

Thanks for your response. Unfortunately, your suggestion didn't work. I tried to update through the link under Start/All Programs and through the link on the Tools menu on IE and then through your link. In all cases I get taken to the Microsoft update page, click on either of the options (Express or Custom) and in all cases I get taken to the page that I indicated in my original message. I also tried it with Automatic Updates turned on and turned off.

Any other suggestions?

msaltz,

Did you attempt to get there through the Windows Update link under Tools in Internet Explorer? See if clicking this link produces the desired result.

msaltz:

Dell has partnered with Google, and has seemingly invented a whole host of new ways to redirect your browser to its site. Here is what they say on that link you gave:

"This page is meant to provide you with helpful related content, including web search results and paid advertisements, based on the meaning of the web address/keyword query that you typed. This program can be uninstalled from the Control Panel Add/Remove Programs. Look for the application named "Browser Address Error Redirector". Older versions may be called "GoogleAFE".

See if those instructions help- and good luck!

I haven't been able to figure out what program listed in Add/Remove Software it might be. The wording of the two things you suggested aren't listed. The only two specific Google programs are Google Desktop and Google Toolbar for IE. I've never had any trouble with the Google Toolbar on any other computer that I have. However, I have never run Google Desktop and so have no idea what to expect from it. But there are lots of other programs listed there that I know nothing about such as, Wild Tangent, URL Assistant, Search Assist, and Otto. Do you?

The 'URL Assistant' is likely the culprit redirecting your browser, and I wouldn't hesitate to uninstall it it in Add/Remove. Same for "Search assist"

I don't have Google Desktop, and see no need for it. The Google Toolbar has caused problems for many that was solved by uninstalling. You can always get it back from Google's website, without losing anything.

Wild Tangent is responsible for some of the preloaded junk games such as Otto. It is a rather benign form of adware, but I dumped both. (This didn't remove any of the MS games like Solitaire, FreeCell, or Hearts).

After uninstalling the above, reboot and see if you still have that problem.

[Edit] The following link shows what one Dell user found useful in cleaning out the preinstalled junk on an E150, as a guide:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=48490

Message Edited by joe53 on 04-14-200609:19 AM

Thank you for your help. For some inexplicable reason the problem solved itself. This evening, Trend Micro, which came pre-installed on the computer notified me that there were Windows updates available (as if I didn't know), it tooke me to the Windows update site, and everything went fine. I have no idea why this worked, but it did and the problem has been solved.

On the other hand, the other information in your reply was very helpful (including the link to notebookreviews.com) and I've taken much of the advice on that link.

So thanks again for your help.