Can not access ms update or windows update

I have done a search for solutions on the MS website with no luck. I found others with the problem on a Google search, but no fixes were posted.

System (Optiplex 760, XP SP3, IE8, TrendMicro Intenet Security) has been working "flawlessly" since 2/2009 turn-up.  Firewall is via TrendMicro; Windows Firewall is turned off.

Problem details:

1. If I try to access windows update or MS update, I get a screen that says "Internet Explorer cannot display the web page". I can access virtually anywebsite except ms update or windows update.

2. When I reboot the PC, it no longer gets an ipaddress from my router.  I can force it with the DOS command "net start dhcp client". Other 2 PC on the router work fine. Same router and home network config since 2/2009.

3. Other quirks: At times I get a Visual C++ runtime error when viewing pictures within items on a website.  I also get TrendMicor warnings of "SYSTEM" trying to access the internet.

 

When& how did this start?

On 5/27/10, I was viewing an item on my favorite car club website (used for 5+ years), when I got a pop-up asking me to install an AcitveX control.  I clicked "no",  for many reasons, including the car club website doesn't require ActiveX controls.  During the IE8 session, I noticed that MS had sent me an indication that updates were ready for download. 

Because of the ActiveX message, I decided to reboot my PC before any further use.  After reboot, the MS "updates are waiting" icon disappeared, and the problem accessing ms update began.  Upon a second reboot, the ipaddress problem began (DOS command ipconfig showed ip address was all zeros).

Note that typing windows update or ms update as one word (as in the URL), will cause google or even this message when submitted, to result in the "Internet Explorer cannot display the web page". screen.

I was even able to access the regular windows website and download some updates, including a malicious s/w removal tool.  I ran that tool; it found nothing.  Following the link on MS to ms update results in the same "Internet Explorer cannot display the web page" screen.

Fixes tried:

I ran memtest86+ to check for bad memory - checks out OK

This feels like a firewall problem, so I uninstalled TrendMicro - same problems

In case something slipped by TrendMicor, I installed and ran Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and ran a full scan - no problems found

I added windows update to "trusted sites" in the TrendMicro firewall - same problems

I don't use IE add-ons, but just in case I ran IE8 without add-ons - same problem

 

Any help/suggestions/hints are welcome.

 

Frank