CAN'T DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE UPDATES (WME)

[SDG123]

I need to summarize some points in order to convey my problem, so please bear with me. I have a Dell Dimension 8100 running Windows ME. 2 months after purchase, Dell sent me a floppy disk with a NET BIOS "fix" for ME. I installed it without any problems. Last year, I had occasion to perform a "dirty reinstall" of ME, as advised and talked-through by a Dell Help Desk tech. I was then unable to reinstall the NET BIOS fix, either by the floppy, or via the Dell Support websites, even explicitly following step-by-step procedures provided by Dell. Now, all of a sudden, I can't download software updates from websites. I first noticed the problem when I tried to update my virus definitions using the Intelligent Updater link on the Symantec website (I run Norton AV). I'd never had the slightest problem before. Thinking it may be my copy of Zonealarm that was causing the problem, I deinstalled that, but still couldn't update my definitions. Then, I tried to reinstall Zonealarm via the Zonelabs website and couldn't. So there I was, with no firewall protection or updated virus definitions. Of course, that vulnerability was almost immediately exploited. My spyware detection program found a hijacker. So, I had to take steps to eliminate that. I reinstalled my firewall via CD, so my system is once again, safe, except that I have no idea whether my Norton AV is optimally running. I should also mention that I've been getting a notification for months that there is a critical update I need to perform for IE. I can get as far as downloading the .exe file for the update, but the installation will not complete. When I attempt to download any other software updates, a tiny little icon appears in the upper left corner of the white portion of my display. It is a box with a red square, blue triangle, and green dot inside it (or something similar). The word "Done" appears next to the IE icon in the bar at the bottom left of the screen. I'm still stuck with the inability to download updates off the internet, and I need some advice on how to determine the cause and resolve it. Once I do that, maybe I can update my virus definitions. Dell can't help, my ISP (COMCAST) can't help, and Microsoft wants to charge me. Does anyone out there have any suggestions? Is this perhaps a Java issue?

Scott

<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by SDG123 on 02/17/04 07:56.</FONT></P>