Windows Update Error number: 0x80090305
System: Laptop, P4, 2.8GHz, 512MB, 40GB, Windows XP Pro - SP2 (OEM)
About 3 weeks ago, I noticed that I was no longer able to log into Windows Update (ref above error number, which displays). Similarly, I am unable to log into any secure website using Internet Explorer (like Yahoo Mail, Hotmail, or for that matter, even MSN Messenger). When I attempt to login, the web page AND the system freezes for about 4-5 minutes (I can hear/see the hard-disk working furiously) and then, displays a ?page not found? error. I have Norton IS 2005 with Antispyware running and I check/install updates everyday. Virus scans also show up negative and my quarantines are clean. Basically, I practice safe computing and am very careful with email attachments, unknown files across the network, etc.
The kicker is that when I use my Firefox browser, I am easily able to log into and access all these very same secure sites! However, Microsoft does not allow me to use Firefox to update Windows, so there?s my quandary! I do know there have been some Win updates in Dec 2005, so am now a little concerned that I might be vulnerable to malicious attacks without these updates, apart from the annoyance of not being able to use IE to check mail, or MSN Messenger (am on the Internet a lot). I am also not sure what else is unstable in my system, as a result of this problem.
I really, really don?t want to do a re-install of Windows as I have a lot of interconnected devices that sync with my laptop - network, cellphone, Palm PDA, etc. and a bunch of other software. So, can someone suggest a solution to my problem or atleast point me in the right direction. Any help in this regard would be most appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.
System: Laptop, P4, 2.8GHz, 512MB, 40GB, Windows XP Pro - SP2 (OEM)
About 3 weeks ago, I noticed that I was no longer able to log into Windows Update (ref above error number, which displays). Similarly, I am unable to log into any secure website using Internet Explorer (like Yahoo Mail, Hotmail, or for that matter, even MSN Messenger). When I attempt to login, the web page AND the system freezes for about 4-5 minutes (I can hear/see the hard-disk working furiously) and then, displays a ?page not found? error. I have Norton IS 2005 with Antispyware running and I check/install updates everyday. Virus scans also show up negative and my quarantines are clean. Basically, I practice safe computing and am very careful with email attachments, unknown files across the network, etc.
The kicker is that when I use my Firefox browser, I am easily able to log into and access all these very same secure sites! However, Microsoft does not allow me to use Firefox to update Windows, so there?s my quandary! I do know there have been some Win updates in Dec 2005, so am now a little concerned that I might be vulnerable to malicious attacks without these updates, apart from the annoyance of not being able to use IE to check mail, or MSN Messenger (am on the Internet a lot). I am also not sure what else is unstable in my system, as a result of this problem.
I really, really don?t want to do a re-install of Windows as I have a lot of interconnected devices that sync with my laptop - network, cellphone, Palm PDA, etc. and a bunch of other software. So, can someone suggest a solution to my problem or atleast point me in the right direction. Any help in this regard would be most appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.
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