ActiveX problems accessing Windows Update 2

[J741]

Windows XP Home edition. Boot to 'Safe Mode with Networking'. Open Internet Explorer. Browse to

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Recieve message indicating 'your current security settings prohibit running activex controls on this page'. As a result of this, I can not check for any Windows Updates.

I have checked Internet Explorer's security setings, set all zones to 'default', added '

http://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com'

and '

http://*.windowsupdate.com'

to the 'trusted' zone, and even tried changing all zones to 'low' security settings, but I still get the same ActiveX message when trying to browse to '

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com'.

I have also tried this when not in 'safe mode', logged in as a regular user, but the result is the same.

I had removed many virii from this computer (by checking the hard drive on another, clean, PC), and a lot of adware has been removed (using AdAware). I have also restored the 'host' file from the original files on the Windows XP CD, but the problem remains.

Any one have any other ideas about this?

- James.

 

[bcastner]

Launch Internet Explorer.
1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2. Click the Security tab.
3. In the Select a Web content zone to specify its security settings box, click Internet.
4. Under Security level for this zone, if the security level is set to High, move the slider down to Medium.
If it is not possible for security concerns to move the slider to Medium, then follow these steps:
1. Under Security level for this zone, click Custom Level. The Security Settings dialog box appears.
2. Under the ActiveX controls and plug-ins subsection Download signed ActiveX controls, click either Enable or Disable.
3. The computer will still be protected from unwanted intrusions while allowing legitimate program operations to proceed.
4. Click OK to close the Security Settings dialog box. Click Yes if prompted to confirm the change.
5. Click Apply, and then OK to close the Internet Options dialog box.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;

[LN];174360
How to Use Security Zones in Internet Explorer

 

[J741]

Thanks Bill, but I already did all that.

Any other thoughts?

- James.

 

[bcastner]

In stubborn cases, I recommend following the steps in this link.

http://www.updatexp.com/0x800A138F.html

And if that provides no joy, a reinstall of IE.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/repair_reinstall_ie_and_oe_6.htm

 

[J741]

Thanks bill. Re-installing IE6sp1 solved the problem. I should've thought of that sooner. It's amazing the things one can forget so easily.

- James.

 

[bcastner]

Nice job, J741,
Glad you go the issue sorted.

Sorry about the reinstall, but sometimes that is all you can do.

Bill