SOLVED unable to get to windows update

[kyussinchains]

After scroogling a minute I came up with either the MS fixit which essentially resets IE with the option of reinstalling it OR your av has modified the hosts file in which case it needs a reset, another ms fixit.
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6132_102-401569.html
Let us know if you fix it.
I had that problem once. Can't remember how I resolved it though.

thanks for the link, unfortunately the fixit didn't help....

however I ran combofix and that picked up a rootkit and removed it, I can now access windows update again (currently installing 50+ updates that I've missed)

Thanks to everyone for their help and advice, especially Ratbuddy!

 

[madhatter256]

I'd still run Winsock XP fix just in case some files were not reverted back...